Fibrocystin Is Essential to Cellular Control of Adhesion and Epithelial Morphogenesis.

Mutations of the gene cause autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). encodes fibrocystin/polyductin (FPC), a ciliary type I membrane protein of largely unknown function, suggested to affect adhesion signaling of cells. Contributions of epithelial cell adhesion and contractility to the disease process are elusive.

Repurposing N,N'-bis-(arylamidino)-1,4-piperazinedicarboxamidines: An unexpected class of potent inhibitors of cholinesterases.

Drug repurposing (=drug repositioning) is an effective way to cut costs for the development of new therapeutics and to reduce the time-to-market time-span. Following this concept a small library of compounds was screened for their ability to act as inhibitors of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase. Picloxydine, an established antiseptic, was shown to be an inhibitor for both enzymes.