Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered a new mechanism within human cells that constantly protects us against disease.

A researcher at the OHSU Oregon National Primate Research Center The work, P. Michael Conn, Ph.D., directed the research and it has been reported in the Feb. 15 issue of the journal,

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Explained Conn," Cells communicate with each other by releasing chemical signals, like hormones. These chemical signals are detected and received by structures called ''receptors'' which reside

in the outer membranes of other cells. Sometimes environmental toxins or radiation can cause mutations in these receptors. When this happens, these mutant receptors make errors - they may

activate unexpectedly or fail to activate at all - and this behavior results in disease."

Conn and his colleague Jody Janovick, B.S., R.Ph. a senior research associate discovered that when certain receptors, called G-protein coupled receptors, become "constitutively activated" by

mutation, they are naturally detected by a mechanism in the body and targeted for destruction so they cannot cause disease.

Conn further added," Unfortunately, the mechanism cannot detect all of these faulty receptors, meaning that the system is important, but not perfect."

G-protein coupled receptors are the largest class of drug-development targets used by pharmaceutical companies. So this discovery is important. (With Input from Agencies)