Nobel Prize in chemistry goes to two Israeli researchers, American for discoveries of how cells give "kiss of death"

Two Israelis and an American won the Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for showing how cells can give a "kiss of death" to destroy unwanted proteins, a finding that could help scientists find new medicines for cancer and other diseases. The award marks the first time an Israeli has won a Nobel science prize.

Israelis Aaron Ciechanover and Avram Hershko, and American Irwin Rose were cited for revealing a process that gives doomed proteins a chemical label and then chops them up.

That process in turn governs such key tasks as cell division, DNA repair and quality control of newly produced proteins, the Royal Swedish Academy of Science said in awarding the prize. If it goes wrong, diseases like cervical cancer can result, the academy said.

All three will share the $1.3 million cash prize for their work, done in the 1980s.

Ciechanover is a visiting professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he has spent a portion of each year since 1987.

He is the 23rd Nobel Laureate associated with Washington University.

"My association with Washington University, which I consider to be my second home, has contributed greatly to my research," Ciechanover says. "My association with the faculty there has been very fruitful, and I look forward to working with them in the coming years as well."

•	Nobel Prize in chemistry goes to two Israeli researchers, American for discoveries of how cells give "kiss of death" Associated Press State & Local Wire, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004 Byline: Matt Moore

•	3 win chemistry Nobel for cell work St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004 Byline: Matt Moore, Associated Press

•	2 Israelis and an American Share Nobel in Chemistry New York Times, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004 Byline: Terrence Neilan

	Story also ran in 3 others:  Chicago Tribune, USA Today and Kansas City Star