A new study has established a framework for measuring protein glycosylation, a process critical to the development of safe and effective antibody-based drugs. By pooling data from various labs, researchers have created consensus estimates of glycan composition, shedding light on the variability in measurement techniques.
A study published in the Journal of Lipid Research found that just a few days of sleep deprivation can affect how the body metabolizes fat from food. The researchers gave participants a high-fat dinner while they were sleep-restricted, and found that their bodies cleared the fat faster than those who had plenty of sleep.
Twelve emerging scientists from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Spain, and Uruguay have won PROLAB travel grants to collaborate with top researchers in the US, Canada, and Spain. They will work on various projects, including reproductive biology, neuronal proteostasis regulation, exercise-induced mood changes, and cancer progression.
Researchers have identified a specific rice immune receptor that can trigger immune reactions in response to multiple fungal proteins, paving the way for disease-resistant rice crops. Gene-editing technologies could be used to precisely insert genes into rice plants, overcoming issues with linkage drag and enhancing disease resistance.
Researchers explore new tools and strategies to interpret multiomics data, revealing insights into bacterial strains and cancer phenotypes.
Twelve scientists have been recognized by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for their significant contributions to biochemistry, molecular biology, and education. The award winners include Paul Black, Manajit Hayer-Hartl, Jean Schaffer, Edward Dennis, Yang Zhang, David Pagliarini, Kevin Campbell, among others.
Researchers discovered an endometrial receptor that recognizes sperm molecules, allowing them to survive and potentially increasing fertility rates. This 'secret handshake' interaction may adjust the female's immune response and help sperm overcome the leukocytic reaction.
DNA damaged by cisplatin is mostly fixed within two circadian cycles in noncancerous tissue, with repair of transcribed genes dominating the first 48 hours. This knowledge could aid the design of successful chronochemotherapies to reduce toxicity and target cancer cells.
Parkin's activity depends on recruitment and activation by proteins such as PINK1 and MITOL. The discovery of MITOL's role in tagging damaged mitochondria could lead to improved therapies for Parkinson's disease.
A Brazilian research team developed a new strategy to slow the growth of triple negative breast cancer cells by cutting them off from two major food sources: fatty acids and glutamine. The study found that inhibiting both metabolic pathways slowed the growth and migration of resistant TNBC cells.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute identify key molecules supporting lung cancer cell survival, demonstrating simultaneous inhibition of two signaling pathways. This approach could aid in designing drugs that selectively attack multiple proteins, beneficial for managing certain tumors.
A new diagnostic tool has been developed to detect ovarian cancer earlier, with high sensitivity and specificity rates. The test uses liquid biopsy proteomics to identify unique protein signatures in uterine fluid, promising improved detection rates for young women at high risk of developing the disease.
Researchers engineered T cell receptors that can specifically stick to cells infected with cytomegalovirus, offering a new potential treatment option. These receptors could aid in developing CMV vaccines and target brain tumors.
A recent study published in the Journal of Lipid Research found that the protein makeup of HDL particles plays a crucial role in their ability to predict heart health. The research, led by Nathalie Pamir, identified genetic variants linked to cholesterol efflux capacity and proteins associated with HDL's activity.
Researchers at Ohio State University have found that tau protein aggregates in Alzheimer's disease can grow by joining end-to-end, forming longer filaments. This discovery helps explain the formation of toxic aggregates and may inform the development of new drug candidates.
Researchers use a novel database on the neutrophil proteome to make genetic diagnoses for two children with severe congenital neutropenia whom typical sequencing had failed. The technique combines proteomic and genomic screening, which shows huge potential for personalized medicine at low cost.
Cyanobacteria assemble intricate carboxysomes to concentrate carbon dioxide, improving RubisCO efficiency. Researchers discovered that CcmM binds to RubisCO enzymes in a non-traditional manner.
A recent study found that a long-mysterious PCSK9 mutation leads to heart disease by disrupting the interaction between PCSK9 and the LDL receptor. The researchers discovered that a specific sugar chain, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, plays a crucial role in this interaction.
Research identifies GM3S and GM3 ganglioside as crucial for intestinal cholesterol uptake, offering a new therapeutic target for reducing high blood cholesterol. A high-cholesterol diet-fed mouse model with deficient GM3S shows lower susceptibility to high blood cholesterol.
Researchers at Boston University have made significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying HDL formation. They discovered a crucial interaction between apolipoprotein A-I and ABCA1 proteins, which enables the formation of nascent HDL particles.
A protein thought to be inert actually helps protect the lens of the eye from cataract formation. The protein's disulfide bond can drive damaged proteins to aggregate, leading to clouding and cataracts.
Scientists have discovered intricate glycan structures in royal jelly, a substance believed to influence honeybee development. These findings challenge previous assumptions and may lead to a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between glycosylated proteins and signaling pathways.
A new study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry has identified a human RNA molecule called nc886 as a potent activator of the innate immune system. The RNA molecule's ability to turn on protein OAS sets off a chain of events that destroys viruses.
Acetaminophen's breakdown product activates glutathionylation, affecting mitochondrial energy production and leading to metabolic dysfunction. This discovery explains the drug's toxicity at high doses and may apply to other drugs with similar structures.
Researchers used statistical tools to analyze data from 55 studies on dietary oils and found seed oils, such as sunflower oil and flaxseed oil, perform best in improving cholesterol. However, there are caveats, including the study only measured blood lipids and may not be applicable to clinical outcomes.
Comparing nocturnal and diurnal rodents helps scientists understand a human eye disease. Researchers found that cone-dominant animals have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which may explain why rod cells are not affected by mutation to PUFA synthesis genes.
Salmonella bacteria produce proteins that mimic DNA and target specific immune response genes, leaving others untouched. This precise mechanism allows the bacteria to fine-tune the host's immune system.
A team of researchers investigated influenza A's impact on lung-derived cell lines, discovering that the virus alters protein levels and locations. The study found that many proteins are relocalized, with viral and ribosomal proteins increasing in autophagosomes.
A recent study published in Molecular and Cellular Proteomics found that men should have frequent sex around the time of ovulation to improve their chances of conception. The research suggests that longer periods of abstinence can cause DNA damage in sperm, negatively impacting fertility rates.
Two recent studies reveal that mitochondrial proteins are broken down more quickly in fatty liver cells, reducing their activity. Meanwhile, liver cells with fatty liver disease show signs of overworking, using triglycerides instead of glucose to make energy and increasing reactive oxygen byproducts, which can damage proteins.
Researchers identify glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as the protein responsible for delivering heme, a toxic yet essential molecule, to target proteins in cells. This discovery provides insights into how heme is transported and could contribute to understanding diseases such as anemias and asthma.
Researchers at NCATS developed a new system to accelerate the discovery of chemical compounds that inhibit NSD2, an enzyme implicated in multiple cancers. The team tested over 16,000 compounds and identified 44 promising inhibitors.
Researchers identify key host-virus protein interactions that enable Zika to evade immune signaling and proliferate. The study provides insight into the viral life cycle and potential targets for antiviral drugs.
Researchers developed a protocol to isolate dopaminergic neurons from stem cells, improving cell-replacement therapy outcomes. The study found that transplanted cells with the contactin 2 protein exhibited better dopamine release and reduced motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease models.
Researchers found that high-fat diets suppressed a protein called TIGAR, which plays a role in meiotic spindle formation and antioxidant production. This led to increased reactive oxygen species and autophagy in oocytes, impairing development.
A recent study published in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics has uncovered changes in TB strains that make them vulnerable to other antibiotics. The research also reveals a potential target for developing new drugs against isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis.
Researchers identify structure of ultra-long-chain lipid in tear film, which plays crucial role in vision. The finding may lead to improved treatments for dry eye by creating a better match with human tears.
Researchers have discovered that adding a fucose-based supplement to the diet could capture noroviruses and prevent them from infecting cells. Fucoidan, a compound found in seaweed, tightly binds to the virus protein and has shown promise as a potential treatment for norovirus infections.
Lysosomal phospholipase A2, a unique enzyme, interacts with various substrates and modifies phospholipids. Researchers identified Asp13 as a crucial catalytic residue contributing to the enzyme's properties. In contrast, a study on chronic kidney disease found no strong correlation between HDL protein content and cardiovascular risk.
Researchers used proteomics to study the basic biology of Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and listeriosis. They found that BACE1 inhibition increases amyloid precursor protein and other substrates in Alzheimer's, while butyrate activates mitochondrial oxidation and suppresses tumor growth in colorectal cancer cells.
Scientists have identified a protein called SIRT7 that protects cells against senescence by keeping certain genes turned off. This function is crucial for preventing age-related deterioration and could lead to therapies targeting cellular senescence.
Scientists have discovered a specific sulfate pattern on the cell's surface that allows misfolded tau protein to enter cells, leading to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Understanding this process could lead to new therapies to halt disease progression.
Twelve scientists were recognized with prestigious ASBMB awards, including the ASBMB Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education, ASBMB-Merck Award, and Earl and Thressa Stadtman Scholar Award. The winners are known for their groundbreaking research in biochemistry and molecular biology.
A tumor suppressor protein called Arl11 has been found to play a crucial role in the functioning of the immune system, particularly in detecting and destroying pathogens. By initiating a signaling cascade, Arl11 helps macrophages to engulf bacteria and release signaling molecules that activate other immune cells.
Researchers at Karolinska Institute found that including dying cells in protein analysis improves target identification for cancer drugs. They also identified proteins upregulated in all detached and dying cells, which may be promising chemotherapeutic targets.
Researchers investigated brown fat cells after whitening, finding they are more likely to die than white adipocytes. Whitened fat tissue also shows increased inflammation and macrophages. The ketogenic diet regulates metabolites but not brain levels, suggesting changes in plasma metabolism may not always cross the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers have identified a disproportionate number of sialic acid-containing glycans in lancehead viper venom, which may aid in venom solubility and increase toxin half-life. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective antivenom treatments for snake envenoming.
Researchers have discovered that disruptions in iron-sulfur cluster formation can lead to the buildup of fat droplets in cells, a hallmark of conditions like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The study provides clues about the biochemical causes of these diseases and may help researchers find new targets for treatment.
Researchers from Israel and Japan collaborated to diagnose a child with an ultra-rare genetic disease caused by a mutation in the EPT1 gene, which is essential for making myelin in the normal brain. The team found that the disease affects PE production, leading to reduced plasmalogen synthesis, but not enough to prevent myelin damage.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found an enzyme that breaks down plasmalogens, a phospholipid abundant in the heart and brain, shedding light on their role in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions.