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'Blink' and you won't miss amyloids

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis create 'blink' method to image amyloids, allowing for non-invasive visualization of these problematic proteins. The technique uses temporary fluorescence, causing amyloids to flash and enabling researchers to better understand their structure and behavior.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalChemBioChem·DateAug 30, 2018

Drug reduces deaths and hospitalizations from underdiagnosed form of heart failure

A phase three clinical trial has shown that tafamidis can reduce deaths by 30% and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations by 32%. The treatment also slows the decline in quality of life among patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. If approved, it would be the first medical therapy for this life-threatening disease.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 27, 2018

Chemists develop tools to reduce pesticide impact

Researchers have developed tools to break down pesticides in the environment using catalytic amyloids. The discovery shows that these molecules can facilitate multiple chemical transformations at once, offering a promising approach for OP detoxification. Catalytic amyloids have been shown to hydrolyze paraoxon by several thousand-fold.

Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes: Hope for inhibitors against amyloid plaques

Scientists at TUM have discovered a new class of designed macrocyclic peptides that are highly potent inhibitors of amyloid formation, which could be an alternative to current antibody-based approaches. The researchers are now planning further investigations to verify their effectiveness in in vivo models.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 7, 2018

Proteomics studies on the basic biology of Alzheimer's, cancer and listeriosis

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.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateJul 18, 2018

Can aspirin treat Alzheimer's?

A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that low-dose aspirin may reduce plaques in the brain by stimulating lysosomes and increasing the activity of TFEB, a protein responsible for waste removal. This could lead to improved treatment options for Alzheimer's disease.

Substance found in grapes prevents agglomeration of a mutant protein that leads to cancer

Researchers found that resveratrol inhibits mutant p53 protein aggregation, preventing breast cancer cell migration and proliferation. This breakthrough could lead to a treatment for over half of malignant tumors, targeting novel strategic targets in cancer research.

The genome guardian turns to the dark side: Opportunity for drug discovery against cancer?

A research group has developed a new technique to study the behavior of p53 conformers, which are prone to forming amyloid aggregates that contribute to cancer development. The approach allows researchers to observe these conformers before they aggregate, providing potential tools for understanding and blocking their formation.

SourcePublicase International·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 31, 2018

Antibody removes Alzheimer's plaques, in mice

Researchers at WashU Medicine have developed an antibody that targets APOE protein, leading to the removal of amyloid plaques from mouse brains. This breakthrough could potentially halt brain damage triggered by plaques in early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 26, 2018

A protein that self-replicates

Researchers at ETH Zurich have made a groundbreaking discovery that protein amyloids can self-replicate, challenging the long-held RNA hypothesis as the origin of life. The findings suggest that early life forms may have used amyloids as information carriers and catalytic units.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 27, 2018

Protein-folding simulations sped up

A new algorithm can speed up protein-folding simulations, allowing researchers to model phenomena that were previously out of reach. This technique can help scientists better understand and treat diseases like Alzheimer's, which is associated with amyloid-beta protein fragments forming hard plaques that disrupt neurons.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateDec 5, 2017