Articles tagged with Biomolecules
Researchers have developed a method to enrich plant-based foods with essential amino acids using microorganisms, making them more nutritious for humans and animals. This method has the potential to alleviate malnutrition in low-income countries and reduce nitrogen emissions from agriculture.
A newly developed drug molecule binds to its target protein by causing it to change shape, creating an unusually snug fit. The molecule's unusual binding strategy offers a new approach to drug design and may provide a starting point for developing a new cancer treatment.
Researchers from The University of Osaka have discovered the first structure of a pufferfish umami taste receptor, which can detect a surprisingly wide range of amino acids, including both L- and D-amino acids. This breakthrough could lead to new taste experiences for humans and improve the development of umami flavors.
Scientists at Salk Institute create first microprotein atlas of human frontal cortex with and without Alzheimer's disease, identifying 1,067 new microproteins and a potential link to immune cell dysfunction in Alzheimer's. The atlas provides a system for investigating microproteins in aging and neurodegeneration, bringing scientists cl...
A new protein language model, CLSS, brings together sequence and structure information to produce cohesive maps of protein relationships. The model successfully integrated sequence and structure data, reproducing expert-curated classifications and demonstrating strong performance in classification tests.
Researchers explore activating SLC transporters to treat brain disorders, including epilepsy, autism, and Alzheimer's, by regulating neurotransmitter and energy balance. Gene therapies also target SLC deficiencies in neurodevelopmental disorders.
A team of researchers has shed light on the mechanism of outer membrane protein assembly in bacteria, revealing key conformational changes made by a chaperone protein. The study's findings may help identify new targets for antibacterial agents and improve our understanding of Gram-negative bacteria's resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers created a predictive model called enzyme-gated network expansion to understand the earliest stages of enzyme evolution. The model predicts that α/β folds were predominant in early enzymes, driving metabolic reactions.
Researchers found that meal timing programs the liver's daily rhythms and can have serious metabolic and health consequences when out of sync. The liver uses food signals to activate metabolic pathways, which can conflict with the body's natural circadian clock, leading to health issues.
A study by Goethe University and Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt has found that seminal fluid can facilitate infection of skin cells with the monkeypox virus. The researchers discovered that protein fragments in seminal fluid form fibers that promote attachment of the virus to human cells, increasing the risk of transmission through sexu...
Research identifies aberrant ERBB4 expression in excitatory neurons as an early driver of Alzheimer's disease pathologies, including neuronal hyperactivity, synapse loss, and cognitive decline. Manipulating ERBB4 expression in mouse models reveals its role in driving disease features, including reactive gliosis and amyloid buildup.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a new delivery vehicle for circular RNA (cirRNA) using a novel lipid nanoparticle, FL0445-LNP, which improves the stability and efficacy of mRNA-based therapeutics. The technology has potential applications in cancer vaccines, genome editing, and protein supplements.
Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo and Kyoto University created hierarchical DNA networks using DNA polymerase and kinesin nanomachines. The study demonstrates the importance of active molecular motion in network formation, a step toward materials that assemble and organize themselves like living systems.
A new book by University of Virginia Health System expert Daniel J. Cox outlines a practical alternative to medication for managing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The GEM program emphasizes smart eating, physical activity, and listening to the body to regulate blood sugar levels.
Researchers at Salk Institute develop novel 'dye-cycling' strategy to measure RNA polymerase movement along DNA with unprecedented lengths of time. This breakthrough provides critical mechanical insights into how genes are transcribed in cells, shedding light on the fundamental processes of life.
A comprehensive review of nanobiochar reveals its potential to address multiple agricultural challenges simultaneously, including nutrient retention, water holding capacity, and stress tolerance. The study highlights the need for careful risk assessment and regulatory frameworks to ensure safe deployment in sustainable farming systems.
Researchers found that each of three mosquito species has its own type, driven by human body chemistry, and prefers a different subset of people. This discovery could lead to novel strategies to combat vector-borne diseases.
Researchers discovered that bacteriophages play a critical role in distributing nutrients, promoting microbial diversity, and supporting gut health by releasing vitamin B12. The study found that phage infection is necessary for B12 release, and the nutrient specifically drives growth in dependent microbes.
Researchers found specific combinations of blood proteins from western diamondback rattlesnakes provided unprecedented neutralizing power against multiple dangerous snake species. Combining several FETUA proteins dramatically increased ability to neutralize venom's damaging effects.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discover 'condenzymes,' inherent catalytic activities of biomolecular condensates, which contribute to biochemical functions in cells. The study shows that condensates can catalyze reactions such as esterolysis and hydrolysis, challenging the idea that they are merely bystanders in cells.
Researchers developed an AI platform, PeptiVerse, to predict key properties of peptides, enabling early assessment of drug potential. The open-source platform allows users to evaluate ordinary and chemically modified peptides, streamlining the discovery process.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Chinese University of Hong Kong created TD3B, an AI framework guiding peptide generation toward candidates predicted to have a desired effect. The tool predicts binding likelihood and determines activation or deactivation of associated cellular machinery.
A team of geographers and climate scientists found that major drought in Samoa and Tonga forced Polynesians to migrate east into the Pacific. Climate modeling revealed increased rainfall in receiving islands and a shift in sea surface temperatures, creating powerful incentives for people to seek new opportunities.
Researchers have developed custom-designed proteins called WRAPs that can surround membrane proteins, shielding their hydrophobic surfaces and allowing them to remain soluble in water. This breakthrough enables the study of previously inaccessible membrane proteins, such as those found in syphilis bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Warwick and Monash University have uncovered a molecular basis for combinatorial biosynthesis, a strategy to create multiple versions of powerful cancer therapies. By understanding how bacterial enzymes interact, they can design new therapies with improved potency and selectivity.
A new study published in Nature links casdatifan, an investigational HIF-2a inhibitor, to improved clinical outcomes in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients. Deep suppression of serum EPO correlated with higher response rates and longer progression-free survival.
Researchers have discovered a novel agrochemical target, C31, that inhibits Xanthomonas bacterial leaf blight by targeting the RNA polymerase alpha subunit, RpoA. This study demonstrates the potential of liquid-liquid phase separation as an innovative approach to developing new plant disease control strategies.
Researchers at Texas A&M University develop a laser technique called TRIP to directly measure quantum forces shaping proteins, enabling accurate prediction of how pharmaceutical drugs interact with them. This breakthrough could lead to the design of medicines tailored to specific diseases, revolutionizing precision medicine.
Scientists from Dresden have developed new proteins that emit fluorescence in the near-infrared and short-wave infrared ranges, allowing for high sensitivity visualization of biological structures. This breakthrough enables deeper tissue imaging and could aid in studying disease mechanisms and therapeutic effects.
Researchers at Salk Institute uncover an unexpected role for HDAC enzymes in controlling critical genes involved in DNA repair, making pancreatic cells more vulnerable to therapies that induce DNA damage. This finding paves the way for new treatment strategies combining entinostat with DNA-damaging therapies.
Hydrothermal carbonization byproduct water may support crop production and nutrient recovery, with potential for circular bioeconomy systems. Proper characterization and application can unlock benefits, but safety and management challenges must be addressed.
Researchers developed LiON, a fluorescent reporter that visualizes biologically active iron and oxygen inside living cells. The tool revealed striking differences in iron and oxygen distribution across organs and cells, offering new opportunities to study diseases like cancer, liver disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions.
A new chemical tagging approach has been developed to accurately sequence short peptides without relying on databases, opening possibilities for food science, nutrition, and biomedical research. The method successfully identified all 132 peptides with zero errors, highlighting its accuracy and reliability.
Researchers from The University of Osaka have developed a method to reconstruct ancestral rhodopsins that can be produced and experimentally tested in bacteria. This innovation utilizes an insertions-deletions aware sequence reconstruction approach, enabling scientists to study the evolution of functional proteins.
A groundbreaking study identifies a direct energy route between mitochondria and the nucleus, supporting gene regulation, chromatin remodeling, and cell differentiation. The finding challenges traditional assumptions about energy transfer in cells and has significant implications for understanding health and disease.
Researchers have uncovered the structural basis of Argonaute assembly, revealing that chaperone proteins hold it in an open conformation allowing miRNA loading. The study also found that RNA plays a key role in guiding Argonaute folding.
The Acceleration Consortium and Structural Genomics Consortium collaborate to develop new drugs using AI-driven lab capabilities. The partnership aims to speed up the discovery of bioactive molecules, advancing human health and disease understanding.
Researchers identified a promising new strategy for reversing autism-related brain deficits by targeting a specific glycine transporter. The therapy restored NMDA receptor function in mouse models and human brain organoids, improving behavioral abnormalities such as social interaction and repetitive behaviors.
A study led by Raül Andero at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona found that the ratio of progesterone to estradiol hormones in saliva can predict memory performance, including fear extinction in both mice and humans. This hormonal balance may help identify optimal times for learning and memory tasks.
Proteins lose their hydration shell when environment becomes more acidic, a process that had remained unanswered for 50 years. Direct observation of individual water molecules reveals clear rules: certain amino acids bind or release water, leading to stable inner core regardless of pH level.
A recent study identified a new type of β-1,2-glucan-binding protein in bacteria, which binds cyclic β-1,2-glucans and has implications for understanding bacterial interactions with these complex molecules. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing biological pesticides to protect crops from pathogens.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo genetically engineer cyanobacteria to produce sulfated polysaccharides, a sustainable route for manufacturing biomaterials. The study demonstrates the feasibility of engineering complex biosynthetic pathways in photosynthetic organisms.
Researchers found that a vitamin D analog reduced fibroblast activation and increased T cell infiltration in pancreatic tumors, improving chemotherapy responses and progression-free survival. Patients with high vitamin D receptor expression also had longer overall survival.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati's Center for Advanced Structural Biology have visualized the structure of iRhom1 bound to the ADAM17 enzyme, shedding light on its role in regulating cell surface protein targets. This breakthrough discovery may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen have developed a new method to make biomolecules glow in real-time, eliminating unwanted signals in microscopy. This approach ensures only labelled biological molecules emit fluorescence, making experiments clearer and easier to interpret.
Researchers at UW Medicine Institute for Protein Design and Skape Bio used AI methods to create on-demand molecules that can toggle GPCRs. The approach enables precise control of GPCR signaling in cells, offering new insights into bodily functions and potential medicines for diseases.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that neuronal hyperactivity triggered by rogue antibodies is a key driver of the severe autoimmune brain disorder IgLON5 encephalitis. The research also highlights similarities between this condition and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
Antimicrobial peptides influence amyloid fibrillization through three mechanisms: structural compatibility, directional seeding asymmetry, and surface-mediated catalysis. This review proposes a bidirectional pathogen-amyloid feedback loop, linking infection and neurodegeneration.
Researchers at EPFL have developed an AI-based generative framework called Latent Diffusion for Full Protein Generation (LD-FPG), which produces complete all-atom structural ensembles of proteins and their movements. This resolves the challenge of capturing subtle rearrangements in side chains that influence protein interactions.
Researchers at the University of Liège discovered that surfactin, a molecule produced by beneficial soil bacteria, activates plant immunity by interacting directly with the plant cell membrane. This mechanism differs from classical immune recognition and provides a solid basis for developing targeted bio-based crop protection strategies.
Researchers found that DNA helicase HELQ promotes replication fork reversal to protect cells from toxic DNA crosslinks. This process enables stalled replication forks to reverse and stabilize, minimizing mutations and cell death. The study identifies HELQ as a critical regulator of genome integrity under replication stress.
Complex systems exhibit emergent properties due to water's unique polarity, enabling DNA to store information and proteins to adopt specific structures. This order forms the basis for complex molecules to develop unpredictable properties, driving the evolution of life.
Researchers discovered that strokes cause a chain reaction within the brain, leading to neuronal cell death. They found that blocking collagen production can prevent this damage and even restore motor function in paralyzed monkeys. The new drug KDS12025 reduces hydrogen peroxide levels and prevents the entire process from being triggered.
Neutron scattering reveals a new type of protein motion that depends on the surrounding environment within assemblies. The observed behaviour, known as non-Fickian diffusion, shows that molecular motion can no longer be described by a single uniform rule across the whole system.
Researchers developed a machine-learning model to predict protease behavior, enabling more precise and effective treatments. The ProSSpeC calculator suggests engineered synthetic proteases that outperform widely used enzymes.
Chemokines regulate immune cell infiltration and local immunity in tumors, and targeting their receptor axis has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy. Chemokine-modulating strategies combining with other immunotherapies have demonstrated considerable synergistic potential.
Researchers at UCD have discovered a previously unknown courier system in cells that enables the transfer of coherent biological messages between cells. This breakthrough could lead to improved RNA-, gene- and protein-based therapies by ferrying functional biomolecules directly into previously inaccessible areas within cells.
Researchers at the University of Groningen discovered that protein clustering in cells leads to reduced movement and improved efficiency in amino acid production. This finding has practical implications for designing efficient cell factories and increasing substance production inside cells.
A new clinical trial at the University of Cincinnati is testing a peptide solution to treat prosthetic joint infections after total knee replacement. The trial aims to reduce the need for repeat surgeries and expand the treatment window beyond two weeks.
A multicenter analysis of 920 patients with compensated cirrhosis found that interferon therapy was not associated with a higher risk of serious complications compared to standard treatment. Milder side effects were more common and required closer monitoring.