Articles tagged with Biosynthesis
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.
The study completes the nicotine biosynthesis pathway and reveals a five-component dynamic metabolon that carries out chemical reactions to produce nicotine. This discovery establishes a new synthetic biology paradigm for scalable production of high-value natural products with defined stereochemistry.
Researchers have identified and overcome metabolic instability as the key barrier to developing ovalicin, a potent relative of fumagillin. Using chem-bio hybrid synthesis, they created metabolically stable drug candidates that worked in animal models of amebiasis.
A study reveals the genetic circuitry behind lotus's spatial pattern of medicinal alkaloid accumulation, driven by a jasmonate-responsive transcriptional cascade involving NnMYC2 and NnMYB14. The regulatory framework identified provides targets for metabolic engineering of medicinal compounds.
Researchers mapped eggplant's hidden genome using ultra-complete genomes and pan-genome analysis, revealing genetic variation linked to yield, stress resistance, and fruit traits. The study provides a comprehensive genomic foundation for precision breeding and sustainable crop development.
Researchers have discovered that endophytic bacteria can coexist with plant cells without harming them, triggering the production of previously unattainable compounds. This method has the potential to expand the diversity of obtainable plant-derived compounds for various industries.
A team from the University of Illinois developed a photobiocatalytic platform that enables Escherichia coli to produce complex molecules through light-driven enzymatic reactions. This breakthrough broadens the capabilities of biomanufacturing, offering a promising avenue for sustainable production of chemicals and materials.
Researchers have found a way to harness the electrical energy generated by protein condensates, constantly shifting membrane-less organelles that govern cell function. This discovery could lead to bioelectrochemical devices for cleaning pollutants and fighting infection.
Scientists at Leibniz-HKI discovered an enzyme called BurK that cleaves the toxic molecule malleicyprol in human pathogenic bacteria. This mechanism regulates toxin levels and renders it harmless to humans, offering a potential therapeutic approach for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers developed a yeast cell factory to convert methanol into L-lactate, a monomer for biodegradable plastics, and demonstrated the economic and environmental value of this process. The minimum selling price of L-lactate was found to be $2.29/kg with annual capacity of 18,500 tons.
Researchers have assembled the first T2T gap-free genome of Platycodon grandiflorus, a traditional medicinal herb valued for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The study identifies key oxidosqualene cyclases and cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and diversification of triterpenoid saponins.
Researchers demonstrated a method to enhance biosynthetic capacity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by extending cellular lifespan, resulting in increased sclareol production. The strategy combines lifespan engineering with metabolic pathway optimization, showing improved product synthesis and robustness.
Researchers have discovered a promising new antibiotic, pre-methylenomycin C lactone, which is over 100 times more active than the current antibiotic methylenomycin A. This finding provides hope in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which affects millions of people worldwide.
A new approach allows scientists to directly correlate gene expression with metabolite abundance, enabling the elucidation of complex plant natural product biosynthetic pathways. This method can help identify specialized cell types involved in producing therapeutically relevant chemical compounds.
A team of researchers from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics identified the key glycosyltransferase UGT76G4 and elucidated its molecular basis for regioselectivity towards C19 in steviol glycosides. This discovery provides a breakthrough for efficient biosynthetic methods to produce Reb M, a next-generation natural sweetener.
A new study reveals how Lactococcus lactis regulates the production of a key precursor in vitamin K2 biosynthesis. By tuning substrate supply and genetic architecture, researchers can push production above natural ceilings, opening the door to engineering bacteria for enhanced vitamin K2 production.
Scientists from UC San Diego develop an artificial cell membrane that can remodel itself through metabolic activity, shedding light on how life may have emerged on prebiotic Earth. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in drug delivery, biomanufacturing and environmental remediation.
Scientists at Rice University developed a scalable approach to engineer bacterial cellulose into high-strength, multifunctional materials. The dynamic biosynthesis technique aligns bacterial cellulose fibers in real-time, resulting in robust biopolymer sheets with exceptional mechanical properties.
Scientists create ferritin structures with precisely arranged histidine residues to drive oxidation reactions in a highly effective metal-free peroxidase. This approach eliminates the need for metal cofactors and enhances catalytic activity.
A research team from the University of Copenhagen has developed a biotechnological method to produce Taxol, a widely used cancer drug. The new method involves cloning taxol-producing genes and inserting them into yeast cells, making it more cost-effective and sustainable than traditional chemical synthesis.
Researchers have discovered that commonly prescribed medications can disrupt sterol biosynthesis in developing brains, potentially affecting neural development and function. The study highlights the need for reevaluating medication safety during pregnancy and early childhood.
Researchers have identified a new pathway for ergosterol biosynthesis in Leishmania parasites, paving the way for more effective antiparasitic drugs. The discovery reveals that azole antifungals targeting a specific enzyme can be highly effective against leishmaniasis.
Researchers develop innovative hybrid control strategy to improve product yields in biosynthetic processes. The new approach combines model-based optimization with in-cell feedback control, outperforming traditional methods and promising reduced costs and environmental impact.
Han Xiao aims to develop cells that can biosynthesize and utilize non-canonical amino acids as in vivo sensors for enzymes involved in posttranslational modifications. This research could lead to new strategies in treating diseases by providing real-time insights into enzyme activities.
A recent study sequenced the genome of red raspberry Rubus rosaefolius, revealing insights into its evolutionary history and anthocyanin biosynthesis. The research identified key structural genes and transcription factors regulating anthocyanin production, paving the way for targeted breeding programs.
Researchers have gained new insights into how a specific enzyme, HydF, facilitates the production of hydrogen from algae enzymes. The study reveals the importance of amino acids in anchoring and synthesizing a crucial ligand for hydrogen turnover.
Researchers at the Max-Planck-Institute have developed a synthetic biochemical cycle that directly converts CO2 into Acetyl-CoA using three modules implemented in E.coli. The THETA cycle has shown promising results with improved acetyl-CoA yield through optimization and in vivo feasibility testing.
A study published in Nature Communications sheds light on the critical role of P4-ATPases, particularly ATP8B1-CDC50A, in maintaining lipid asymmetry in cell membranes. The research team used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structure and function of the human flippase complex, revealing its regulation by phosphoinositides.
Researchers discovered the PanH enzyme, which catalyzes the selective epoxidation of cyclohexenones, a challenging reaction to achieve through chemical synthesis. The study shows that this enzyme can produce a large library of substances with improved and more specific activities in biomedical research.
Researchers developed an innovative bioengineering approach using genetically modified bacteria to incorporate protein cages around protein crystals. This method efficiently produces highly customized protein complexes for specialized applications. The resulting crystals have a core-shell structure with a cubic PhC core covered in five...
Researchers analyzed purine alkaloid and catechin accumulation in Camellia ptilophylla populations, identifying different regulatory mechanisms for improving tea quality. The study uncovers insights into breeding low-caffeine or high GCG tea tree varieties to meet consumer demands.
Biologists at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun synthesized silver nanoparticles using fungi, showing potential for medical applications. The method also improves crop protection by detecting plant pathogens and delivering nutrients to plants with minimal waste.
A research team at Ritsumeikan University has identified the elusive ApiT gene in celery, crucial for apiin synthesis. The discovery may pave the way for efficient biosynthesis of apiin, a compound with potential health benefits and medicinal uses.
Researchers at USTC developed a high-performance cellulose-based nanopaper with excellent mechanical and electrical insulating properties under extreme conditions. The material exhibits high tensile strength, toughness, and electric breakdown strength, making it suitable for protecting equipment in harsh environments.
Researchers have developed methods to produce polyphenolic compounds with improved solubility through microbial fermentation, enabling potential life-saving drugs. The process, called glycosylation, attaches sugar molecules to the compounds, making them more effective in preventing diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Researchers discovered that FDA-approved HDAC-inhibitors can impact energy metabolism in solid tumor cells, including glioblastoma. The combination of HDAC-inhibitors and imipridones may synergize to enhance killing of GBM cells by reversing cellular respiration.
Researchers identified a novel high RS gene, SSIIIb, which when combined with the loss-of-function SSIIIa gene, increased RS content in cooked rice. This breakthrough provides genetic resources for breeding high-RS rice varieties, potentially reducing obesity and related health issues.
Researchers reconstructed ancient bacterial genomes from human and Neanderthal remains to discover previously unknown metabolites, including paleofurans. This breakthrough expands the ability to study microbial natural products, offering insights into the nutrition and health of early hominins.
Researchers have engineered yeast Ogataea polymorpha to produce fatty alcohols from sole methanol by coupling peroxisomal metabolism. This approach improves cellular fitness and enables high-level production of up to 3.6 g/L. The study provides a feasible engineering strategy for sustainable production of fatty alcohols.
Animals recycle biochemical waste to produce novel chemicals playing key roles in biology from behavior to aging. Genes previously thought to code for carboxylesterases contribute to ester and amide bond formation opposite initial predictions.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have produced the first atomic-level structure of an enzyme that selectively breaks carbon-hydrogen bonds, suggesting ways to engineer it for producing desired products. The detailed structure reveals how the enzyme operates under ordinary conditions and produces few unwanted byproducts.
A study by IMBA researchers links muscle degeneration to a deficiency in the enzyme PCYT2, essential for lipid synthesis. PCYT2 depletion affects mitochondrial function and muscle energetics, highlighting the importance of lipid balance in muscle health.
Lichen-forming fungi have evolved unique gene clusters to produce orange 'sunscreen' pigments, allowing them to thrive in sunny environments. The discovery of a critical ABC transporter gene within the pigment gene cluster provides a potential hypothesis for toxicity avoidance in these organisms.
A genetically engineered bacterium has enabled the biosynthesis of melanin nanoparticles with excellent biocompatibility, stability, and photothermal conversion efficiency. The resulting nanoparticles showed strong absorption in the near-infrared region and high antitumor efficacy for photoacoustic imaging-guided photothermal therapy.
Researchers have identified a new genetic pathway involved in regulating sleep from fruit flies to humans. The Pig-Q gene is associated with sleep regulation in both humans and animals, providing a novel insight into the genetics of insomnia.
Researchers from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a sustainable, eco-friendly compound to stabilize high-energy density lithium-ion batteries. The microbially synthesized pyrazine diamine compound significantly improves battery performance, reducing degradation and increasing operating potential.
Researchers at Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology have deciphered the biosynthesis of benzobactins, a class of natural compounds with special biological activity. The study reveals that these compounds are widespread in diverse bacteria and could be excellent candidates for future drug therapy.
Researchers discover chemical inhibitor TIS108 significantly lowers Striga infestation without affecting plant growth or grain yield. The study shows canonical strigolactones contribute to seed germination in root parasitic weeds and play a major role in stimulating invasion by Striga.
Researchers at Leibniz-HKI discovered a yellow natural substance that regulates the multicellular stage of the amoeba <em>D. discoideum</em>. The polyketide, dictyoden, prevents premature hatching from spores, maintaining the development cycle. The study provides insights into the complex transition from single- to multicellularity.
The study revealed an alternative pathway for cysteine biosynthesis in animals, using enzymes similar to those found in fungi and bacteria. This challenges the previous assumption that corals rely on symbiotic relationships with algae for cysteine production.
Researchers used Raman spectroscopy to identify and analyze Escherichia coli persister cells, finding they have enhanced metabolic activities despite being in a dormant state. This new understanding could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Diatoms have a complex pathway to produce the brown pigment fucoxanthin, which enables efficient light harvesting during photosynthesis. The discovery provides new insights into the synthesis of this important pigment, with potential applications in biotechnology and ecology.
Researchers created a dual temperature control system to improve isoprene production in S. cerevisiae, achieving 34.5% and 72% improvements in cell growth and isoprene yield respectively.
Kobe University researchers successfully developed a tyrosine chassis in the yeast Pichia pastoris to produce various useful compounds with high yields. They introduced biosynthesis pathways for resveratrol, naringenin, norcoclaurine, and reticuline, achieving significant improvements in production rates.
Researchers have discovered a new type of triterpenes in fungi that don't require squalene, overturning current knowledge and offering a new approach to pharmaceutical science. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for creating more valuable compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and other properties.
A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology has identified 1,000 biosynthetic gene clusters, over half of which are previously unknown. These natural products have been found to be eukaryotic proteasome inhibitors that suppress the immune system of insects, as well as other virulence factors.
Researchers developed novel cofactor engineering strategies to enhance NADPH, FAD(H2), and SAM supply, re-localization, and recycling in yeast. This led to the efficient synthesis of phenolic acids, providing a sustainable platform for complex natural product production.
Scientists have devised a method to pinpoint active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine formulations, revealing 4 analytes with significant anti-inflammatory activity. This breakthrough could improve quality control standards and lead to better herbal remedies.
Scientists from Tokyo Institute of Technology have created a method to boost KODA production in plants, utilizing biotechnology. This technique involves introducing key genes into two plant species and optimizing their localization to improve yield. The findings may lead to mass-producing diverse oxylipins for fertilizers and pesticides.
The study found that all 86 tridomain homologues of NDP-heptose synthetases are conserved in Actinobacteria, with three types of gene clusters encoding different natural products. The kinase domains of four selected proteins were found to be dysfunctional.