Articles tagged with Cellular Proteins
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a fluorescent biosensor to observe PKC activity in real time and 3D space. The study revealed designated signaling territories where different types of PKC are active, shedding light on their critical role in human disease.
Researchers have characterized a novel class of proteins in the parasite Leishmania infantum involved in regulating its cell cycle, which could lead to the development of more effective drugs against visceral leishmaniasis. The discovery highlights six F-box proteins essential for L. infantum growth and development, providing potential...
A team from UNIGE and EPFL has demonstrated the Entropic Pulling mechanism of Hsp70 chaperones, a long-debated theory that explains their role in controlling protein quality. The study uses nanopore single-molecule technology to show that Hsp70s generate a strong force to manipulate protein structure, ruling out previous models.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham uncover key regulators of malaria parasites' cell division, revealing NEK1 as a potential drug target. The study aims to find new therapeutic targets for controlling malaria transmission.
Chung-Ang University researchers have identified a potential anti-aging drug called IU1 that enhances proteasomal activity and autophagy, leading to improved muscle strength and extended lifespan in fruit flies. The study suggests that preventing disruption of protein homeostasis mechanisms could be key to increasing longevity and impr...
A Virginia Tech research team has identified a molecular mechanism by which Shigella flexneri bacteria manipulate host molecules to ensure their survival. The study provides a new understanding of the infection pathway and its potential implications for preventing similar infections in other bacteria.
Researchers have identified a protein, RNF114, that reverses cataracts by facilitating protein degradation. This discovery may lead to a surgery-free treatment strategy for managing cataracts, a common cause of vision loss worldwide.
A recent study by FAU researchers links copper regulation to neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's. The team discovered that a specific gene, swip-10, plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of copper in cells, which can prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.
Researchers at UCSF used cryogenic electron microscopy to study the protein TGF-Beta, which plays a crucial role in development and cancer. They found that TGF-Beta can signal even when bound to a 'straitjacket' within the cell membrane, challenging decades-old dogma on its function.
Researchers found that biological condensates, previously overlooked cellular structures, play a significant role in modulating cell activity and influencing global traits such as antibiotic resistance. These 'blobs' can separate or trap proteins and molecules, affecting cellular behavior and electrochemical processes.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have created a powerful interactive tool called Connecting Omics (COmics) to investigate the complex molecular make-up of humans. The study identifies associations between genetic characteristics, proteins, metabolic processes, and diseases, shedding light on different ways type 2 diabetes manifests.
Researchers studied how viruses move proteins in fruit flies to infect other animals. They found that viral proteins have built-in GPS signals guiding them to precise locations within the host cells. This knowledge could lead to new strategies for disrupting virus movement and controlling insect-borne diseases.
A glitch in protein synthesis, known as stop codon readthrough, may affect tumour growth and cancer cell proliferation. The study found that preventing this process can lead to increased degradation of target proteins and a delayed cell cycle, resulting in slower tumour growth.
Researchers at UCSF develop a method to target GTPases, enzymes involved in Parkinson's and many other diseases, by using drugs targeting the K-Ras oncogene. This approach reveals new drug binding sites that could not be predicted by computational tools.
Researchers have found a potential compound that pairs well with an IRAK4 inhibitor to kill AML cells by reducing c-Myc levels, a protein also driving cancer growth. The three-year LLS grant will allow further research into the effects of IRAK4 targeting on c-Myc.
A novel synthetic biology platform enables rapid and cost-effective transformation of protein binders into high-contrast nanosensors for various applications. The platform uses fluorogenic amino acids to increase fluorescence up to 100-fold, enabling the detection of specific proteins, peptides, and small molecules.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have identified a protein called OSER1 that influences longevity in various animals and humans. The discovery opens up possibilities for understanding age-related diseases and developing new drug targets.
Researchers found that control of most genes doesn't deteriorate with age, but coordination between cellular processes becomes less effective. The study suggests a more complex approach to understanding aging is needed, analyzing all genes simultaneously and their protein interactions.
Researchers at Rice University have created a roadmap showing how proteins interact to form the nanometer-thin shell of gas vesicles. This breakthrough enables the development of medically useful GV varieties in the lab, which can be used for diagnostics and therapeutics.
A new study reveals a link between senescent cells and the protein HIRA, which helps pack and unpack DNA. The research team discovered that HIRA is necessary for the cells to begin emitting inflammatory molecules, leading to chronic inflammation in the body.
Researchers have identified two proteins, PARP1 and histone H1.2, that interact with an ALS-causing mutant FUS protein, leading to pathological changes. Inhibiting these proteins may be a possible therapeutic target for familial ALS cases caused by mutations in the FUS gene.
A new study reveals that fasting helps regenerate and heal intestinal injuries, but also increases the risk of developing early-stage intestinal tumors in mice. The researchers identified a pathway enabling this enhanced regeneration, which is activated during refeeding after fasting.
A new study from the Cusack group sheds light on how avian influenza virus can mutate to replicate in mammalian cells. The key enzyme polymerase must adapt to overcome two main barriers: entering and replicating within host cells, as well as acquiring human transmission capabilities.
The new AI tool PINNACLE overcomes limitations of current models by analyzing protein behavior in context. It can predict narrowly tailored drug targets for malfunctioning proteins, enabling better understanding of vital cellular processes and disease mechanisms.
A new study found that potassium ion channels in the Shaker family were present in single-cell organisms before the origin of the nervous system. This discovery challenges the conventional understanding of how these ion channels evolved alongside the nervous system.
Researchers developed a simple, cost-effective method to study ubiquitination, a critical protein modification process involved in diverse cellular functions. The Ub-POD method quickly labels targets of E3 ligase enzymes directly in human cells, allowing for the identification of new substrates and expanding therapeutic options for dis...
A team of researchers led by Associate Professor Ken Natsuga found that cell-cell adhesion governs pattern formation in keratinocytes. Starvation also plays a crucial role in the formation of these patterns, which are influenced by cell proliferation and differentiation.
A research team at the University of Minnesota Medical School has identified small molecules that can reduce protein production linked to AMD. Blocking a cellular pathway, GSK3, may prevent or modify AMD with administration of a single drug.
ProDOL, a novel microscopy technique, enables precise quantification of labelled proteins in living cells, overcoming existing limitations. The method's accuracy and versatility make it a valuable tool for biomedical research, particularly in understanding cellular signalling processes.
A study found that increased expression of human carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) on immune cells is associated with treatment-resistant melanoma. CEACAM1 is now considered a potential therapeutic target for patients with resistant tumors.
Dr. Elks' research focuses on the communication loop between fat cells and immune cells, which promotes inflammation and insulin resistance when disrupted. The grant aims to uncover patterns in cell communication that can be used to treat obesity and other metabolic diseases.
Researchers at TUM have mapped the interactions of 144 active substances with around 8,000 proteins using a new method called decryptE. This study could help identify previously unknown potential benefits of existing drugs and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Scientists have discovered a novel mechanism of dosage compensation in platypus and chicken, where protein levels are balanced despite imbalanced mRNA levels. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the role of RNA in gene expression.
Researchers found that folded peptides are more electrically conductive than their unfolded counterparts due to the formation of a specific secondary structure called the 3_10 helix. This discovery has implications for the design and development of molecular electronic devices.
Researchers at UNIGE have discovered how yeast cells respond to physical stress on their membranes. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed that specific lipid domains can stabilize and trigger cellular responses to mechanical stimuli. This study sheds light on the role of membrane compartmentalization in cell survival.
Researchers have discovered a protein function that could guide novel cancer treatment options and improve diagnostic procedures for various cancers. The tumour-suppressing protein p16 has the ability to dramatically alter its structure and function, with potential implications for cancer formation and therapy response.
Researchers have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 can infect more types of lung cells than previously thought, including those without known viral receptors. The study also found that the lung can independently muster an inflammatory antiviral response without immune system help when exposed to the virus.
Researchers found that five human bitter taste receptor types react to both free amino acids and peptides, as well as bile acids. This suggests that bitter receptors play additional roles in human health beyond food selection.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute discovered over 1,000 previously undetected proteins in common metabolite samples that persist despite extraction methods. A novel protocol for removing these proteins was developed to improve future metabolomics experiments.
The UTEP research team found that nanoplastics and PFAS can alter proteins in human breast milk, infant formulas, and affect oxygen storage. This could lead to developmental defects, compromised immunity, and reduced mineral absorption.
Researchers have determined the structure of molecules within an Alzheimer's disease brain for the first time using cryo-electron tomography and fluorescence microscopy. This study revealed the molecular structure of tau protein and its arrangement with amyloid plaques, providing new insights into the pathology of the disease.
A team of scientists from Max Planck Institute found that extremely long-lived proteins in the ovary play a crucial role in preserving fertility. These proteins, known as chaperones, help maintain cellular processes and prevent misfolded proteins from aggregating.
A study found that targeting heparan sulfate-modified proteins improves cell repair, rescues neuron loss and reverses cellular changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Disrupting these proteins promotes autophagy-dependent cell repair and reverses early cellular problems in models of Alzheimer's.
Biomolecular condensates exhibit unique material properties tied to protein sequences, including viscoelastic behavior and aging processes. The study quantifies interaction timescales, explaining how proteins within condensates arrange into fibrils over time.
Researchers develop a method that fuses AlphaFold's strengths with computer simulations based on physics laws to predict protein structures, enabling faster drug development. The approach filters down initial hypotheses to a more manageable set of structures, increasing the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals.
Researchers at U of T have developed a deep-learning model called PepFlow that can predict the full range of conformations for peptides, which are shorter than proteins but perform similar biological functions. The model combines machine learning and physics to capture precise and accurate conformations within minutes.
Researchers at Colorado State University used human stem cells to study synaptic connections in the brain, focusing on GABAergic synapses. They found that Gephyrin promotes autonomous assembly of these synapses, which can develop independently of neuronal communication. This understanding could lead to new treatments for neurological d...
A new study developed an AI-based approach, DiffPALM, to predict protein interactions with high accuracy, outperforming traditional methods. This advancement has significant implications for drug development and disease treatment, and the researchers have made it freely available for further research.
Scientists have identified a new mechanism by which cells counteract a key cancer-promoting protein using an 'invisible' protein called RAI2. In cancer cell lines and patient samples, RAI2 levels are reduced in more severe and treatment-resistant forms of prostate cancer.
A ketogenic diet has been shown to improve memory and healthspan in aging mice by activating a critical signaling pathway. The study found that the main ketone body produced during a ketogenic diet, BHB, plays a crucial role in activating this pathway.
A new study reveals specialized proteins can dramatically delay ice crystal formation in extreme cold, paving the way for impossible organ transplants. Cryogenic damage compromises cellular structures, leading to irreversible damage and organ failure.
Researchers have discovered that a protein called MED12 plays a critical role in pancreatic cancer's development, particularly in basal-like cells. The study builds on decades of research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, which previously identified the importance of p63 for basal cell formation.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a possible new pathway to treat colorectal cancer by targeting the NF-kB-inducing kinase (NIK) protein. The study, led by Irving Coy Allen, identifies changes in a significant signaling pathway in human patients and presents potential targets for therapeutics.
Scientists designed ring-shaped proteins targeting growth factor receptors to control human stem cell development. The resulting vascular networks formed tubes, healed, and absorbed nutrients, offering a new approach to repairing damaged hearts and kidneys.
Researchers have developed a novel pipeline to study proteins with no fixed structures, using cell-free protein crystallization techniques. This approach enables fast and convenient analysis of intrinsically disordered proteins, paving the way for new drugs and bioanalytical techniques.
Researchers at Dartmouth College found that fruit fly oocytes can renew chromosome-linking proteins, potentially helping older women reduce pregnancy complications. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies for enhancing protein rejuvenation in human eggs.
Dr. Jeetain Mittal's NIH grant will support multiscale computational models investigating phase separation in biology, particularly heterochromatin formation and its role in neurodegenerative diseases. The research aims to elucidate the molecular origins of phase separation using innovative models and methods.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a simplified method for preparing protein samples for proteomics analysis, enabling faster, cheaper and more efficient testing. This breakthrough could pave the way for precision medicine by helping scientists better understand protein changes in the body.
A study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has discovered two regulator proteins that work together to keep the splicing process on track. The research, led by Professor Adrian Krainer, identifies SRSF1's interactions with other proteins, providing new insights into how this critical regulator works.
Researchers discovered that biochemical bonds between fats and proteins in the mitochondrion play a crucial role in cellular energy production. Introducing mutations into a specific protein-lipid interaction weakened its structure and lowered its function.