Articles tagged with Cellular Proteins
A team led by UMass Amherst scientist Margaret Stratton is studying the calcium-sensitive protein CaMKII to understand long-term memory and its potential therapeutic applications. The research has far-reaching implications for treating neurologic diseases, cardiac dysfunction, and infertility.
Researchers discovered that RNA interference, a viral defence mechanism, also prevents overproduction of body's own proteins in intestinal cells, promoting ER quality control. This interplay is crucial for maintaining protein balance and overall intestinal health.
A new laboratory test can measure levels of amyloid beta oligomers in blood samples, detecting toxic proteins up to years before cognitive impairment. The test, SOBA, has shown promising results in identifying individuals at risk or incubating Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers from University of Cologne and Technical University of Munich discovered that the signal peptidase complex plays a crucial role in quality control of membrane proteins. The complex cleaves faulty membrane proteins to initiate their degradation, maintaining cellular function. This discovery has important implications for und...
A team of Oregon State University scientists used biophysical techniques to study the malfunctioning motor protein dynein, which is associated with neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer's. The study sheds light on how dynein's transport machinery fails in these disorders, leading to the accumulation of misfolded proteins.
Scientists have identified a protein complex called Ku that helps human cells detect viral DNA, and discovered how viral proteins can block this detection. The findings offer a new approach to improving the response to infections caused by viruses like monkeypox.
A study at the University of Gothenburg discovered a unique quick-closing valve in the aquaporins of climbing perch fish, allowing them to rapidly regulate water in their cells. This finding could lead to the development of new drugs for cancer and Alzheimer's disease by understanding how brain cell aquaporins function.
Researchers found that a new drug inhibiting GRP78 effectively reduces SARS-CoV-2 replication in human lung cells. The drug also shows potential in treating certain types of cancer by suppressing mutant KRAS proteins.
A new reporter system called INSPECT allows for highly sensitive monitoring of both coding and non-coding RNA production, shedding light on cellular processes. This breakthrough tool modifies introns without altering completed RNA or proteins, offering a minimally invasive solution to study RNA regulation.
Researchers found that knockdown of secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) suppresses SASP and improves age-related skin phenotypes. This suggests a potential candidate for the development of new skin rejuvenation therapies.
A team from the University of Geneva has identified the structure of the SEA complex, a key regulator of cell growth, and how it controls the activity of the major regulator of cell growth, mTOR. The discovery provides new insights into how cells perceive nutrient levels to regulate their growth.
A new study has discovered that MTCH2, a protein essential in various cellular processes, acts as a 'door' for proteins to access the mitochondrial membrane. The finding opens up potential avenues for cancer treatments by harnessing apoptosis, a programmed cell death mechanism.
A new potential antitumor drug, TRIP, causes rapid protein aggregation, hyperactivating the unfolded protein response and leading to programmed cell death in ovarian cancer cells. The Fe-S cluster biogenesis factor NUBP2 is identified as the probable starting point for the cellular processes triggered by TRIP.
The study reveals how the activating partner PI5P interacts with two different regions of regulatory protein UHRF1, showing its role in modulating complex proteins. This finding could breathe new life into the search for UHRF1-directed medicines.
Researchers have developed an RNA-based editing tool that targets individual cells, enabling precise modification of cell functions to manage diseases. The tool uses the ADAR enzyme to selectively add proteins of interest, offering endless potential applications across the animal kingdom.
Researchers investigate how motor proteins transport vital proteins and RNAs to the right location within cells, where they can cause or prevent genetic neurological diseases. By understanding these highly regulated transport systems, scientists hope to develop new treatments for conditions like spinal muscular atrophy and Charcot-Mari...
Researchers have identified a previously unknown biological contributor to postpartum depression: impaired autophagy, which limits the body's ability to clean up old genetic material. This finding may lead to new treatments and early identification of women at risk before they become ill.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel method for detecting protein phosphorylation using phosphate's electrical signature. The technique boasts 95% accuracy and 91% specificity, offering new avenues for clinical diagnosis and pharmaceutical applications.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have identified a protein called Spns1 that transports broken-down phospholipids out of lysosomes and into the cytoplasm, where they can be recycled. This finding further understanding of the role of lysosomes in lipid metabolism and disease, particularly in rare genetic disorders.
Researchers have discovered the molecular mechanism that controls MR1, a protein responsible for alerting white blood cells to bacterial infections or cancer. By regulating MR1's activation, the immune response can be stimulated or inhibited, offering new potential for harnessing and controlling immunity.
A new study reveals that aggregates of the protein alpha-synuclein spread in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease through a cellular waste-ejection process called lysosomal exocytosis. This process can lead to the deaths of neurons and ultimately result in the characteristic symptoms of the disease.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a universal mechanism for lysosomal repair, known as the PITT pathway, which helps maintain cellular longevity. The study reveals that damaged lysosomes are quickly repaired through the PITT pathway, but defects in this process can contribute to age-related diseases such as Al...
Researchers have identified two effective antibodies that neutralize all known strains of COVID-19, including Delta and Omicron variants. These breakthrough antibodies could eliminate the need for repeated booster vaccinations and strengthen immune systems, especially in at-risk populations.
Researchers have identified proteins that form gel-like filaments to protect cells from mechanical stress during dehydration. These findings could lead to improvements in preserving cell materials and biomolecules in a dry state.
Biochemists have discovered that glutathione, an antioxidant, plays a crucial role in moving iron-sulfur cofactors across cell membranes. This finding could lead to better understanding and treatment of diseases caused by impaired iron metabolism, such as Friedreich's ataxia.
Researchers developed a novel way to visualize densely packed molecules using expansion microscopy, allowing for the first time their imaging. The technique enables visualization of nanostructures found in neurons and Alzheimer's-linked amyloid beta plaques.
Scientists have elucidated the regulatory functions of Pan1p, a key player in late-stage clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The protein drives actin assembly and disassembly, facilitating vesicle internalization.
A new study published in PLOS Biology reveals the significance of kinesins in basic cellular processes needed for malaria parasite development, multiplication and invasion. Researchers found that eight out of nine kinesins present in the parasite genome are required for cell proliferation to cell movement in mosquito hosts.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst and UMass Chan Medical School has developed a technique to increase the secretion of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) in muscle cells by about 50 percent. This breakthrough will help improve gene therapies for diseases caused by dysfunctional protein production.
Researchers have identified 42 host cell proteins that contribute to the replication and spread of Lassa virus, a disease with high morbidity and mortality in Western Africa. One potential drug target, GSPT1, was found to be involved in viral-host interactions and showed antiviral activity against Lassa without cytotoxicity.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have identified a critical protein, GSPT1, that facilitates Lassa virus infection. Targeting this protein with an existing drug candidate, CC-90009, shows promise in reducing Lassa virus growth without cell toxicity.
The SARS-Arena program identifies conserved peptides in the SARS-CoV-2 virus that could be used to develop vaccines. The peptides are part of the nucleocapsid protein, which is highly expressed upon infection and highly immunogenic.
Researchers have discovered pairing Spinraza with valproic acid (VPA) can boost its therapeutic effects without increasing toxicity. This approach allows for improved SMN protein production in SMA patients, leading to longer survival and better muscle function.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are developing mathematical models to predict and control cellular differentiation. They created a technique using mix-and-read assays, which allow for the detection of key signaling proteins in live tissues. This method enables researchers to gain a deeper understanding of how cells make decisions.
A team from UNIGE has identified a molecular mechanism that causes degeneration of photoreceptors in retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease leading to blindness. The discovery could lead to therapeutic treatments targeting this mechanism.
Researchers discuss Hepatitis D's life cycle and interactions with its host, exploring strategies for further research to combat this overlooked virus. HDV coinfects people with hepatitis B, rapidly progressing to liver cirrhosis and cancer if left untreated, with a review published in the Chinese Medical Journal.
A team of researchers has found a way to block the replication of one strain of the influenza virus in human cells by inhibiting a specific protein modification process called SUMOylation. This breakthrough could lead to highly effective treatments for the flu and other respiratory viruses.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have identified a novel cellular process called Golgiphagy that helps regulate the degradation of the Golgi complex in cells. This discovery opens new avenues for understanding the underlying mechanisms of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.
Research reveals pridopidine enhances autophagy in ALS model, reducing toxic protein aggregation and promoting neuronal health. The study supports pridopidine's potential as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's.
Researchers characterized human plastins behavior as workaholics and found that they promote disease when disrupting cellular environment. Plastin's two main segments strongly bond together but can disengage to bundle actins, leading to aggressive bundling even when not needed.
The study reveals that ZNG1 is a protein that puts zinc into other 'client' proteins, playing a crucial role in regulating cellular zinc homeostasis. ZNG1's identification opens up a new area of biology for exploration and may be one of the most important regulatory strategies by which humans cope with severe zinc starvation.
Researchers determined the 3D structure of NTCP, a protein crucial for liver function and HBV/HDV infection. The study reveals two essential conformations: one 'open' pore for bile salt binding and a 'closed' conformation preventing virus recognition.
A UC Davis study found a critical agent keeping KSHV dormant and undetected by the immune system. The virus is linked to various cancers and AIDS-related diseases. The researchers identified CHD4 as a key regulator of the latency-lytic switch, allowing the virus to stay silent.
Researchers found phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) essential for epithelial cell-cell adhesion and maintaining cellular identity. PIP2 regulates epithelial properties by recruiting Par3 to the plasma membrane, facilitating the formation of adherens junctions and preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transformation.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered an aberrant protein that mimics the action of aminoglycoside antibiotics, which could help scientists understand how those drugs kill bacterial cells. The newly identified protein could lead to the development of new inhibitors to target bacterial growth.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus discovered a reactivated protein, Hand2, in certain cases of mesothelioma, which may lead to new treatments. The study aims to investigate the cause and effect of this reactivation.
Researchers discovered that by four days after mating, close to 20% of fruit fly sperm proteins are female-derived. Female proteins bind to sperm inside the female, potentially supporting their viability.
The study found that a solid state of oskar RNP granules is crucial for localization and function in Drosophila embryos. Genetic engineering resulted in defects when granules were made liquid-like, highlighting the importance of biophysical properties.
Scientists have discovered a promising strategy to treat Ebola virus infections by targeting cellular protein GSPT1, which the virus hijacks for polymerase function. An experimental drug CC-90009 degrades GSPT1, halting viral multiplication.
UNIGE researchers developed a new approach combining genetics and cell biology experiments with physical modelling to simulate protein gradients. Their innovative model can explain complex mechanisms and be adapted to other biology systems.
Researchers at UC San Diego have designed a flexible protein system that selectively binds to non-copper metals, overcoming universal restrictions on metal selectivity. This breakthrough paves the way for the design of novel functional proteins and metal sequestration agents with potential applications in environmental remediation and ...
A research team has discovered how the Covid virus reproduces itself by taking over the cell's protein factory. The team identified a specific structure in viral mRNA that allows the virus to access the ribosome and produce its own proteins, while blocking cellular production. This discovery opens up new avenues for antiviral treatments.
A new protein group has been identified that functions as a switch to regulate biological activity, found in all domains of life and essential for cellular activities such as gene expression and metabolism. The discovery opens up new possibilities for the development of novel drugs targeting these switches.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified hundreds of new proteins associated with cystic fibrosis, including those that interact with the CFTR protein. These discoveries may shed light on why some patients respond better than others to current therapies.
A team of researchers has identified over 250 gene activators in human cells, expanding our understanding of transcriptional regulation and its role in cancer. The study also reveals new insights into how proteins interact with each other to regulate gene expression, potentially leading to the development of targeted therapies.
A comprehensive study has revealed over 7,000 human transcription factor (TF) protein-protein interactions, with most playing important roles in transcriptional regulation. The study identifies groups of TFs with specific biological functions, such as chromatin remodelling and RNA splicing.
Researchers at OHSU are developing a new approach to scientific imaging to study the dynamic organization of cells by examining how tiny molecules make cells work. The W. M. Keck Foundation has awarded $1 million to develop a one-of-a-kind imaging and computational system.
An international team led by the University of Ottawa has published findings on the importance of the enzyme GCN5 in maintaining muscle integrity. The study discovered that GCN5 plays a crucial role in boosting the expression of key structural proteins, notably dystrophin.
A study published in MBio found that removing the NS2 protein from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) allows the human body's immune response to destroy the virus before exaggerated inflammation begins. This discovery could lead to new therapeutics targeting this protein for other respiratory viruses like influenza A and SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism for regulating organelle contacts, essential for producing specific lipids in nerve cells. The study reveals that phosphorylation of a protein at the peroxisomes can block interaction with the endoplasmic reticulum.