Enzymes
Articles tagged with Enzymes
Researchers identify how enzyme affects infertility and cancer progression
A specific region of Dicer must be activated to achieve proper cell division and reproduction, a discovery that sheds light on the regulation of this enzyme's critical role in both cancer biology and fertility. This finding opens new avenues for studying how small epigenetic changes contribute to disease.
No brain required: This is how the single-celled stentor learns
Researchers at UCSF discovered that single-celled organism Stentor learns through modifying existing proteins with calcium signaling, which is similar to the mechanism used by animal neurons. This finding suggests that learning may be a fundamental feature of life and could have evolved before the emergence of brains.
Protein engineering method may lead to more exact treatments
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.
Scientists unveil how heat-loving enzyme could help improve plastic recycling
Researchers developed a heat-tolerant cutinase enzyme that combines structural rigidity with flexibility, enabling efficient degradation of PET at high temperatures. This discovery provides new insights into designing enzymes for sustainable plastic recycling and addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste.
Breaking the durability–degradability trade-off in polymers
Researchers at The University of Osaka developed a molecular design strategy to reconcile the trade-off between polymer material's durability and degradability. They created a tough material whose enzymatic degradation can be switched on or off using light, allowing for precise programming of its lifetime.
New enzyme atlas rewrites decades of biology research
Researchers have created the first authoritative atlas for human E3 ligases, resolving inconsistencies in the field and paving the way for enhanced therapies for diseases such as cancer, immune disorders, and neurological conditions. The atlas provides a gold-standard reference for studying these enzymes in unprecedented detail.
Molecular garbage on tumors makes easy target for antibody drugs
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a new therapeutic target, SRC, present on up to half of all tumors, which can be targeted with antibody drugs. The enzyme, normally hidden inside cells, is exposed on the surface of tumor cells due to an overactive disposal system, making it an easy target for cancer-killing antibodies.
Printable enzyme ink powers next-generation wearable biosensors
Researchers have developed a printable enzyme ink that simplifies the mass production of enzymatic biofuel cells, paving the way for self-powered wearable sensors. The ink enables the creation of high-performance electrodes with minimal decay, suitable for real-world monitoring applications.
Scientists find a mechanism for how exercise protects the brain
Scientists have discovered a mechanism that explains how exercise improves cognition by shoring up the brain's protective barrier. The study found that an exercise-induced liver protein strengthens the blood-brain barrier, reducing inflammation and cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Atomically engineered nanozymes for immunotherapy and disease treatment
Researchers have developed atomically engineered nanozymes (AENs) that can precisely regulate reactive oxygen species, activate immune pathways, and remodel the tumor microenvironment to kill tumors. These nanostructures also show promise in antibacterial applications, wound healing, and mitigating drug-induced organ toxicity.
Essential role of extracellular sulfatase Sulf1 in reward and aversion learning
Research reveals that Sulf1 is essential for both reward-dependent and aversion learning, highlighting its critical role in adult brain function. The enzyme acts through distinct dopamine D1 and D2 receptor pathways, underscoring its importance in neural circuits involved in learning.
USC scientists identify promising new target for Alzheimer’s-linked brain inflammation
A multidisciplinary team at USC has developed selective compounds that inhibit an enzyme tied to brain inflammation in people at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s. The inhibitors preserve normal brain function and cross the blood-brain barrier, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases.
New AI method revolutionizes the design of enzymes
Researchers have developed a new AI method called Riff-Diff to construct artificial biocatalysts, resulting in enzymes that are significantly faster, more stable and versatile. The technology allows for precise design of protein structures around active centres, making enzyme design more accessible to the wider biotechnology community.
Researchers say resurrected ancient enzyme could explain early life on Earth and beyond
Researchers have resurrected ancient nitrogenases, enabling a new window into the origins of life on Earth. The study provides insights into the evolution of early life and its relevance to understanding life elsewhere in the universe.
Biochar-based enzyme technology offers new path for cleaner water and soil
Combining enzymes with biochar breaks down pollutants into less harmful compounds, improving efficiency and durability. Biochar-immobilized enzymes have demonstrated impressive results in water treatment and soil remediation.
From palm oil to designer enzymes: Frankfurt researchers reprogram yeast cells
Scientists create designer enzymes in yeast cells, enabling sustainable production of industrially important fatty acids. The new method reduces environmental issues associated with palm oil extraction.
Hidden cancer risk behind fatty liver disease targets
Researchers found that blocking Caspase-2 enzyme in mice increased chronic liver damage and cancer risk as they aged. The study highlights the need for caution when targeting this pathway to treat fatty liver disease.
Artificial metabolism turns waste CO2 into useful chemicals
Researchers at Northwestern University and Stanford University develop a new artificial metabolism that converts waste carbon dioxide into acetyl-CoA, a universal metabolite used by all living cells. The system, called Reductive Formate Pathway (ReForm), uses engineered enzymes to perform metabolic reactions never seen in nature.
Breakthrough: Now we can detect specific DNA with a phone
A Danish research group has designed proteins that can detect specific DNA sequences and produce light, which can be captured by a phone's camera. This breakthrough enables quick and affordable analysis of samples in various fields such as healthcare, agriculture, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Tyrosinase drives hydroquinone-induced exogenous ochronosis: not HGD inhibition
A new study finds that human tyrosinase plays a central role in metabolizing hydroquinone into reactive intermediates causing dermal pigmentation. The research shows that these compounds accumulate differently depending on molecular size and bind to dermal proteins, forming ochronotic pigments.
An enzyme neutralizes pathogens by cleaving a bacterial toxin
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.
Rising heat reshapes how microbes break down microplastics, new review finds
A new review highlights how high and extreme temperatures influence the ability of microorganisms to degrade microplastics. The study shows that heat can both accelerate and suppress microbial breakdown, depending on conditions and organisms involved.
Alcohol causes cancer. A study from IOCB Prague confirms damage to DNA and shows how cells defend against it
Researchers found that alcohol causes DNA damage, which can lead to cancer, and discovered a repair mechanism using the SXE enzyme complex. Individuals with genetic mutations affecting DNA repair may be more susceptible to alcohol-related cancers.
Research alert: Old molecules show promise for fighting resistant strains of COVID-19 virus
Researchers have identified promising compounds that can combat resistant COVID-19 variants by targeting an enzyme similar to one used by Chagas disease. Compounds 5a and 5b, synthesized from older chemical libraries, demonstrated strong Mpro inhibition with low toxicity.
New biosensor technology maps enzyme mystery inside cells
The new ProKAS technique provides scientists with a robust way to study kinase activity and its spatial patterns in living cells. By monitoring multiple kinases at once, researchers can track their activity over time and see exactly where they act inside cells.
New study elucidates obesity’s role in fueling breast cancer progression
Researchers found that the leptin-SCD pathway fuels breast cancer growth and motility, leading to poorer recurrence-free survival. Selectively blocking SCD activity can counteract pro-tumorigenic effects driven by leptin, revealing a potential therapeutic target for obese patients.
Overcoming refractory pancreatic cancer through long-term starvation therapy
Researchers developed nanomachines that can function stably within living organisms, enabling starvation therapy to treat refractory pancreatic cancer. This approach improved treatment outcomes by depleting essential nutrients for cancer cell growth.
A high-performance biocatalytic platform for green hydrocarbon production
Researchers developed a highly efficient cell-free enzyme system that achieves remarkable increases in catalytic performance, reduces cofactor consumption, and produces high yields of 1-alkenes. The system overcomes challenges of whole-cell biocatalysts by mimicking the biological reaction environment.
Scientists develop an efficient method of producing proteins from E. coli
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new technology that improves protein production efficiency in E. coli by reducing ribosome stalling. By identifying short translational-enhancing peptides, they created an AI prediction model to accurately predict translation enhancement strength for all 160,000 possible tetrapeptides.
Scientists reveal how human retrotransposon enzyme targets structured DNA to reshape genome
Researchers have unveiled the molecular mechanisms underlying L1's retrotransposition and integration into genomic DNA. The study reveals that ORF2p interacts primarily with the DNA backbone through electrostatic forces, enabling site-specific cleavage during retrotransposition.
New AI tool helps match enzymes to substrates
A new AI-powered tool, EZSpecificity, can predict the best enzyme-substrate combination for various applications. The tool outperformed existing models in accuracy, especially for halogenase enzymes.
Air pollution can contribute to obesity and diabetes
Long-term exposure to fine air pollutants like PM2.5 can impair metabolic health by disrupting the normal function of brown fat through complex epigenetic changes. The study identified two enzymes, HDAC9 and KDM2B, as key drivers of this process.
Magic mushrooms invent active compound twice
Researchers discover two distinct methods for producing psilocybin in mushrooms, one in Psilocybe species and another in fiber cap mushrooms. The finding sheds light on convergent evolution and the unique biochemical strategies employed by fungi to produce the same molecule.
Enzymatic kinetics in an ultra-high-throughput format
Pharmaceutical scientists at NUS developed DOMEK method to characterise enzyme-substrate interactions, enabling analysis of thousands of potential substrates. The technique combines mRNA display and next-generation sequencing to calculate specificity constant for each substrate.
Biochar–starch combo helps lettuce fight back against antibiotic pollution
Researchers found that combining biochar with starch accelerates oxytetracycline degradation and reduces its transfer into lettuce, a widely consumed leafy vegetable. The study's results suggest a cost-effective and sustainable solution for reducing antibiotic residues in farmland.
University of Konstanz secures two ERC starting grants
Researchers at the University of Konstanz are developing new methods to modify natural substances using enzymes, with potential applications in pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, ecologist Catalina Chaparro-Pedraza is studying how organisms adapt to environmental changes and their impact on ecological resilience.
Researchers leverage advanced bioengineering techniques to develop plastics made from sustainable biomaterials
A team of researchers has developed a new method to produce sturdy and reusable bioplastics from domestic raw materials, reducing reliance on petroleum-based chemicals. The bioplastics, known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), have similar levels of toughness and malleability to traditional plastics, but are infinitely recyclable.
Researchers identify protein that evolved to enable photosynthesis in land plants
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has identified a protein, Shikimate kinase-like 1 (SKL1), that enables land plants to convert light into energy through photosynthesis. This discovery holds promise for improved herbicides and increased efficiency of photosynthesis in food crops.
Scientists create an artificial cell capable of navigating its environment using chemistry alone
Researchers at IBEC created an artificial cell that migrates towards specific substances like living cells do. The study demonstrates how microscopic bubbles can be programmed to follow chemical trails and explores the core principles behind chemotaxis.
Deciphering the physical binding mechanism of enzyme–photosensitizer facilitates catalysis-augmented photodynamic therapy
Researchers developed enzyme–PS conjugates that improve PS stability and biocompatibility. Enzyme carriers remodel pathological microenvironments, enabling catalysis-augmented PDT. The study proposed a systematic criterion for assessing binding strength between enzymes and Ce6.
New way to produce nitric oxide on-demand
Researchers have developed new artificial nitrite reductases that can precisely generate nitric oxide under conditions relevant to medicine, food safety, and environmental protection. These synthetic catalysts promise low-cost supplements for hypertension or ischemia and precise antibiofilm treatments.
Charité study analyzes 400 million years of enzyme evolution
Researchers at Charité analyzed the laws of enzyme evolution on a large scale, revealing that certain areas change faster than others. The findings have implications for the development of new antibiotics and other medicines.
A new drug target for treating cancer and viral infections
A team of researchers has identified a molecular mechanism regulating the activity of NMTs, enzymes that modify proteins to regulate biological functions. The study reveals a potential new starting point for developing improved drugs targeting certain types of cancer and viral infections.
Study traces evolutionary origins of important enzyme complex
A team of researchers, led by Bibek R. Karki, traced the evolutionary history of the PRPS enzyme complex to understand its functions and importance in cellular biochemistry. They found that all four enzymes are crucial for cell function and work together to form a large complex.
Cannabidiol and liver enzyme level elevations in healthy adults
A randomized clinical trial found that cannabidiol (CBD) administration led to liver enzyme level elevations in 5.6% of participants and potential drug-induced liver injury in 4.9%. Hepatic enzymes returned to normal within weeks after discontinuation. Further research is needed on CBD's long-term effects and safety.
New protein-based system enables plastic recycling with reusable enzymes
Scientists have introduced an innovative approach to trap enzymes within nanoscale protein compartments, simplifying their use and extending their functional lifespan. This reduces costs and enhances reusability, offering a more sustainable pathway for PET recycling.
Research opens up new avenue for Tuberculosis drug discovery
Scientists from the University of Bath have identified two new families of chemical compounds that inhibit alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (MCR) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a key enzyme for TB survival. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for TB and potentially other diseases like prostate cancer.
Self-driving lab: AI and automated biology combine to improve enzymes
The University of Illinois team created a user-friendly process to improve enzyme performance using AI and automated robotics. By predicting sequence changes and testing variants, they increased the activity of two key industrial enzymes by up to 26 times and 90 times.
Can the enzyme behind high cholesterol be turned off?
Scientists at The University of Texas at Arlington identified a new enzyme, IDO1, that plays a crucial role in inflammation and cholesterol regulation. By blocking this enzyme, macrophages regain their ability to absorb cholesterol, offering a potential new way to prevent heart disease.
Following the tracks of an extremely adaptive bacterium
The study identified two new families of natural compounds, syrilipamides and secimides, produced by the bacterium. These molecules show remarkable toxicity against competing microorganisms, particularly fungi and amoebae. The discovery also highlights the importance of the SecA enzyme in expanding the chemical repertoire of Pseudomona...
Using light-powered enzymes to build clean, high-value chemicals
Scientists developed a precise, cost-effective way to make chiral ketones for medicines, agrochemicals, and more using photocatalysis. This approach solves the challenge of reaching remote stereocenters in molecules, allowing for eco-friendly production of valuable chemicals.
Can enzymes from fungi be used to extract plant components for biofuels and bioplastics?
Researchers discovered that fungal enzymes cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) can efficiently degrade plant biomass, allowing for the extraction of valuable components. This breakthrough suggests a promising method for using diverse, non-edible plant biomass in biotechnology applications.
Caterpillar factories produce fluorescent nanocarbons
Researchers have successfully used insects as mini molecule-making factories to create and modify complex molecules, including fluorescent nanocarbons. The 'in-insect synthesis' technique enables the production of functional molecules with unprecedented precision and versatility.
NZ study supports evolutionary theory of `punctuated equilibrium’
A New Zealand study supports the theory of punctuated equilibrium, which suggests that evolution occurs in short, intense periods followed by long stretches of stability. The research confirms rapid evolutionary change coincides with species branching, potentially leading to its wider acceptance.
Peptide bridging for cofactor channeling in fusion enzyme lowers cofactor input by two orders of magnitude
Researchers develop peptide-bridged fusion oxidoreductase, reducing NADP input and increasing conversion rates. The enzyme's electrostatic cofactor channeling enhances transportation effectiveness factors, suppressing side reactions.
A high-fat diet sets off metabolic dysfunction in cells, leading to weight gain
A high-fat diet leads to metabolic enzyme dysregulation, insulin resistance, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species in cells. Reversing these effects with antioxidants can mitigate damage.
Assembly instructions for enzymes
Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization derived three golden rules to design functional enzymes. These rules prioritize interface coupling, conformational change speed, and reaction dynamics.
Herpesvirus protein mimics host enzyme to balance infection and latency
Researchers discovered that herpesvirus protein kinases mimic human cyclin-dependent kinases, regulating viral infection and latency. Phosphorylation of the viral enzyme contributes to its survival and persistence, while phosphorylation downregulates its activity, allowing for balance between host survival and viral persistence.
Cutting off parasite’s energy supply could help fight malaria
A new study at Stellenbosch University found that blocking the enzymes involved in glycolysis could cut off the malaria parasite's primary energy source and kill it. This approach has shown promise for developing new malaria drugs, particularly against resistant parasites.