Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology used molecular simulations to investigate how an enzyme's shape affects molecular recognition and ligand retention. They found that enzyme shape influences ligand retention, with 75.6% of trajectories in the closed group retaining ligands compared to 55.1% in the open group.
Researchers discovered a remarkable nitrogenase in the deep-sea archaeon Methanocaldococcus infernus, capable of fixing nitrogen at temperatures above 90°C. The enzyme's exceptional stability allowed scientists to study its structure and function, providing new insights into the nitrogen fixation process.
A study found that a bacterial enzyme BvDPP4, produced by gut microbes, weakens a protective intestinal signal GLP-2, aggravating colitis in a preclinical model. Inhibiting BvDPP4 with theaflavin improved colitis symptoms.
Researchers from Aarhus University have discovered 12 new enzymes that can break down polyurethane and nylon. The best candidate, CC PUR1, was found in a compost heap and has a wide binding cleft, making it more stable and effective at breaking down plastic. This breakthrough could improve the recycling of difficult-to-degrade plastics.
Researchers have developed an enzyme that can break down polyurethane in shoe foams, a significant step towards recycling plastic waste. The enzyme, based on a bacterium found in compost, can degrade polyurethane at lower temperatures and pressures than current recycling technologies.
The institute will develop two Prometeo projects to create new chiral materials and enzyme-inspired catalysts for energy and catalysis. The projects aim to harness chirality to tune chemical reactivity and selectivity, with potential applications in energy, catalysis, and pharmaceutical industries.
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.
A new enzyme, named Pac-Man enzyme, has been discovered in bacteria that can break down certain polyesters and bioplastics, providing a potential solution to plastic pollution. This discovery suggests that microorganisms can adapt to plastic degradation more rapidly than previously thought, offering a turning point in the plastisphere.
Salk Institute researchers found microglia's novel way to contribute to ALS progression and death, using TAM receptors to find and kill motor neurons in spinal cords of mice with ALS. The study suggests a new target for therapy innovation, but notes the complexity of variables involved.
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 team of Penn State researchers has developed a synthetic enzyme mimic that can drive chemical reactions using oxygen, producing only water as waste. This breakthrough could potentially be used in sustainable industrial chemical syntheses and pharmaceutical drug development.
Nitrogenases containing molybdenum are more efficient due to their ability to help nearby iron atoms bind to nitrogen. This is a critical step in breaking the nitrogen-nitrogen triple bond and converting nitrogen gas to ammonia. The findings could guide the design of synthetic catalysts that convert nitrogen gas to ammonia.
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 have determined the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of E. coli TGT, overturning a prevailing model for bacterial TGT function. The study reveals the enzyme binds to two tRNAs, providing a more complete picture of protein modification and potential antivirulence targets.
Scientists have developed a method to encapsulate enzymes in a protective molecular cage, enabling efficient and recyclable reactions at high temperatures. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for sustainable chemical manufacturing and could lead to the creation of new products in industries such as cosmetics.
A review study reveals diverse metabolite families containing atypical atoms, including fluorine, selenium, arsenic, and boron, with distinct biological functions and properties. These elements shape natural products with structural and functional versatility, paving ways toward sustainable biotechnologies.
A single-group, open-label study found that olorofim, a novel antifungal agent, showed efficacy in patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis, a rare complication of Valley Fever. By days 42 and 84, about 76% and 73% of patients showed clinical improvement, respectively.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered the 'double-donut' structure of SPOP, a protein critical to regulating gene expression in cells. The study reveals how certain cancer mutations disrupt this balance, leading to disease progression.
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 brain enzyme has been found to build polysialic acid chains on itself, regulating its own activity. The sugar chain acts as a switch, suppressing the enzyme's function when attached. Once removed, the enzyme reactivates outside the cell, offering a new mechanism for regulation and repair.
Researchers have made major steps toward solving the mystery of how brain aneurysms form by identifying key cell types and genetic pathways involved. The study's findings provide new insights into a clinical paradox: smaller aneurysms can still rupture, and offer opportunities for early intervention to prevent ruptures.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science engineered CYP107J1 enzyme from Bacillus subtilis into a more practical tool for selective oxidation chemistry. The modified enzyme showed 28-fold higher catalytic activity and successfully converted indole into indigo, a commercially important blue dye.
The study provides new insight into how cells recognize and remove harmful DNA bases using human SMUG1 enzyme. The enzyme removes uracil and related damaged bases from DNA to prevent permanent mutations.
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 discover that kinases play a crucial role in moving cholesterol to activate a growth pathway in aggressive cancers. Without these enzymes, cancer cells are blocked from fueling tumor growth. The study highlights the importance of targeting lipid enzymes as a potential treatment strategy for cancers with TP53 mutations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.