Research on enzymes and the reactions they drive. Covers enzyme evolution, plastic-degrading enzymes, brain immune cells, and molecular imaging.
Researchers found that leukemia cells are 'addicted' to vitamin B6, using it to accelerate cell division. By limiting this enzyme's activity, a new drug could slow or stop cancer growth without harming healthy cells.
A new study published in Nature Plants reveals that there is no simple or universal solution to the problem of engineering plants to cope with the challenges posed by climate change. Higher levels of photoprotection may actually interfere with other mechanisms important for plant growth, and targeted adaptation is a complex task.
Studies in mice and humans with pancreatitis reveal a link between FGF21 deficiency and the disease. Replacement therapy with FGF21 may reverse conditions in about 24 hours, offering a new treatment strategy for acute pancreatitis.
Researchers discovered that DHCR7 inhibitors and intermediate cholesterol metabolite 7-DHC promote IFN-I production and an antiviral response by activating AKT3 and IRF3. This may aid in the development of new drugs to treat viral infections.
Researchers have discovered a new alginate lyase in a heat-loving bacterium that can directly utilize brown algae and ferment its components into ethanol with high-yield. The study has identified previously unknown enzymatic families contributing to bioconversion, shedding light on sustainable seaweed-based biofuel production.
A study reveals that predatory lacewing larvae can tolerate the toxic isothiocyanates produced by caterpillars of the diamondback moth, which are unable to detoxify glucosinolates. This difference in detoxification mechanism has no impact on lacewing fitness or prey choice.
University of Wisconsin-Madison chemists create a novel method for synthesizing large ring-shaped molecules, the backbone of many pharmaceuticals, using foldamers that mimic enzymes' ability to bring molecular ends together and form rings.
Researchers have designed artificial sweetener derivatives that inhibit two tumor-associated enzymes, showing improved activity against cancer cells. These compounds selectively bind to enzymes CA IX and XII, making them potential anti-cancer drugs.
Researchers have discovered an unusual light-dependent enzyme in microalgae that can convert organic waste oils and fats into sustainable biofuels. The goal is to develop a system that can produce drop-in fuels from waste oils and fats, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Researchers discovered a single female pangolin has higher levels of chitinase, an enzyme breaking down insect protein, than other animals. This suggests pangolins have specialized dietary needs and require specific foods when raised in captivity.
A team of researchers at Penn State developed protocells with enzymatic activity, actively moving independently like living cells. High ATP concentrations surprisingly suppress protocell movement by binding to the ATPase enzyme.
A recent study has found that BPA levels in humans are significantly higher than previously estimated, with a 44-fold increase in exposure. The research challenges the safety assumptions of regulatory agencies and highlights the need for more accurate measurement methods.
Enzymes from white rot fungi accelerate lignin breakdown in wood, a key step in carbon cycling. This process is the rate-determining step in the global carbon cycle, with half-life exceeding the age of the universe.
Flinders University researchers have developed a method to enhance plant tolerance to climate change stressors by manipulating mitochondrial respiration. This approach has shown promise in improving plant recovery from drought and high light conditions.
Researchers have uncovered the critical genetic components responsible for oat's natural defense against soil pathogens, including the notorious Take-all disease. The finding holds significant implications for breeding other crops with similar resistance mechanisms.
A study by Adrien Guillot et al. found that knockout of the ALDH-2 enzyme in mice reduces excessive but not moderate alcohol seeking activity. Targeting this enzyme specifically in the liver may prevent heavy drinking without affecting moderate consumption.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered a way to monitor enzyme workflows, allowing them to target the amino acid composition of enzymes. This enables more efficient enzyme design, leading to lower drug costs, reduced CO2 emissions, and greener chemistry.
A team of researchers at the University of Arizona has uncovered a previously unknown cellular structure that enables bacteria to rapidly defend against viruses. This newly formed filament increases DNA-cleaving ability by 200 times, making it an essential component of bacterial immune responses.
The University of Adelaide team identified an enzyme that helps produce natural tartaric acid in grapes, enabling winemakers to balance sweetness and acidity. This discovery has the potential to save the Australian wine industry significant sums of money by reducing reliance on expensive additives.
A team of researchers at Penn State developed a way to control the direction of self-propelled protocells using enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions. The protocells can move towards or away from specific chemical signals, enabling targeted drug delivery and reducing the amount of medication required.
A new study found that genetic variants influence the benefits of broccoli on kidney health, suggesting tailored dietary interventions. Individuals with a specific gene variant (GSTM1) who consume cruciferous vegetables may experience improved kidney function.
Researchers at DTU Biosustain successfully produced 0.6g/L of ergothioneine in yeast broth, a promising antioxidant with neuroprotective effects. The production method could lead to cheaper and more accessible supplements, addressing high market prices due to chemical synthesis costs.
Researchers at McGill University have made significant strides in understanding the functioning of enzymes that produce antibiotics and therapeutics. The study found a surprising level of flexibility in the assembly line of nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), which could lead to new therapeutic design possibilities.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with increased infection events in children. Genetic testing can help identify patients at risk, allowing for tailored treatment and reduced side effects.
Scripps Research scientists have discovered a way to stop a problematic enzyme from wreaking havoc on peripheral nervous system cells in patients with a specific subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. By preventing the enzyme's entry into the nucleus, researchers achieved a complete rescue of symptoms in fruit fly models.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology reveals the mechanisms of memory formation and learning in the brain. The research team analyzed neuronal circuits and synaptic plasticity to understand how the nervous system adapts to changing conditions.
Researchers have identified a new bacteria-killing toxin that depletes cells of ATP, leading to bacterial death. This discovery holds potential for developing alternatives to antibiotics and addressing antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers discovered the structure of ZCCHC4, an RNA-modifying enzyme linked to cancer, enabling structure-based drug design against liver and other cancers. The study sheds light on how this enzyme controls protein synthesis and cell proliferation.
Researchers demonstrate the production of a wide range of sulfated aromatic compounds, including antifouling agents and pharmaceuticals, using microbial hosts. The process enables the large-scale production of sulfated phenolic compounds, offering potential applications in medicine, nutraceuticals, and other industries.
Scientists have developed a new material that controls cell immune response, using inhibitors placed directly in the material. The polycaprolactone scaffolds are biodegradable and release the inhibitors gradually, which can reduce negative consequences after heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers discovered that itaconate, a compound produced by the immune system, tricks Mtb into using propionate as a growth source. This reaction produces a stable biradical that lingers for over an hour, enabling researchers to grow crystals of the enzyme and understand its mechanism.
Researchers have identified a new enzyme that inhibits the LRRK2 pathway, which is responsible for most genetic cases of Parkinson's disease. The discovery provides hope for developing new treatments and suggests that the enzyme could benefit all individuals, regardless of whether they have Parkinson's or not.
The study analyzed how enzymes work and reconstructed the evolutionary history of metabolic networks, showing they became less random and more organized over time. The researchers created a database called MANET, which revealed that early metabolic pathways were more random and less efficient than present-day ones.
A new study reveals that PGV-1, an analogue of turmeric's curcumin, effectively suppresses tumor cell growth and causes cell death in various types of cancers. The compound's ability to selectively target cancer cells with minimal side effects may lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
A new study on an enzyme crucial for photosynthesis has uncovered a structural understanding of how light activates chlorophyll synthesis. The researchers discovered how the enzyme captures light and channels it to drive a biological reaction, paving the way for bioengineering artificial light-activated enzymes.
Researchers identify previously unknown proteins that suppress trypsin activity, protecting tapeworms from digestive enzymes. The discovery sheds light on the molecular diversity of tapeworms and their ability to evade host immune systems.
Scientists discovered that bacterial cell division requires both mechanical and biological processes. The study found that a build-up of mechanical stress in the cell wall is necessary before division occurs, and can even be triggered by physical pressure.
Researchers at the University of Dundee have discovered an enzyme that could prevent Group A Streptococcus infections by inhibiting a carbohydrate coating on the bacterium's surface. The discovery offers new opportunities for developing antimicrobial drugs with minimal off-target effects.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have obtained 3D structural snapshots of the enzyme Cdc34, a key regulator of cell growth and activity. The team found unique features that could be targeted to develop novel cancer therapeutics with precision.
A new strategy to treat Parkinson's disease has been developed by amplifying healthy GCase enzymes, alleviating symptoms in both human brain cells and mouse models. This approach may be relevant for multiple forms of PD with reduced activity of wild-type GCase.
Researchers at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have created a single system that can diagnose and treat viral infections using Cas13, a CRISPR RNA-cutting enzyme. The system, called CARVER, reduces viral RNA levels by up to 40-fold in human cells.
Colon cells use an enzyme called SQR to convert hydrogen sulfide into CoA persulfide, allowing prioritization of poisonous gas clearance over energy production. A diet lacking in fiber may exacerbate the effects of hydrogen sulfide or ability to detoxify it.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease causes damage to the peripheral nervous system, affecting balance and motor skills. Researchers found that mutated enzymes take on an unusual shape, leading to unwanted interactions with nearby proteins and potential disease severity.
A German-Australian team of researchers has successfully converted carbon dioxide into ethanol and propanol using metallic nanoparticles, also known as nanozymes. This breakthrough is based on the principle of enzyme cascade reactions, where complex molecules are produced from comparatively simple raw materials.
A new filter developed at the University of Exeter can degrade and dissolve plastic microfibres released during washing, which account for over a third of ocean microplastics. The smart filter catches microfibres and uses enzymes to break them down into safe compounds.
Dr. Jin Liu is working on a $437,864 grant to develop more precise gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, aiming to reduce off-target effects and increase on-target effectiveness for treating life-threatening diseases such as cancer, eye diseases, and sickle cell anemia.
Researchers observed flavobacteria forming tubes and then strings of pearls, which capture and break down laminarin sugar for nutrition. This ecological strategy appears successful, as the bacteria are found in large numbers after algal blooms.
Fungi's genes encode enzymes that use simple building blocks to build complex molecules through a decade-long collaborative research effort, revealing a surprising Diels-Alder reaction. This discovery opens paths for improving chemical reactions and harnessing the enzyme to create new compounds with biological activities.
Researchers discovered a bacterial enzyme that removes Neu5Gc from cells, potentially preventing inflammatory diseases. A new type of sialidase was found in the gut microbiomes of mice fed with red meat-like diet, which can be leveraged to strip away animal carbohydrates.
Researchers found that Leishmania parasites protect themselves from starvation by making an unusual carbohydrate reserve called mannogen, which enables their survival within human hosts. This discovery provides a new understanding of the parasite's metabolism and could lead to the development of new therapies for Leishmaniasis.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a new biochemical trick used by microbes to produce an antimicrobial compound effective against malaria. The discovery reveals a completely unknown production pathway, which may lead to the development of more efficient and cost-effective methods for producing similar compounds.
Researchers have visualized the atomic structure of the metabolic enzyme transhydrogenase (NNT) using cryo-electron microscopy. The study reveals the enzyme's channel gating mechanism and has implications for understanding metabolic regulation and developing novel therapies.
Researchers discovered that tryptase enzyme causes blood vessel leakage in severe dengue, leading to shock and bleeding. A possible new treatment strategy using nafamostat mesylate is being explored to prevent hemorrhaging and reverse shock.
Researchers at UAB aim to understand the biological changes underlying major depressive disorder by studying RNA chemical modifications. They will analyze postmortem brain tissue for changes in mRNA methylation and its impact on gene expression.
Using a new technique called DOMINO, MIT researchers can store and record complex 'memories' in the DNA of living cells. The system allows for precise editing of DNA bases to encode information, enabling scalable and defined memory systems similar to silicon-based computers.
A new UNC School of Medicine study found elevated levels of protease enzymes in e-cigarette users' lungs, similar to those seen in smokers with emphysema. Nicotine is believed to be the cause of this reaction, which could lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and shortness of breath.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute develop CRISPR-responsive smart materials that can release bound cargo, change structures, or regulate electric circuits. These materials have potential for novel theranostic strategies, point-of-care diagnostics, and regional monitoring of epidemic outbreaks.
Researchers discovered that Toxoplasma gondii requires linoleic acid to complete its sexual phase of life, a nutrient found at high levels in feline intestines. The finding may lead to the development of treatments to reduce the spread of toxoplasmosis from cats to humans.
Researchers at Michigan State University have created a synthetic nano-sized factory using a new shell protein that can be controlled to direct useful enzymes inside. The team successfully produced factory shells with the new protein, allowing them to incorporate molecules and control cargo imports.
Researchers discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces a unique type of antacid that prevents phagosomes from fusing with lysosomes, allowing the bacteria to survive. The mechanism involves the production of 1-tuberculosinyladenosine, an acid that reduces acidity and hinders immune cell digestion.