Articles tagged with Enzymes
Researchers discovered a small molecule that destroys HIV protein Tat, which is responsible for revving up the virus. The molecule reveals proteins in host cells that can potentially target Tat and halt its replication process. This finding offers new insights into the biology of HIV and potential targets for therapy.
Researchers have gained insights into stress granules, clumps of RNAs and proteins that form when cells are stressed, linking them to neurodegenerative diseases. The study reveals the critical role of two enzymes, USP5 and USP13, in disassembling stress granules, which could lead to innovative treatments.
University of Groningen biotechnologists successfully redesigned aspartase enzyme using computational method, producing kilograms of pure building blocks for pharmaceuticals and other bioactive compounds.
Sandia National Laboratories scientists have engineered E. coli to efficiently convert tough plant matter called lignin into valuable platform chemicals. This breakthrough solves three problems: cost, toxicity and speed, paving the way for economically viable biofuel production from renewable sources.
Researchers uncover the role of SWI2/SNF2 ATPase in microRNA production, revealing a unique gene-editing target to control microRNA levels. The protein has two separate functions: one for its native chromatin and another for the microRNA-producing factory.
Scientists analyzed 107 mammal genomes to find genes that allowed early ancestors to digest insects. They discovered nearly all mammals have remnants of these genes, suggesting a shared insectivorous diet with our distant ancestors.
Bielefeld chemists create a biocatalytic method to selectively reduce sulfur-containing heterocycles, yielding highly enantioselective synthesis of target compounds. The discovery has potential applications in developing new active substances and sustainable pharmaceutical production.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and National Tsing Hua University developed a method to rapidly manipulate cilia's chemical signaling pathways, which can lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating human diseases. The technique, called STRIP, enables precise control over microtubule modifications in living cells.
Researchers from Brazil's National Energy & Materials Research Center (CNPEM) have discovered a key enzyme that can boost the efficiency of sugarcane bagasse saccharification, a crucial step in producing second-generation ethanol. The enzyme, produced by microorganisms living in Lake Poraquê in the Amazon, shows high glucose tolerance ...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine identified depleted metabolic enzymes as a key factor promoting tumor growth in kidney cancer. The study found that these enzymes are universally depleted in ccRCC tumors, which could lead to new treatment options for patients.
Researchers have identified PFKFB3 as a key player in the development of pulmonary hypertension, a condition characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs. By targeting this enzyme, scientists hope to develop new treatments that can help alleviate symptoms and improve patient outcomes.
ORNL researchers developed a method to uniquely identify vehicles using roadside sensors and improved predictive Earth system models for plants' heat wave responses. Computational modeling also aided in filling gaps of olefins breakdown and catalyzation process.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory uncover how membrane proteins organize three enzymes involved in building lignin, a crucial cell-wall component. The discovery sheds light on the metabolic pathway channeling carbon into lignin precursors, potentially leading to new ways to promote carbon storage or biofuel production.
Biochemists and molecular biologists use a new method to label m6A modifications in mRNA, allowing for precise detection using Next Generation Sequencing. The approach enables researchers to analyze the role of m6A modifications in physiological and pathological processes.
Researchers at Duke University successfully delivered CRISPR/Cas9 repressors to silence the Pcsk9 gene, which regulates cholesterol levels, in adult mice. The treatment resulted in reduced blood cholesterol levels and sustained gene repression for six months after a single treatment.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg have discovered how flavins work with oxygen to activate enzyme cofactors, shedding light on their role in metabolic processes and biotechnological applications.
A study has found that the rapid evolution of resistance to pyrethroid-based indoor residual sprays on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, is driven by metabolic changes in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. The enzyme CYP9K1 plays a key role in this process.
The study reveals that a slight change in the substrate can practically stop an enzyme reaction. Computational design of a new variant was successfully produced and tested, demonstrating the method's accuracy and potential for future research.
Researchers have identified key genes involved in enzymatic degradation of sugarcane biomass by three fungal species. The study, supported by FAPESP, provides insights into the genetic mechanisms controlling enzyme secretion and expression, paving the way for more efficient biomass breakdown and production of biofuels.
The LSD1 enzyme suppresses mitochondrial metabolism and slow-muscle genes, promoting glycolysis in fast muscles. Glucocorticoids promote LSD1 degradation, allowing for muscle fiber type differentiation.
A biologically inspired membrane, called memzyme, can capture 90% of carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants with a low cost of $40 per ton. The membrane uses an enzyme to rapidly and selectively dissolve carbon dioxide molecules.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered that plants have a built-in brake on oil production, which can be disabled to increase biofuel and bioproduct synthesis. Disabling the gene for an inactive enzyme subunit increases oil production even under normal conditions.
Researchers at INRS have identified a non-pathogenic marine bacterium that can effectively degrade petroleum products in soil and water. The bacteria's enzymes have been shown to break down benzene, toluene, and xylene with high efficiency, offering an eco-friendly method for decontaminating oil sites.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame discovered that lytic transglycosylase Slt helps gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa recover from antibiotic damage by repairing its cell wall. The enzyme rapidly attempts to rebuild the organism's structural entity, allowing it to survive and continue causing infection.
Researchers created a strain of bacteria that can produce bicyclobutanes, high-energy carbon rings useful in chemicals and materials. The bacteria were engineered using directed evolution, allowing them to efficiently create the strained rings under ambient conditions.
A study from the University of Eastern Finland has found that anthocyanins in berries increase SIRT6 enzyme levels and decrease cancer genes in human cells. The findings suggest a potential role for anthocyanins in preventing cancer growth, paving the way for new drug development.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed artificial enzymes called NanoZymes that can be triggered by light to kill bacteria. The technology has the potential to create self-cleaning surfaces in hospitals and toilets.
A new study by Karolinska Institutet reveals that enzyme FIH determines how muscles consume oxygen, with implications for elite athletes and potential new forms of metabolism-affecting drugs.
Researchers have engineered brewer's yeast to produce noscapine, a potential cancer drug with fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy. The engineered yeast strain produced 2.2 mg/L noscapine after optimization, paving the way for large-scale commercial production.
Researchers at LMU München have developed a synthetic DNA sequence that can inhibit the activities of several DNA-processing enzymes, including HIV integrase. The artificial DNA mimic successfully competes with its natural counterpart, demonstrating potential for new treatments of retroviral diseases.
Stanford researchers engineered yeast to produce noscapine, a promising cancer drug with less toxicity than current treatments. The breakthrough involves introducing 25 foreign genes into yeast, achieving an 18,000-fold improvement in noscapine output.
Researchers developed a process to observe lipid-flipping enzymes' activity in conjunction with membrane deformation. They found that ATP10A enzyme flips phosphatidylcholine lipids, causing curvature changes that trigger tubule formation, enhancing endocytosis and membrane dynamics.
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and JBEI have discovered a new enzyme that enables microbial production of toluene, an aromatic biofuel. The discovery is a major breakthrough in biotechnology, expanding the known catalytic range of glycyl radical enzymes and opening up new possibilities for renewable energy.
Researchers found that restoring SIRT1 reverses vascular aging, increasing capillaries and endurance by up to 80%. The study shows promise for preventing age-related diseases like cardiovascular disease and frailty.
A joint study by the University of Exeter and Bayer AG has identified key enzymes in honeybees and bumblebees responsible for their sensitivity to neonicotinoid pesticides. This breakthrough provides valuable tools to screen new pesticides early in development, potentially avoiding costly restrictions on their use.
Cytokinins have been found to play a vital role in the communication mechanisms of bacteria, plants and animals, regulating growth, development and disease resistance. The research has also uncovered new details on how cytokinins evolve and activate enzymes, challenging previous assumptions.
A recent study reveals that differences in metabolic enzyme activity break down pesticide chemicals, explaining bee sensitivity. Researchers found specific enzymes like CYP9Q3 and CYP9Q4 responsible for tolerance to thiacloprid and imidacloprid, respectively.
A new study from the University of Bristol and the University of Waikato reveals how enzymes 'choreograph' their atomic movements to work optimally at specific temperatures. This finding provides insights into enzyme structure and function, which can inform the design of better biocatalysts for industrial processes.
A novel enzyme with GNA1 function has been identified as a key player in the survival and infectivity of Apicomplexan parasites. The discovery paves the way for the development of targeted therapies against malaria and other parasitic diseases.
Researchers have successfully fused living and non-living cells to harness the natural ability of biological cells to process chemicals while protecting them from the environment. This system can lead to applications such as cellular 'batteries' powered by photosynthesis, synthesis of drugs inside the body, and biological sensors that ...
Researchers at McGill University have developed a new technique for measuring enzyme inhibition, offering a universal approach to drug discovery. The method uses isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to measure heat generated by enzyme activity, providing a direct window into the mechanisms of enzyme inhibition.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a new CRISPR mechanism that can help prevent gene-editing errors. The discovery reveals how the Cas9 enzyme determines where and when to cut DNA strands, allowing for more precise control over gene editing.
Researchers at Stanford have discovered how a disease-associated protein gets inactivated, potentially paving the way for new treatments for celiac disease. The discovery of ERp57, an enzyme that re-forms a disulfide bond to turn off TG2, raises questions about its functions in healthy people and could lead to targeted therapies.
A team of international researchers has successfully stopped the growth of malignant melanoma by targeting epigenetic marks on DNA. By blocking enzymes responsible for erasing these marks, they reactivate a natural protective mechanism called cellular senescence, which prevents mutated cells from dividing and forming tumors.
A study of ancient insects has provided new insights into future biofuel production. The firebrats' unique digestive system has revealed the presence of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), a new class of enzyme that efficiently digests cellulose. This discovery could lead to the development of sustainable low-carbon fuels.
Scientists at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have created a method for tracking specific enzymes in cell compartments, helping identify their roles in various cancers. The biosensors reveal compartment-specific distributions of bioactive enzymes, which may aid the development of targeted cancer treatments.
Researchers used time-resolved spectroscopy to study the mechanism of light-dependent hydrogenation of protochlorophyllide. They found evidence of partially stepwise hydride transfer involving three discrete intermediates. This discovery sheds light on how light energy can be harnessed for chemical reactions.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute successfully reversed the formation of amyloid plaques in mice with Alzheimer's disease by gradually depleting the enzyme BACE1. This approach improved cognitive function and had significant benefits for the animals' health.
The study reveals the importance of sugary appendages on protein surfaces, which differ in composition and branching. The researchers discovered the three-dimensional structure of oligosaccharyltransferase, providing insight into eukaryotic N-glycosylation.
Scientists identified a calcineurin variant CnAβ1 that reduces cardiac hypertrophy and improves heart function by preserving mitochondrial ATP production. This study may lead to new treatment strategies for conditions like aortic stenosis.
Researchers at KAIST have identified a novel molecular mechanism for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) degradation, revealing superior degradability of PET. A new variant with enhanced PET-degrading activity was also developed using structural-based protein engineering.
Researchers identified an enzyme that is absent in healthy colon tissue but abundant in colon cancer cells. The enzyme, GalNAc-T6, attaches sugar molecules to proteins, affecting cell-cell adhesion and leading to abnormal tissue formation. This discovery may lead to new therapies for colon cancer.
A Rutgers study reveals that most primates can digest insect exoskeletons due to the presence of a stomach enzyme called CHIA. Insects have been an essential food source for early primate ancestors, and their nutritional value is comparable to other protein sources.
Researchers created synthetic neurons from a readily available cell line to investigate purine synthesis in the human brain. The study found that the core enzyme FGAMS is expressed throughout neurons and non-neuronal cells, with infection by herpes simplex virus affecting its expression and clustering.
A new study proposes a double mechanism of inhibition of the NF-κB pathway linked to SirT6's action on chromatin. This regulation is associated with cellular stress levels and promotes genome stability and metabolic balance.
A team of scientists at Princeton University has successfully created a protein that can catalyze biological reactions, functioning as a genuine enzyme. The artificial protein, Syn-F4, was designed entirely from scratch and can sustain life in E. coli bacteria by replacing the natural enzyme Fes.
Researchers at Uppsala University have discovered a new strategy to shut down specific enzymes that can help fight cancer. By studying the native structures and mechanisms of dehydroorotate dehydrogenase, they found that lipids play a crucial role in binding drugs to this enzyme.
Researchers at KAUST and TUM have successfully identified and characterized an enzyme from a brine pool in the Red Sea, which shows promising characteristics for commercial use. The study uses single-amplified genomes to produce proteins and provides a roadmap for mining molecular riches of extreme environments.
Scientists at the University of Washington have developed a new biomaterial-based delivery system that releases therapeutics in response to specific physiological conditions. The system uses 'logic gates' programmed with Boolean logic to open and release cargo only when certain environmental cues are met.
A new study found that genetic variations in the CYP2C19 enzyme affect escitalopram levels, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes when doses are adjusted accordingly. The research identified a significant difference between patients with high and low enzyme expression, highlighting the potential for personalized medicine.