Articles tagged with Enzymes
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 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.
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.
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.
The study's findings offer a blueprint for designing therapeutic drugs against common forms of lung and breast cancer. Understanding the structure of DHHC20 may aid in treatment of EGFR-driven cancers.
Researchers found that SOBER1, a plant protein, removes acetyl groups added by bacterial proteins, preventing the plant's immune response. This discovery could lead to strategies to boost plants' natural immunity or contain infections threatening agricultural crops.
Scientists at Bielefeld University confirm the presence of a previously unknown genetic defect 'MPS III-E' causing progressive blindness and inner ear hearing impairment in patients. Biochemical studies revealed that the disorder is caused by an enzyme deficiency, which can be treated with biotechnological enzyme replacement therapy.
Researchers have discovered a way to prevent the Ebola virus from spreading by inhibiting a specific enzyme that allows it to copy itself. By blocking this enzyme, the virus's ability to produce more infection is reduced, suggesting potential breakthrough in treatment.
A team of MGH investigators has developed an approach to convert autoantibodies into anti-inflammatory antibodies using enzymes, which showed promise in treating two autoimmune diseases. The researchers hope this method will provide a more effective and efficient alternative to IVIG treatment.
A novel biochemical assay has been developed to rapidly and sensitively screen for antagonist compounds targeting aldolase A (ALDOA), a key enzyme in cancer cell metabolism. The optimized assay is high-throughput friendly, cost- and labor-efficient, and suitable for analysis of multiple NADH-dependent enzymes.
Researchers found that bacteria navigate randomly but are biased towards nutrient sources, unlike enzymes which move towards areas with less substrate. The study used super-resolution microscopy and discovered run-and-tumble dynamics in enzyme motion.
Scientists used fluorescent tagging to track movement of two enzymes in glycolytic pathway, revealing that aldolase chemotaxed up the reactant gradient produced by the functioning of the first three enzymes. This suggests a possible role for chemotaxis in enzyme cluster assembly, such as metabolons.
Glycans are complex structures composed of sugar molecules that play vital roles in cell communication, immunity, and inflammation. Researchers have created a library of enzymes to study glycans' functions, revealing their importance in health and disease. This discovery may lead to new diagnostics and therapeutics for various conditions.
A new homogeneous assay detects succinate using luminescence, enabling the investigation of a large number of structurally conserved enzymes belonging to the Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily. This method has significant applications in dioxygenase research and has the potential to impact human diseases.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have successfully designed non-ribosomal peptide synthetases to produce completely new natural products. This breakthrough enables the creation of novel therapeutics and peptides with improved yields and modified structures, offering new avenues for biotechnology and drug development.
Researchers at NREL discovered distinct roles of small sugars in cellulase activity and stability, shedding light on the functions of glycans attached to proteins. This knowledge can be used to improve enzyme performance for biomass conversion to renewable fuels and products.
Scientists have discovered a vital quality control mechanism in mitochondria, crucial for constructing a functional respiratory chain. A faulty enzyme can attach incorrect amino acids to transfer RNA, leading to protein synthesis errors and hereditary diseases.
A study published in Molecular Cell sheds light on the molecular mechanisms controlling Amplified in Liver Cancer 1 (ALC1) enzyme activity. Researchers found that ALC1's 'macro domain' interacts with its ATPase motor, switching off activity when not needed.
Researchers found that high ADAR1 levels correlate with reduced survival rates and disease recurrence in multiple myeloma. Inhibiting ADAR1 in experimental models suggests a potential approach to detect the disease earlier and address its root cause.
A new drug delivery system uses a synthetic-biological hybrid nanocapsule to target and correct diseased cells at the genetic level, reducing side effects. The platform is programmable, modular, and can integrate diverse peptide sequences for tailored treatment.
A research team has quantified blind spots in protein function, revealing that 30% of proteins with unknown functions are enzymes. This discovery has significant implications for understanding rare genetic diseases and could lead to a better insight into the onset and triggers of inherited metabolic diseases.
A University of Missouri researcher has identified a potential target for therapeutics in treating Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), which may also help recover patients from strokes and other disorders. The study found that an enzyme called NAMPT plays a crucial role in ALS pathogenesis.
A research team led by Whitehead Institute reveals how a key protein in plants can act imprecisely and how it can be successfully re-engineered to enhance specificity. The new study raises standards for bioengineering in the 21st century, using cutting-edge techniques like metabolomics.
Three new studies have identified key proteins in microbes found in extremely salty environments, enabling them to survive in cold, dry conditions. These findings have applications in green biotechnology and could lead to the removal of toxic contaminants like perchlorate from groundwater.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine has identified a critical trigger for the damaging inflammation that causes macular degeneration. The enzyme cGAS plays a key role in detecting foreign DNA and is activated in the dry form of age-related macular degeneration, leading to vision loss.
A Berkeley Lab-led study discovers new types of cellulases from a microbiome, which can break down plant biomass into glucose at high temperatures. The enzymes were cultivated from a cluster of uncultivated bacteria in municipal compost, offering a scalable source for biofuel production.
A new study uses neutron analysis to understand the molecular mechanism of an oxygen-generating enzyme that breaks down chlorite, a industrial pollutant found in groundwater and drinking water. The research opens possibilities for future applications in bioremediation and biotechnology.
Researchers have developed enzymes that can perform complex chemical reactions with improved selectivity and efficiency. These catalysts show promise for building molecules with important biological activity and reducing waste in the process. The discovery opens up new practices for chemists to create more powerful tools.
Researchers have identified enzymes that regulate the speed of protein cargo trucks on cellular highways, a discovery with implications for spinal cord and nerve injuries as well as neurodegenerative diseases. The study found that these enzymes, TTLL-11 and CCPP-1, work together to control traffic flow on microtubule highways.
Researchers identified an improved form of the enzyme Rubisco, which can enhance carbon dioxide-fixation kinetics. The new screening strategy enabled the discovery of 11 mutations that increased efficiency, with potential applications in crops and sustainable food production.
Researchers at UNC and Auckland University propose a new 'peptide-RNA' theory, suggesting genetic instructions (nucleic acids) and small proteins (peptides) interacted to form life. The theory contradicts the widely-held 'RNA-world' hypothesis, which states nucleic acids gave rise to life.
Researchers identified a sulfur metabolite with antioxidant activity that supports mitochondrial energy metabolism, a crucial process for cellular function. This finding highlights the potential of enzymes involved in sulfur respiration to treat diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A recent study by Maastricht University Medical Center and Maastricht University found that a specific enzyme, NOX4, plays a crucial role in the brain's sensitivity to hypoxia. This discovery has significant implications for treating post-stroke brain damage.
Researchers have developed a new enzyme called a base editor that can directly change DNA base pairs, enabling precise genome editing. This technology may one day enable the treatment of genetic diseases by erasing harmful mutations and writing in helpful ones.
Researchers analyzed enzymes secreted by microorganisms living in ocean sediments and found that they break down organic matter to recycle carbon. The study reveals that these microbes scavenge nutrients from dead cells, enabling them to survive in the anoxic environment.
Researchers discovered oxidative enzymes that work together with hydrolytic enzymes to break down cellulose. The study observed these enzymes on the surface of cellulose particles using atomic force microscopy, providing direct evidence of their activity.
Monash University researchers identified PRMT1 as an enzyme essential for the immune system's ability to produce antibodies and clear infections. The discovery opens up new avenues for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases by targeting this enzyme.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have made a significant discovery on how a harmful parasite harnesses energy, which could lead to new treatments. The study reveals that targeting a key enzyme linked to metabolism could be an effective way to kill the parasite without harming humans.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have discovered an ancient loosening of a biochemical pathway that led to the evolution of characteristic red pigment in beets. The discovery sheds new light on how plants can produce various compounds and has implications for beet breeding programs.
Researchers discovered that yeast cells form protein aggregates in response to stress, which are then dissolved when the stress passes. The aggregates serve as a protective mechanism for essential enzymes, enabling the cell to quickly recover from stress.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that the enzymatic function of the fly enzyme Trr may not be as crucial as previously thought, suggesting alternative explanations for its role in cancer development. The study found that knocking out Trr's catalytic activity did not affect flies' viability or gene expression.
Researchers at DGIST have synthesized metal-reactive oxygen species that react with nitrile, a triple-bonded carbon and nitrogen compound. This discovery could lead to the development of anti-cancer prodrugs.
Researchers at Charité found that retinol saturase plays a role in adaptive processes in liver cells, increasing with body weight and reducing negative metabolic effects associated with excess glucose exposure. The enzyme's inactivation may offer a new approach to treating metabolic liver disease and its related issues.
Researchers genetically engineered a microbial host to produce fluorinated metabolites and bioplastics, leveraging the potential of living systems to create complex chemical compounds. The breakthrough enables controlled incorporation of fluorine into polyhydroxyalkanoates, resulting in more durable and targeted bioplastics.
Lina Cui, a UNM Assistant Professor, is leading a large-scale research project to understand the chemistry of disease progression and its role in cancer metastasis. The goal is to develop diagnostic tools that target specific enzymes involved in disease spread.
Scientists at the University of Basel created bio-catalytic capsules capable of producing glucose-6-phosphate, a key metabolite involved in carbohydrate degradation and energy storage. The nanocapsules, measuring less than 200 nanometers, can be taken up by cells and may pave the way for new disease treatments.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme that can break down cellulose fibers regardless of their crystalline structure, paving the way for commercial cellulosic biofuels. The enzyme, CelA, excels at hydrolyzing both simple and highly complex crystalline cellulose.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt develop a new mechanism to channel metabolism in baker's yeast, enabling direct delivery of raw materials to desired enzymes. This approach improves sugar conversion into ethanol while minimizing unwanted by-products.
Researchers have created an engineered form of ADAMTS-13 (BAX 930) to restore the missing enzyme in patients with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a rare and life-threatening blood disease. The therapy was found to be safe and effective, with no allergic reactions or serious adverse events.
Researchers developed a new method to rapidly screen point mutations in bacteria to enhance their efficiency in breaking down tough plant waste, leading to more affordable and sustainable biofuels.
Researchers discovered that cGAS forms a ladder-like complex with cytoplasmic DNA to detect infections. The length of the DNA is critical for this process, and only longer DNA strands activate the innate immune system.
Researchers at Michigan State University studied the unique molecule acylsugars found in tomato trichomes, revealing their diverse structures and potential as natural pesticides. This discovery opens an evolutionary window into plant defense metabolism and could lead to innovative solutions for pest resistance and human medicine.
Researchers have identified a new class of enzymes in hundreds of bacterial species, including those causing disease in humans and animals. These enzymatic flagella enable bacteria to degrade proteins in their environment.
A new study found that statin use can lower the risk of premature death in patients with cirrhosis. Statins may also help alleviate the course of cirrhosis and decrease fibrosis rates.
Researchers found that licorice extracts from three species can inhibit certain liver enzymes involved in drug metabolism, potentially causing interactions with medications. The team plans to develop a safe and effective licorice therapy using a specific species, G. glabra, for women experiencing menopausal symptoms.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified the mechanism behind red blood cell specialization, controlled by the enzyme UBE2O. The study reveals that UBE2O marks proteins for destruction, allowing precursor red blood cells to become specialized and well-nourished with oxygen.
A discovery by a UQ-Columbia University-University of Washington research group has explained the regulation of pyruvate carboxylase enzyme in Lactococcus bacterium, crucial for efficient milk acidification and cheese production. The findings have significant implications for Australia's billion-dollar cheese industry.