Research on enzymes and the reactions they drive. Covers enzyme evolution, plastic-degrading enzymes, brain immune cells, and molecular imaging.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
A new chewing gum-based diagnostic test can detect inflammation in the oral cavity within five minutes, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment. The test uses bittering agents to identify inflammatory conditions, which can help prevent serious complications such as bone loss.
Research provides molecular blueprints for bacterial enzymes, enabling targeted drug development. Key differences between bacterial and human enzymes offer a potential solution to antibiotic resistance.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute and University of Manchester have developed a new method to screen compounds that is more sensitive than existing methods. This technique, called CoSPI, can help identify allosteric compounds that regulate enzyme activity, which could lead to new treatments for diseases like tuberculosis.
A team of Vanderbilt University researchers has worked out the molecular details of Yatakemycin (YTM), a potent bacterial toxin that prevents DNA replication. The study reveals how YTM stabilizes DNA, making it resistant to repair mechanisms, and could be used to fine-tune its antimicrobial properties.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism used by brown rot fungi to break down biomass, using chelators and generating hydroxyl radicals to produce simple building-block chemicals. This method has potential use in bio-refineries for biomass conversion into platform chemicals.
Scientists from the University of Freiburg successfully elucidated the three-dimensional structure of phytoene desaturase, a crucial enzyme in carotene production. This breakthrough offers insights into herbicide binding and reaction mechanisms, which may lead to new agents for crop protection and Golden Rice development.
A NASA-supported experiment on the International Space Station is growing large crystals of pure enzyme to develop improved antidotes for nerve poisons. By harnessing microgravity conditions, researchers hope to create better countermeasures that can quickly reactivate the enzyme and deliver them orally.
Researchers at Caltech and USC identified how to accelerate calcite dissolution in seawater, enabling the ocean to safely lock away carbon dioxide. By adding a common enzyme, they increased the reaction rate by 500 times, opening up new possibilities for mimicking natural processes.
Scientists at USC and Caltech have accelerated calcite dissolution in seawater, which could neutralize carbon in deep ocean waters. This process, known as buffering, naturally occurs billions of years and can help mitigate atmospheric CO2.
Scientists at Imperial College London discovered a way to reprogram macrophages, immune cells that cause inflammation, by blocking a single enzyme. By targeting this broken metabolism, they reduced inflammation in rats and mice with human-like diseases.
Researchers have discovered how certain enzymes in living organisms can repair damaged DNA caused by prolonged exposure to UV light. The enzymes, called (6-4) DNA photolyase, use electrostatic interactions to bind to the damaged DNA and keep it separate from the rest of the cell.
Researchers have identified heparanase, an enzyme present in the cornea, as a key factor in promoting and sustaining inflammation after HSV-1 infection. Elevated levels of heparanase trigger damage to tissue junctions and lead to pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
Experts at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Michigan State University have designed a way to reduce enzyme use in biofuels production. The new approach enables the recycling of enzymes, lowering production costs and making biofuels more affordable.
Researchers found that sulfide-producing bacteria, particularly Halanaerobium, dominate fractured well ecosystems in hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells. These microbes convert thiosulfates to sulfide through a poorly understood pathway, causing problems for drilling operations.
A new study reveals that particle-induced cell death depends on multiple redundant cathepsins, which can be blocked by inhibiting or silencing these enzymes in macrophages. The researchers found that several key proinflammatory events induced by sterile particles are blocked, including cell death.
Researchers discovered that CP12 regulates enzymes GAPDH and PRK, allowing plants to respond to changing light levels. Removing all three forms of the protein results in reduced photosynthetic efficiency and smaller plant yield.
Exosomes, nanoscale sacs containing biomarkers, can capture changes in enzyme expression due to smoking, disease status, and environmental exposure. Researchers aim to use this non-invasive method to achieve personalized medicine for children and teens with varying levels of individual variability.
Researchers at Kazan University have found that ficin, an enzyme derived from fig latex, is effective against Staphylococcus biofilms, a major obstacle in wound treatment. The study suggests that treating wounds with ficin can accelerate healing and improve outcomes.
A human enzyme, cyclophilin 40, unravels protein aggregates contributing to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Experimental expression preserves brain neurons and rescues cognitive deficits in a mouse model.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a new way that legumes, including peanuts, produce an essential amino acid called tyrosine. The team found that a single mutation in a plant enzyme is responsible for this unique pathway, which could lead to increased production of morphine and other valuable chemicals.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a new therapy target for gonorrhea, an enzyme crucial for bacterial respiration in biofilms. A peptide that inhibits this enzyme's activity shows promise in killing the bacteria without promoting resistance.
Harvard Medical School researchers studied chicken embryos to understand the formation of high-acuity spot in the retina, which enables crisp daytime vision. They found that suppression of retinoic acid plays a crucial role in this process.
Scientists at McGill University Health Centre develop novel enzyme technology that prevents and breaks down biofilms, exposing microbes to antibiotics and host defenses. This approach has huge potential to combat biofilm-associated infections responsible for thousands of deaths across North America.
New research reveals the role of enzyme-catalyzed decomposition in the antitumor effect of oxazaphosphorines. Activated oxazphosphorines are decomposed into phosphoreamide mustard and 3-hydroxypropanal, causing DNA damage that can lead to apoptosis.
Researchers found that blocking yeast-bacteria interaction may prevent severe biofilms that cause early childhood caries. The team identified surface molecules on the fungus that interact with bacterial-derived protein, impairing biofilm formation.
Researchers have discovered that a gene called Mt2 in Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes produces an enzyme that blocks the transmission of deadly diseases. The study suggests that this mechanism can be replicated without Wolbachia, potentially opening new avenues for disease control without releasing modified insects into the wild.
UNC researchers discovered that Set2 enzyme is essential for maintaining proper transcription during cellular stress, preventing mis-expression of genes and promoting cancer initiation. The study's findings have implications for understanding cancer development and potential therapeutic strategies.
A Cornell University study reveals genetic adaptations to plant-heavy diets led to increased frequency of FADS1 gene variants, crucial for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid production. This discovery has implications for personalized dietary recommendations based on individual genetic backgrounds.
Scientists develop new fluorescent imaging agents to detect enzyme activity in healthy and diseased tissues, enabling early disease identification and direct measurement of drug treatment effectiveness.
Researchers have discovered a new complex of enzymes in herbivore gut fungi that can break down plant biomass into sugars, offering potential for sustainable fuels and chemicals. The unique structure of these enzymes, called cellulosomes, has the potential to be engineered for industrial use, reducing the need for current enzyme mixtures.
Researchers have created a method to produce P450 enzymes in bacterial cell factories, which are also involved in the biosynthesis of active ingredients used in cancer drugs. The process could facilitate large-scale production of these enzymes, allowing for more efficient treatment of diseases such as cancer and psoriasis.
The study reveals that Echinolittorina snails have a unique enzyme structure that enables them to maintain protein stability at high temperatures, allowing them to thrive in hot environments. The researchers found that subtle differences in amino acid sequences between the snail proteins enabled them to remain functional and stable at ...
Plant biologists at Utrecht University have discovered how the plant metabolises jasmonic acid, issuing the signal 'safe'. The discovery of four related enzymes that break down jasmonic acid reveals a crucial mechanism for controlling its levels.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to synthesize ß-lactone peptides, a new class of antibiotics, by copying bacterial enzymes. These peptides inhibit serine hydrolases and may be useful in treating cancer, obesity, and infectious diseases.
Researchers have discovered that early lineages of fungi can form protein complexes capable of degrading plant biomass, teaming up to work more efficiently. The findings, enabled by a collaborative science initiative, could help advance sustainable biofuels production.