Articles tagged with Enzymes
Scientists at Lomonosov Moscow State University have developed nanozymes, which can degrade toxic organophosphorous compounds with high efficiency. The new technology uses an enzyme encapsulated in a biodegradable polymer coat, reducing immune responses and increasing storage stability.
A study published in Science Immunology reveals that a variant of the SP140 protein, an essential epigenetic reader protein, is lacking in patients with Crohn's disease. This deficiency triggers intestinal inflammation and impairs the immune system's response to microbial signals. The researchers found that patients with reduced SP140 ...
Researchers identified an enzyme called CYP46A1 that eliminates both cholesterol and cholestanol from the brain, reducing the formation of debilitating brain lesions. The discovery could inform clinical trials to test the enzyme's potential as a therapeutic target for these diseases.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have identified the key enzymes responsible for oil synthesis in microalgae. The research reveals that four lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases (LPATs) play a crucial role in the formation and growth of lipid droplets, where TAG biosynthesis occurs.
Researchers have used gene therapy to treat Fabry disease, a rare inherited enzyme deficiency that can damage major organs and shorten lifespan. The treatment involves transplanted altered stem cells with copies of the fully functional gene responsible for the missing enzyme.
Researchers have developed a new tool to accurately identify enzymes present in microbiomes and quantify their relative abundances. This breakthrough may uncover novel chemistry in the gut microbiome and provide insights into its impact on human health.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine has identified a crucial enzyme, RAG-2, that enables precise DNA rearrangement during white blood cell development. This process is essential for producing novel antibodies that recognize and combat viruses and bacteria.
A team of scientists led by Anandasankar Ray have identified Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor 6 (HDAC6) as a regulator of learning in fruit flies. The enzyme acts like a 'dimmer switch' to increase or decrease signal across synapses, and its role in healthy neurons is less understood.
Researchers found that inhibiting intestinal protein NCoR1 breaks down bilirubin, eliminating signs of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in mice. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for preventing or treating the condition.
Lily and Yuh-Nung Jan receive $100,000 prize for their discoveries on neural development, vision, and hearing; Michaela Gack, Michael Halassa, and Ahmet Yildiz win $50,000 for their innovative work in biomedical science
Researchers used neutron crystallography to visualize the positions and movements of hydrogen atoms in a key enzyme from Helicobacter pylori, which causes stomach cancer. The study provides insights into the enzyme's structure and potential targets for new medications that selectively target H. pylori without harming useful bacteria.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have identified a potential therapeutic solution for age-related fibrosis by pinpointing the gene responsible for the condition. Deletion of the PAD4 gene has been shown to curb fibrosis in mice, reducing organ dysfunction and improving heart function.
A team of researchers at UD has discovered a new function for an enzyme involved in bacterial metabolism. They found that the enzyme plays a major role when generating sugars from non-sugar substrates and facilitates 'back-flow' even when sugar is being consumed.
A new gene therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in clearing glycogen buildup from muscles in mice, potentially replacing enzyme infusions. The therapy uses a modified virus to deliver a gene that produces an enzyme missing in people with Pompe disease.
A recent international multicenter study has identified a molecule that can help personalize treatment for heart failure. Researchers have found that an excess of lysyl oxidase-like 2 produces fibrosis of the cardiac muscle, impeding its normal functioning and stimulating HF development. The elimination of this excess repairs fibrosis ...
A team of researchers from the University of Basel has clarified the role of the enzyme MPO in fighting infections. They found that MPO produces a highly aggressive acid that kills pathogens without damaging surrounding tissue, providing new approaches for immunity strengthening therapies.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a novel mechanism by which the stress hormone FGF21 protects the pancreas from damage caused by digestive enzymes. This discovery may lead to new treatments for pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.
A new study uses transgenic organisms and biochemistry to test an evolutionary hypothesis on fruit flies' ability to metabolize alcohol. The research found that the amino acid changes in the ADH protein do not improve the fruit flies' tolerance for alcohol, challenging a previous hypothesis.
Using infrared spectroscopy and computer simulations, researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum discovered a magnesium atom contributes significantly to switching G-proteins on and off. This finding has implications for understanding disease mechanisms and developing targeted drugs.
Termite queens have higher antioxidative enzyme levels and lower oxidative damage than other termites, suggesting an anti-aging mechanism that enables their longevity. This efficient antioxidant system allows the queens to live longer despite high fertility.
A study published in Diabetes journal found epigenetic changes in the DPP4 gene are associated with fatty liver development in both mice and humans. These changes, detected at six weeks of age, lead to increased enzyme production and correlate with fat content in the liver.
Researchers at Tufts University have identified over 200 identifiable proteins within firefly nuptial gifts, including structural proteins, enzymes and anti-predator toxins that may influence female reproductive success and paternity rates
Researchers at UConn have developed experimental antibiotics that successfully target and kill MRSA bacteria by blocking the enzyme pathway critical to its survival. By understanding the molecular structure of the enzyme and designing tailored inhibitors, the team created compounds that evade previously resistant strains.
Researchers used neutrons to determine the structure of an important enzyme in Helicobacter pylori, offering a new point of attack for medications. The findings provide insights into the enzyme's mode of action, enabling the development of molecules that can block this process and target the bacterium effectively.
Scientists have discovered metabolons, complex enzyme clusters, for the first time using molecular movie technology. This breakthrough reveals plants' secret medicinal toolbox and unlocks new possibilities for harnessing plant-based medicines.
University of Minnesota researchers have provided unprecedented images of cancer genome-mutating enzymes acting on DNA, offering vital clues into how these enzymes promote tumor evolution. The findings suggest ways to block enzyme activity in cancer, potentially making current anti-cancer therapies more effective.
A recent study discovered that liver cancer drugs fail because the body lacks a balance between two enzymes, Shp2 and Pten. This imbalance activates molecules involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis, leading to liver disease and cancer.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute discovered that a human enzyme has evolved to change its shape and function without major architectural changes. This unique ability allows the enzyme to carry out new roles in humans, shedding light on diseases linked to mutations in aminoacyl tRNA synthetases.
The study found that human ALOX15 has a higher capacity for producing anti-inflammatory lipid mediators than its lower primate counterparts. This suggests an evolution to better control inflammation and speed up the healing process.
Researchers found that a SNAP23 inhibitor increases insulin secretion in mice, suggesting a novel therapy for diabetes. The study also showed that SNAP23 promotes vesicle fusion in nonneuronal cells, including pancreatic cells.
Scientists at Cornell University developed a system where enzymes are attached to nanoparticles to mimic the efficient energy-producing mechanism of sperm tails. The tethered enzyme system processes glucose to lactate more efficiently than free-floating enzymes, with potential applications in powering devices that carry out various jobs.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt discovered a new ubiquitination mechanism in Legionella bacteria that affects cellular processes and causes cell death. This mechanism reveals a broader role of ubiquitin in regulating life processes and may lead to new strategies for developing antibacterial agents.
Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 to remove an enzyme that regulates the diabetes-associated TXNIP gene, leading to reduced cell death and increased insulin production in genetically modified pancreatic beta cells. The study also found that histone acetyltransferases play a crucial role in regulating the TXNIP gene.
Researchers found that individuals lacking the CYP2C19 enzyme have a lower risk of depression and larger hippocampi in adulthood. Increased expression of the enzyme is associated with higher suicidal incidences in depressed patients, suggesting that early life influences may contribute to depression's development.
Researchers at Caltech use directed evolution to persuade bacteria to create silicon-carbon bonds, which are found in pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and computer screens. The new process has the potential to be more environmentally friendly and less expensive than current methods.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis isolated an enzyme GH3.5 that regulates the levels of two plant hormones, auxin and salicylic acid, simultaneously. The study reveals how this single enzyme controls distinct classes of hormones, providing new insights into the molecular pathways for growth and defense.
A new study reveals an efficient means of attaching lipids to peptides, which can improve the molecules' drug-delivery capabilities. This breakthrough enables peptides to be more druglike, overcoming issues with poor absorption and breakdown.
Researchers at the Max-Planck-Institute developed a novel pathway for effective carbon fixation, using a new CO2-fixing enzyme nearly 20 times faster than nature's most prevalent enzyme. This breakthrough enables the efficient capture of CO2 and its conversion into valuable products.
Researchers found that starving gut microbes of natural fiber leads to erosion of the mucus layer, making them vulnerable to infection. A high-fiber diet helps maintain a healthy mucus barrier, protecting against invasive bacteria.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum and Malmö University created a hybrid fuel cell and capacitor using biocatalytic processes, generating and storing energy efficiently. The new biosupercapacitor combines energy production and storage, offering high capacity and low weight for potential use in implantable devices.
Research reveals that mutations in succinate dehydrogenase lead to distinct disease phenotypes, with tumors showing loss of complex I and impaired cellular fitness. Neurodegeneration, on the other hand, does not result in loss of complex I, leading to a metabolically different phenotype.
Researchers have developed artificial cells that use enzymes to move like real cells, maintaining homeostasis like living cells. The lab-made cells can sustain speed based on sugar supply availability.
Researchers found that people living at high altitudes with chronic mountain sickness produce significantly more red blood cells than those without the condition. This is due to an overproduction of the SENP1 enzyme, which boosts levels of other proteins promoting cell division and survival.
Scientists investigate RNA's ability to replicate itself under prebiotic conditions, revealing unexpected non-Watson-Crick pairings that might have hindered early replication. The findings suggest a more trial-and-error approach to the emergence of life.
Researchers created small-molecule probes to discover and characterize novel protein modifications, including a previously unknown glyoxylyl group attachment. The study uncovered dozens of proteins with apparent electrophiles that have never been characterized.
A research team at CRCHUM discovered that the ABHD6 enzyme in certain brain neurons plays a key role in controlling body weight. Blocking this enzyme disrupts normal metabolism and prevents mice from losing weight, even under ideal conditions.
Hokkaido University researchers have identified a key enzyme involved in chlorophyll degradation and the formation of autumn colors. By understanding this process, scientists may uncover novel mechanisms for photosynthesis and discover new enzymes with potential applications.
A recent study suggests that an enzyme deficiency in Krabbe's disease could contribute to mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The protective myelin coating around nerve cells is compromised due to galactosylceramidase deficiency, a condition with currently no cure.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum have successfully combined enzyme and chemical catalysts using a gel matrix to overcome the challenge of different reaction conditions. This approach enables more efficient and cost-effective synthesis of polyphenols, with potential applications in cancer therapies.
Researchers at Australian National University are developing next-generation food crops that can produce bigger yields and resist drought better than current crops. Crops like sorghum and millet use a more efficient form of photosynthesis, allowing them to thrive in extreme conditions.
Researchers discovered vitamins A and C enhance epigenetic memory erasure by increasing TET enzyme activity, a crucial step for regenerative medicine. The study provides insights into the mechanisms of vitamin A and C action, with potential implications for treating vitamin A-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Researchers have discovered peculiarities in the NS3 protease of the Zika virus, a key enzyme that can be targeted for effective inhibition. This understanding may lead to the development of highly specific inhibitors with minimal effects on nonviral proteases.
Scientists found that adding a viscous solvent, or thickener, to a primordial mixture could facilitate the self-duplication of RNA and DNA strands. This discovery provides evidence for the origins of life on Earth, suggesting that gene replication may have occurred in environments with varying concentrations.
Researchers at University of Cambridge identify a competing pathway that diverts electrons away from the electrode, reducing efficiency and potentially damaging the system. The study offers insights into how to address this issue and enhance the performance of artificial photosynthetic devices.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a feedback mechanism that protects photosystem II from damage caused by light and oxygen. This new regulatory mechanism involves the release of bicarbonate, which slows down water-splitting reactions and prevents enzyme damage.
Researchers used existing compounds to target the critical CHIKV protease enzyme, showing potent activity against the virus. Several compounds proved to be effective inhibitors of RNA synthesis and virus replication.
A team of researchers has unraveled the mechanism of a key enzyme involved in bacterial antibiotic resistance. The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry and PLOS One, reveals the structure of Rifampicin monooxygenase and provides detailed information on its mechanism of action.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley, reveals that calcium plays a major role in regulating bone growth and development. By understanding the signaling mechanisms involved, researchers hope to develop regenerative therapies for conditions such as Treacher Collins Syndrome, which can lead to dozens of surgeries during...
Scientists have created a potential nerve agent antidote that can be taken before an attack, offering hope for soldiers and others exposed to these molecular weapons. The enzyme-based antidote was encapsulated in a porous metal-organic framework, enhancing its staying power and effectiveness.
Lignin can be efficiently separated from sawdust using eutectic solvents, retaining its natural chemical structure. This breakthrough enables various industrial applications, including forest, food processing, pharmaceutical and mining industries.