Articles tagged with Enzymes
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the dynamic motion of a human chromatin remodeler in action, capturing 13 distinct structures that reveal the full picture of nucleosome sliding. This comprehensive view sheds light on how chromatin remodeling affects gene access and expression.
Researchers discovered senolytics can target Alzheimer's disease-associated brain enzymes AChE and BChE without affecting healthy ones. This selective approach may lead to safer treatments that improve memory and reduce inflammation in older adults.
Researchers at the University of Surrey warn that mpox's sustained human-to-human transmission poses a significant risk to global health. The virus can cause a painful rash, fever, and swollen glands, and has the potential to spread among children, who are at greater risk of serious illness.
Researchers developed a new viscoelastic model of enzymes, elucidating the intertwined effects of elastic forces and friction forces on enzyme function. This breakthrough allows proteins to be perceived as soft robots or programmable active matter, revolutionizing our understanding of enzymatic catalysis.
Cells employ a protein network to repress TE activity and keep themselves healthy. O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is a lead choreographer in this process, protecting cells from genomic instability by restraining TET activity.
Yali Dou, a molecular biologist at Keck School of Medicine of USC, has been elected as an AAAS fellow for her groundbreaking work in understanding leukemia and cancer. Her research on mixed-lineage leukemia proteins has led to the development of potential cancer treatments and a deeper understanding of epigenetics.
A new enzyme discovered can extract high-value molecules from lignin, a forestry by-product, using a hydrogen peroxide-driven process. This breakthrough could support the development of green chemistry 'enzyme factories' to produce valuable chemicals.
Researchers developed a sensor platform that tracks multiple metabolites continuously, offering a window into disease onset and health status. The technology harnesses natural biochemical processes, enabling reliable detection of over 800 metabolites, with potential applications in diagnosing metabolic disorders and optimizing fitness.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered how C. diff converts a poisonous compound into a usable nutrient, increasing its competitive advantage in the infected gut. The findings point to novel therapeutic strategies, including targeting the TudS enzyme to preserve healthy gut microbiota.
Researchers have developed a new strategy to target hard-to-target proteins in human cells by reprogramming proteases to selectively degrade disease-causing proteins. The study demonstrates proof of concept for developing novel therapies for Parkinson's disease, cancers, and other illnesses, using α-Synuclein as a model protein.
A team of researchers discovered that lactate dehydrogenase (BbLDH) is essential for Borrelia burgdorferi growth and infectivity. As a unique biochemical feature, BbLDH can be targeted to develop genus-specific inhibitors for Lyme disease treatment.
Researchers at the Center for Redox Processes in Biomedicine have identified new inhibitors of h15-LOX-2, a protein involved in inflammatory and metabolic processes. These compounds may provide promising candidates for developing new drugs to boost studies on the enzyme's biological role.
Researchers discovered plastic-degrading enzymes in landfills worldwide, suggesting a promising method for plastic recycling. The study identified 31,989 possible enzymes and predicted protein functions using machine learning and tertiary structure modeling.
Ancient bacteria can respire carbon dioxide and hydrogen into acetic acid to produce ATP. A new mechanism involving sodium ions is activated when acetic acid is produced, driving a molecular turbine that generates energy.
Kayunta Johnson-Winters, a UTA associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has been honored as an American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology fellow. Her research on F420-dependent enzymes has expanded understanding of disease proteins and paved the way for potential treatments.
A new enzyme discovered in a gut bacterium has the potential to synthesize unique glycans with prebiotic properties, supporting gut health. The novel β-galactosidase could drive innovation in prebiotic products and contribute to developing new treatments for diseases like Chagas disease.
Researchers developed a new method to search through billions of molecules to identify potential anti-inflammatory drug candidates. The method uses computer algorithms to explore vast chemical space and has the potential to speed up the costly drug development process.
A new study published in Microorganisms explores the impact of starch on oral health and finds that high AMY1 copy numbers alter the oral microbiome, increasing disease risk. The researchers discovered that populations with a history of agriculture and starch consumption have more copies of the gene, which provides a survival advantage.
Researchers successfully developed CoQ10-producing rice through targeted gene editing, offering a cost-effective approach to nutritional fortification. The discovery provides great potential benefit for human health, particularly heart protection, and expands the food sources of CoQ10.
A study by Durham University has shown that E-coli bacteria produce an enzyme breaking down nutrients from dead cells, offering a banquet for neighboring cells. This process demonstrates that death is not the end of programmed biological processes, which can evolve to function after death.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme called CH25H in cancerous lymphatic cells whose properties enable the immune system to fight tumors more effectively. The enzyme converts cholesterol into 25-hydroxycholesterol, a metabolite that promotes antiviral immunity and enhances anti-tumor immunity.
Researchers found that women who had used the oral contraceptive pill had a lower risk of ovarian cancer, with a 39% reduced risk for those who had given birth to two or more children. The study also identified certain biomarkers and lifestyle factors associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer, including lower body weight and short...
A comprehensive study reveals that Akkermansia muciniphila breaks down sugars locked in mucus using a set of enzymes. The findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms behind this process and its potential applications in understanding disease and improving gut health.
Researchers propose a new framework describing living matter as a double cascade spanning 18 orders of magnitude in space and time, with critical points marking the emergence of self-replicating machines and complex societies.
Researchers developed new materials to facilitate electron transfer between enzymes and electrodes, improving biosensor performance. This innovation enables accurate measurements for disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and sustainable energy technology.
Researchers at Kyungpook National University have developed a new approach to map and engineer enzymes for enhanced plastic recycling. They employ landscape profiling to identify efficient biocatalysts for recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET), producing high-purity monomers under mild conditions.
Researchers have identified a key protein responsible for nematode infection in soybeans, paving the way for the development of more resistant crops. By engineering 'decoy' proteins that trick nematodes into cleaving themselves, scientists aim to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and lower agriculture's environmental impact.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University and the Max Planck Institute have identified a single gene controlling testosterone levels in three male morphs of shore birds, also applicable to vertebrates including humans. This super enzyme (HSD17B2) rapidly breaks down testosterone, producing diverse mating behaviors.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a computational workflow that can design thousands of new enzymes, predict their behavior, and test their performance across multiple chemical reactions using machine learning. This breakthrough accelerates the process of creating new enzymes, which can enhance perfumes, clean laundry, ...
Researchers analyzed 74 leaf beetle species to understand how they digest plant cell wall components. They found that most species use either their own pectinases or those from symbiotic bacteria, with no overlap between the two.
A new position paper from the International Osteoporosis Foundation and International Federation of Clinical Chemistry proposes a unified nomenclature for bone status indices to enhance diagnostic consistency and clarity. The guidelines offer a comprehensive framework to unify terminology and improve comparability across studies.
Researchers at CCM Biosciences have discovered novel enzyme activators that fully restore the activity of Sirtuin-3, a master regulator of cellular energy production. These compounds hold significant potential for addressing age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have discovered a previously unreported enzyme that catalyzes the creation of cyclopentachromone-containing compounds. This breakthrough could potentially lead to the development of new pharmaceuticals for treating cancer and inflammation.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a genetic twist in cyanobacteria, allowing them to produce two forms of the enzyme RuBisCo, which could enhance carbon storage. This adaptation may play a crucial role in ocean carbon sequestration and has potential implications for more efficient crop production.
Increasing Rubisco, the plant enzyme responsible for capturing atmospheric CO2, can complement existing efforts to enhance yields while research on complex innovations progresses. This approach may offer benefits sooner than other strategies, particularly in conditions with decreased CO2 concentration, such as drought or heat stress.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a novel class of antivirals that target a type of enzyme essential to SARS-CoV-2 infections and many RNA viruses, including Ebola and dengue. The findings may pave the way for a faster and more robust response to future pandemics.
Researchers at King's College London developed a new method to produce biofuels from fatty acids in cooking oil, making it as effective as diesel with improved efficiency. The technology uses enzymes to break down fatty acids into alkenes, reducing the need for conventional catalysts and toxic chemicals.
Researchers have identified UBA1 enzyme as key mediator for immune response to tumors, inhibiting its activity increases T-cell recruitment and lowers tumor resistance. Pairing UBA1 inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockade therapies may make immunotherapy more effective for patients with 'cold' tumors.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute developed a new, efficient metabolic pathway to convert acetyl-CoA into pyruvate, enabling effective CO2 utilization. The 'lactyl-CoA mutase' enzyme can produce valuable products like 3-hydroxypropionate for sustainable plastics.
Scientists have developed a novel enzyme, SUPer RNA EcoGII Methyltransferase (SUPREM), which can selectively modify RNA and has high methylation activity. This tool can be used to investigate RNA modifications in various diseases, providing new insights into their role in cell health.
Scientists have designed bioluminescent proteins that can produce multiple colors of light for real-time imaging in cellular and animal models. These proteins are small, efficient, highly stable and can be used for non-invasive bioimaging, diagnostics, drug discovery and more.
Researchers achieved significant improvements in ethanol yields by genetically modifying cyanobacteria to optimize carbon flow and overexpress key enzymes. Modified strains produced ethanol at rates between 0.24 and 3.8 g/L, demonstrating robust performance improvements.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that TYK2 transforms tau into a toxic protein contributing to Alzheimer's disease. Partially restraining TYK2 could be a strategy to reduce tau levels and toxicity.
A team of scientists at IISc has devised a way to break down biofilm barriers using an enzyme from the cow’s digestive tract, making bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics. The enzyme successfully broke down biofilms in four strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and prevented its development altogether.
Researchers found that plants have multiple enzymes for adding methyl groups to DNA, allowing them to override genetic instructions. The study reveals the evolutionary history of these enzymes and their unique structures, providing insights into plant resilience to environmental changes.
A team at Penn State developed an experimental pipeline called Cleavage High-Throughput Assay (CHiTA) that can test the activity of thousands of predicted twister ribozymes. The study identified approximately 94% of tested ribozymes as active, revealing their function can persist even with slight imperfections.
Researchers from Osaka University have developed tough biodegradable plastics with movable cyclodextrin crosslinks, which improve both durability and degradation capabilities. The new polymers can be broken down by enzymes into useful precursor molecules, reducing waste generation.
Researchers have identified a unique multidomain enzyme capable of catalysing two separate reactions, cyclization and hydroxylation, on a single peptide substrate. This breakthrough discovery opens the possibility of developing innovative drug molecules with potential therapeutic applications for life-threatening infections and cancer.
Researchers used ex vivo lentiviral gene therapy to treat MPS IVA in mice, achieving partial correction of bone pathology and complete correction of heart pathology. The study suggests potential for novel therapies to treat patients with MPS IVA.
Researchers discovered a beneficial gut bacterium that produces an enzyme capable of metabolizing key molecules involved in regulating appetite, immune responses, and neuronal function. The discovery highlights the importance of gut microbes in human physiology and may lead to new strategies for maintaining health and treating diseases.
Researchers found specific gene mutations in barley affect starch synthesis, forming elongated starch granules with altered properties. Mutations disrupt enzymes, altering glucose chain formation and branching.
Scientists have characterized enzymes involved in the degradation of ethane, a process that plays a crucial role in the biological filter at marine seeps. The study reveals a key aspect of the ethane-degrading microbes and their ability to adapt to different environments.
Researchers at Emory University have discovered a family of enzymes that work to reduce IgG-mediated pathologies in diseases like Myasthenia Gravis. The newly found enzyme was used to treat various IgG-mediated pathologies in mice and found to be extremely effective, requiring only 4,000 times less of the enzyme than current treatments.
Genetic variations in carbohydrate-active enzymes may predict which IBS patients benefit from low-carb diets, offering potential personalized treatment options. A study of 250 IBS patients found that those with defective genes showed marked improvement on a low-FODMAP diet.
Researchers found that ACLY activity activates the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), a pro-inflammatory environment associated with chronic inflammation and aging. Blocking ACLY activity reduces inflammation-related genes in aged cells, suggesting a potential strategy for managing aging and age-related diseases.
Researchers discovered GAME15, a crucial protein for controlling steroidal glycoalkaloids and saponin production in Solanum plants. The study also showed that steroidal saponins play an ecological role in insect defense, with GAME15 knockout plants being more susceptible to herbivores.
A team of researchers has identified mangrove bacteria that can transform polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles, which are a major contributor to ocean pollution. The discovery of novel enzymes and bacterial species with the ability to break down PET could potentially be used to develop new strategies for plastic waste cleanup.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed an innovative synthesis technology to produce high-purity, fully chemically synthesized mRNA. This breakthrough cuts down the production time and can be used to address concerns about purity and speed in mRNA vaccine development.
Researchers found Itaconate stimulates immune cells to produce anti-viral proteins called interferons by blocking an enzyme called SDH, offering a potential therapy for autoimmune and infectious diseases.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a highly selective inhibitor for Matrix Metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7), an enzyme crucial for cancer spread and progression. The novel peptide D'20 demonstrates remarkable stability and selectivity, targeting MMP7 while leaving similar enzymes unaffected.