Research on enzymes and the reactions they drive. Covers enzyme evolution, plastic-degrading enzymes, brain immune cells, and molecular imaging.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed biodegradable and harmless silk micro-rockets using innovative 3D inkjet printing. These devices can be used in drug delivery and locating cancer cells, and have the potential to revolutionize safe biological environments.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory engineered a novel enzyme to alter lignin structure in aspen trees, resulting in increased access to biofuel building blocks without inhibiting plant growth. The modified trees released up to 62% more simple sugars and had an almost 50% increase in ethanol yield
Scientists have developed a magnetically controlled drug that can dissolve blood clots up to 4000 times more efficiently than ordinary enzyme-based drugs. The new material protects enzymes from inhibitors and maintains therapeutic properties over extended periods.
Researchers discovered that red-eyed treefrog embryos use a unique mechanism to escape deadly snakes, rapidly releasing enzyme-degrading substances from specialized glands on their snouts. This process allows the tiny escapees to wriggle through an aperture created in the egg membrane, ensuring survival.
Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic infection causing 50 million cases of amoebic dysentery each year and killing 50,000-100,000. Researchers aim to accelerate understanding of the parasite's metabolism by studying unusual enzymes that enable its survival.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified CD38 as the key enzyme responsible for decreased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels during aging. This decline is associated with age-related metabolic decline and conditions like obesity and diabetes. Increasing NAD levels may be achieved by inhibiting CD38 function.
Chem, Cell Press' new physical sciences journal, aims to move the field forward through original research articles, reviews, and front matter. Key findings include transporters with high selectivity for chloride over other ions, stable phosphorous carbene analogs, and strategies for producing chemicals from renewable sources.
A new analysis of a group of bacteria called Streptomyces reveals the way some strains developed advanced abilities to tear up cellulose and points out more efficient ways to make fuel from plant material. The study identifies important enzymes and new groups of enzymes produced when Streptomyces flex particular genes.
Carbonic anhydrases are essential enzymes regulating the carbon cycle; recent studies focus on naturally occurring products inhibiting CA activity. Various natural product classes, including coumarins, phenols, polyphenols, and terpenes, have demonstrated CA modulator properties.
A new study reveals that an enzyme called NMNAT2 helps protect neurons from protein clumps, which cause degenerative brain diseases. Higher levels of NMNAT2 were found in people with greater resistance to cognitive decline.
Researchers discovered that stick insects can produce microbial enzymes, including pectinases, which degrade plant cell walls. This 'horizontal gene transfer' occurred between 110 to 60 million years ago, allowing the insects to break free from their microbiome's digestive capabilities.
Researchers at Phoenix Nest and LA BioMed are working on developing therapies for treating different forms of Sanfilippo disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects children. The new grants will focus on recombinant enzyme therapy and stem cell treatment to combat devastating brain damage caused by MPS IIID and MPS IIIB.
A new study by UNIST researchers has observed structural changes in carbonic anhydrase for the first time. The enzyme catalyzes a reaction converting CO2 and water into protons and bicarbonate ions at a rate of 106 reactions per second, crucial for regulating chemical environments.
Researchers found a gene called CYP2J19 that converts yellow carotenoids into red ones in the skin and feathers of red birds. The study suggests that for a bird to grow red feathers, it needs not just the redness gene but also a special form of the gene involved in feather growth.
Scientists have identified a cytochrome P450 enzyme that allows some bird species to convert yellow pigments into red colors, enhancing color vision and possibly signaling individual quality. The discovery fills a gap in understanding the genetics of red coloration in birds, with implications for future research on evolution and ecology.
The study reveals ULK1 and ULK2 control protein movement from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, maintaining cellular homeostasis. Restoring this process quelled ER stress response in cells deficient in the two enzymes.
A team of scientists has identified a back-up mechanism for memory storage that takes over when the molecular mechanism of primary long-term memory storage fails. They found that mice engineered without an enzyme crucial to long-term memory storage still form memories because they deploy an alternative method, involving PKCλ/ι.
A study published in Nature Microbiology reveals that tiny ocean organisms called Pelagibacterales help regulate the Earth's atmosphere by producing dimethyl sulfide, a gas that stimulates cloud formation and can impact climate stability. The research shows that these bacteria have a previously unknown enzyme for producing DMS.
A Florida State University researcher is studying the regulation of calcium in heart cells to correct a calcium imbalance and develop new treatment strategies for cardiomyopathies. The goal is to identify components involved in disease development and open the door for more effective treatments inside the cell.
Researchers at University of Bristol and Newcastle University have discovered a natural Diels-Alder enzyme, AbyU, which catalyzes the powerful chemical reaction. The discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics and other medical treatments.
Researchers from Kobe University identified enzymes that convert 3-hexenal into 2-hexenal, reducing the grassy odor in tomatoes. This breakthrough can be used to produce sweet tomatoes with less unpleasant fragrance.
Scientists at Lehigh University have developed a biological method to produce quantum dots using a single enzyme, reducing production time, environmental burden, and cost. This breakthrough could lead to widespread use of QDs in various applications, including sustainable fuel production and water purification.
The Venus flytrap's carnivorous lifestyle is built on herbivore defense strategies, utilizing sensory hairs to capture prey. The plant's genes show a mix of leaf and root characteristics, with glands that supply digestive enzymes and nutrients.
Enzymes play a crucial role in most biological processes by controlling energy transduction and genetic information. Researchers at USC determined that dynamics has little to do with accelerating enzyme-catalyzed reaction rates, clarifying the factors contributing to their activity. This discovery sheds light on the 100-year-old puzzle...
Scientists at UC Berkeley have identified a key epigenetic switch that increases lifespan in mammals, offering hope for new treatments to improve human metabolic function. The discovery was made in the nematode worm C. elegans and found to be linked to increased lifespan in mice.
Researchers at the Universities of York and Leiden have created fluorescent chemical probes to measure acid alpha-glucosidase enzyme levels in human cells. This technology enables rapid detection of enzyme deficiencies, informing more effective treatments for Pompe disease and potentially other inherited conditions.
A team of researchers at the University of Leicester has made significant progress in understanding the role of inositol phosphate molecules in regulating gene expression. By developing a novel peptide-based inhibitor, they have gained insights into how enzymes are activated by these small molecules, paving the way for more specific an...
Researchers at Duke University have discovered the structure of MraY enzyme, revealing a hidden binding pocket that can be targeted by muraymycin. This breakthrough provides a platform for designing broad-spectrum antibiotics that could combat antibiotic-resistant infections and save millions of lives.
Researchers track NADPH production through a novel pathway, revealing an environmental-dependent switch between two recognized routes. The findings have implications for diseases such as cancer and diabetes, highlighting the importance of understanding NADPH pathways in cellular processes.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center report a breakthrough in extending the life of implantable devices by rapidly regenerating molecular constituents in situ. The new approach, using an enzyme called Staphylococcus aureus Sortase A, enables repeated regeneration of bioactive films without device removal.
UCLA biochemists have devised a method to convert sugar into various useful chemical compounds without using cells. The approach, called synthetic biochemistry, has shown promise in producing complex enzyme systems that can function well enough for industrial applications.
Drexel University researchers developed a strategy to overcome biological barriers in cancer medication delivery. By decorating nanovehicles with enzymes and adding an extra layer of polyethylene glycol, the particles can penetrate solid tumors more effectively, increasing antitumor efficacy.
Researchers at Cornell University and Bar-Ilan University discovered a novel mechanism for mutation in primates triggered by the APOBEC family of virus-fighting enzymes. These enzymes can rapidly generate large changes in genes through 'friendly fire' events, which may have been passed on to subsequent generations.
Researchers have developed a magnetically controlled material composed of enzymes entrapped within magnetite particles, enabling targeted treatment of cancer and thrombosis. The new material stabilizes itself without additional stabilizers, making it suitable for intravenous injection.
The researchers genetically modified cyanobacteria to produce enzymes for basic and fine chemicals, utilizing photosynthesis to supply energy. This approach shows promising potential for industrial applications by reducing unwanted by-products and increasing selectivity.
Researchers have determined the atomic structure of separase, an enzyme that breaks down proteins and plays a central role in cell division. This discovery could lead to better treatments for cancer, which occurs when cells divide out of control.
Researchers identified O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) as a key enzyme regulating food intake in mice. Deletion of OGT caused mice to overeat and become obese, suggesting a new treatment target for human obesity.
Scientists discovered a novel metal-binding activity in MamO, a protease that helps build magnetic nanoparticles using a unique motif. The study found that this process has evolved convergently throughout the evolution of magnetosomes.
Researchers developed a new imaging technique that uses tagged peptides to track gelatinase activity in stroke patients. This method may lead to better understanding of how to treat strokes and prevent brain damage. The study was published in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism.
Researchers at the University of Vermont have discovered a molecule that rescues damaged blood vessels without harming healthy ones. This finding could lead to the development of new pharmaceutical therapies with fewer side effects for hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology discovered that stick insects have enzymes capable of degrading complex plant cell wall components, including xyloglucan. This discovery marks the first known xyloglucanase of any kind to be found in multicellular animals.
Scientists have identified a new bacterium that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using just two enzymes. The unique enzymes, ISF6_4831 and ISF6_0224, work together to degrade PET into its simpler building blocks, offering a potential solution to the plastic waste problem.
Researchers have identified a new molecular mechanism underlying neurodegeneration, which may lead to new diagnostics or therapeutic approaches for ALS. Cells construct protein clumps to protect against neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers developed a molecule that can inhibit an enzyme linked with the onset of stroke, reducing brain damage by as much as 66 percent. The inhibitor, known as 6S, works by binding to cystathionine beta-synthase and reducing inflammation in stroke patients.
New research describes how enzymes 'tune' to work at specific temperatures, with a fundamental physical property - heat capacity - being the key. This discovery could lead to designing better biocatalysts for industrial processes.
Researchers have solved the first three-dimensional structure of a deoxyribozyme, a flexible DNA molecule that can act as an enzyme. This breakthrough challenges the long-held perception of DNA's stiffness and has significant implications for understanding molecular reactions and potential applications in medicine.
Researchers identified a more selective iron chelator compound named adaptaquin that blocks specific iron-containing enzymes without affecting total iron. This compound may provide neuroprotection after a brain hemorrhage event by blocking a protein called ATF4, which drives cell death in neurons.
Chemists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered how lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) bind to cellulose, a crucial step in transforming plant waste into sustainable biofuels. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production and development of green energy sources.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a nanotechnology-based delivery system that activates the body's natural defense against free radicals. This system could control various skin pathologies and disorders by inducing antioxidant enzymes and maintaining skin cell redox balance.
A team of researchers at Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh has developed a new way to use enzyme reactions to trigger self-powered mechanical movement. The enzyme pumps can precisely control flow rate without an external power source and turn on in response to specific chemicals in solution.
Scientists have discovered a way to specifically target and inhibit the most harmful behavior of the amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer's disease. This new therapeutic strategy could potentially treat AD without causing major side effects.
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified a significant decrease in mitochondrial complex II activity with age in human skin cells, offering a new pathway for anti-aging treatments. The discovery may also lead to a greater understanding of other organs' aging processes and potential drug developments for age-related diseases.
Researchers have developed a targeted substance that blocks the pathogenic function of an Alzheimer's enzyme in cells, reducing toxic β amyloid peptide production. This selective inhibition may lead to effective treatment without severe side effects, offering hope for Alzheimer's patients.
Pittsburgh researchers utilize enzymes to trigger mechanical movement in fluidic devices, showcasing a novel approach for self-powered systems. The studies reveal complex, time-dependent flows driven by simple enzymatic reactions.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a method to reduce plant lignin using an enzyme, which could lead to cheaper production of carbon-neutral fuels. The technique decreases lignin content by 30 percent while increasing sugar production in model plants.
Researchers have created a library of fungi-secreted enzymes that efficiently break down plant biomass, which could simplify and lower the costs of biofuel production. The discovery highlights the potential of symbiotic fungi from herbivore guts, particularly Piromyces, to degrade lignocellulose with enzyme synergy.
Researchers at Princeton University have discovered the two-step process that activates Suv39h1, an essential enzyme responsible for organizing large portions of human DNA. The study reveals how the enzyme employs a positive feedback loop to chemically tag unnecessary regions of DNA.
Researchers characterize primitive fungi to understand how they break down plant material and convert biopolymers into sugars. This breakthrough could lead to effective plant waste conversion and new chemical production methods, offering a significant step toward sustainable energy solutions.
Scientists have uncovered the 3D structure of an enzyme crucial for Mycobacterium tuberculosis survival. This discovery could lead to the development of new compounds targeting the ketol-acid reductoisomerase (KARI) enzyme, which is only present in bacteria and plants.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a 23.7-million atom system to study the interaction of enzymes with pretreated biomass, revealing why lignin is a significant barrier to biofuel production. The simulation demonstrated that lignin binds to cellulose and attracts enzyme binding domains, hindering fermentation.