Articles tagged with Enzymes
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
A team of scientists found that 5hmC localizes at sites of DNA damage and repair, with TET enzymes playing a critical role in maintaining its reparative function. This discovery raises the possibility that 5hmC helps keep chromatin open for other DNA damage response proteins.
Researchers found that APOBEC3 enzymes target the lagging-strand template during DNA copying, causing C-to-T mutations. This discovery sheds light on a major source of mutations driving tumor growth and explains microbial evolution.
A team of scientists has produced a structural movie showing the creation of S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a major methyl donor in the body that plays a role in some cancers. The research provides insight into how this enzyme synthesizes SAMe and highlights it as an excellent therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Researchers discovered a new type of enzyme assembly in C. thermocellum that allows the microorganism more freedom to explore for additional biomass, providing redundancy in its cellulolytic system. The findings have important implications for industry and could lead to cheaper production of cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels.
Scientists at the universities of Bonn and Leipzig found a way to break through insect shells using enzyme chitinase 2 and growth factor idgf6. This discovery offers new starting points for controlling agricultural parasites and disease-carrying insects, such as mosquitoes that spread Zika virus.
Researchers have successfully treated a genetic disorder using a viral vector to deliver genome-editing components, correcting the disease-causing mutation. The treatment improved survival in newborn mice but showed poor results in adult animals, highlighting the need for further adjustments to the gene-editing system.
A team of international scientists led by Maren Friesen from Michigan State University discovered a previously unknown bacteria that can fix its own nitrogen, a compound used in critical biological functions. The finding has significant implications for reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, making it a 'unicorn' worth chasing.
Researchers have found age-dependent alterations in metabolism and gene regulation in middle-aged fruitflies, linked to a reduction in lifespan. The study identified a common process of protein acetylation as a key factor in the aging process.
A team of international scientists has identified a mechanism for chromatin-remodeller enzymes to regulate gene expression in embryonic stem cells. By mapping the location of these enzymes across the genome, researchers found that they bind to specific nucleosomes before gene sequences, controlling access to critical DNA regions.
A team of researchers found that specific patterns of histone modifications, known as acetylation motifs, play a crucial role in regulating gene expression. The study suggests that the distribution of these motifs depends on the neighboring marks, providing new insights into epigenetic mechanisms.
Scientists have discovered the molecular mechanism behind thyX's role in enabling diseases to reproduce. The finding could lead to the creation of non-toxic antibiotics that block the chemical reaction involving thyX. Several deadly diseases rely exclusively on thyX for survival and reproduction.
Researchers from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found that failing hearts switch to ketone metabolism as an alternative fuel source. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic targets to prevent or slow progression of heart failure.
A team of plant scientists has identified two superior forms of a naturally occurring enzyme known as Rubisco, which could improve photosynthesis and increase wheat yields by up to 20%. The researchers found variation in the enzyme's catalytic properties among closely related genotypes, including wild relatives of bread wheat.
McGill researchers have taken 3D images of a large section from a medicine-synthesizing enzyme in action. The images reveal the intricate way these proteins function and could lead to the development of new antibiotics. This breakthrough may bring scientists closer to understanding how many antibiotics are made.
UC Davis researchers discovered an enzyme, LesA, that plays a key role in the bacterial infection of grapevines with Pierce's disease. The enzyme triggers the process causing leaf damage, unrelated to previously thought mechanisms. This finding opens new avenues for understanding and combating the disease.
New research in The FASEB Journal suggests that genetic polymorphisms in the one-carbon metabolic pathway combined with low vitamin B may increase risk for vision and other ocular changes during spaceflight. This study could help identify issues related to cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and other conditions.
Researchers from Rice University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered how two bacterial enzymes, LigE and LigF, work together as a team to break down lignin. This finding could lead to the development of new biofuels processes that convert plant biomass into ethanol and other fuels.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of enzymes in regulating chromatin, which plays a crucial role in planarian stem cell differentiation. The study found that specific enzymes, Set1 and MLL1/2, target genes involved in cilia formation, suggesting that defects in these processes may be linked to various huma...
Researchers identify NEK7 enzyme's switch-like activity in immunity, leading to potential new treatments for metabolic disorders and inflammatory conditions. The study provides insights into the inflammasome pathway and its connection to cancer.
Researchers have invented a technique to dramatically accelerate protein evolution, allowing them to test millions of variants in hours or days. The technology, called µSCALE, enables the identification of promising variants and their DNA sequences, paving the way for breakthroughs in medicine, industry, and biosensors.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have determined a detailed structural view of MMP7, an enzyme that makes cancer cells more aggressive and likely to spread. Understanding its structure could help prevent cancer cell signaling and slowing their growth.
A team of Israeli and French scientists has discovered a gene that controls the production of male flowers in cucurbit plants, allowing for the creation of female-only flowers. This finding has significant implications for agricultural productivity, as female flowers are associated with higher yields.
Scientists at Cornell University's Baker Institute have developed a device that diagnoses stroke in under 10 minutes using a drop of blood. The technology detects biomarkers in the blood to measure the concentration of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a substance found in higher concentrations in stroke victims.
Scientists at Austrian Research Centre of Industrial Biotechnology discover a new enzyme in white rabbit's foot fern with high activity, enabling efficient recycling of cyanide wastes. The breakthrough opens doors for industrial applications in crop protection and repellent production.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have discovered a compound that accelerates diabetic wound healing, opening doors to new treatment options. The study found that combining an MMP-9 inhibitor with enzyme MMP-8 enhances healing even further.
Researchers have found that deleting certain sugar-adding enzymes from plants results in similar defects across distantly related species, highlighting the importance of these modifications. The addition of sugar molecules to proteins controls tip growth, a process critical for cell wall formation and seed production.
Researchers found that mice exercising on a wheel increased SIRT3 levels, protecting against neurodegeneration and degeneration. Bolstering mitochondrial function with gene therapy technology also offered protection against stress and age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers at the University of York have published research on the 3-D structure of human heparanase, an enzyme that degrades sugars and contributes to cancer cell proliferation. The study's findings will enable a more rational approach to drug design and the development of novel therapeutic agents.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy approach that delays symptoms and extends lifespan in dogs with a comparable disease to Batten disease. The treatment involves delivering a working version of a gene to produce a key enzyme, resulting in striking clinical improvements and slowed disease progression.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that zinc oxide nanopyramids can disrupt the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on medical implants, reducing bacterial load by over 95%. The coating may enable antibiotic treatments to succeed or allow the human immune system to take over.
Scientists at WashU Medicine have discovered an enzyme that enables some fish and amphibians to supercharge their vision to detect red and infrared light, aiding navigation in murky waters. This discovery could lead to advances in biomedical research, particularly optogenetics, where light is used to control brain activity.
Researchers have determined the structure of a key enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which could lead to new drugs for the disease. The discovery provides a potential starting point for developing treatments that target this enzyme.