Articles tagged with Enzymes
A study published in Chemical Communications suggests that a natural plant chemical called trans-chalcone can help prevent tooth decay. By blocking the action of an enzyme that allows bacteria to thrive, researchers found that trans-chalcone prevents the formation of plaque and biofilms around teeth.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that an enzyme called 11β-HSD1 is increased in muscles of older women, leading to reduced grip strength and insulin resistance. The researchers believe inhibiting this enzyme could hold the key to preventing or reversing muscle wasting associated with aging.
Researchers at Princeton University have revealed the structure and biosynthesis of streptide, a peptide involved in bacterial quorum sensing. The study used a combination of chemical and biological approaches to determine the structure of streptide and its mechanism of production.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories and the University of Maryland have developed a new cancer treatment method that withholds an essential nutrient from cancer cells, starving them until they self-destruct. The method involves removing asparagine, a nutrient that cancer cells can't produce on their own.
A new study demonstrates the ability to visualize metabolic enzyme structures at near-atomic detail using cryo-electron microscopy. This advancement has immense implications for drug design and development, revolutionizing the field of structural biology.
Researchers found that chronic high blood sugar disrupts mitochondria activity by altering levels of O-GlcNAc transferase and removal enzymes. This leads to less efficient energy production, increased heat and damaging molecules, and further elevates blood sugar.
Researchers at UCSF-Brown have discovered an enzyme that breaks down bat tissue, exacerbating the spread of white-nose syndrome. They identified Destructin-1, a collagen-digesting enzyme, and found potential inhibitors, paving the way for new treatments.
Researchers successfully boost enzyme activity by 170-fold, rendering antigen-neutral and compatible with all patients regardless of blood type. This breakthrough advances blood transfusions and potentially organ and tissue transplants from mismatched donors.
Scientists at the University of British Columbia have created an enzyme that can alter the sugar structures in Type A and B blood, making it more compatible with Type O blood. The breakthrough could lead to a solution for blood transfusion shortages, as the universal donor Type O blood can be given to patients of all blood types.
Scientists at University of Otago challenge traditional understanding of enzyme evolution, finding evidence of rapid evolution and ancient catalysts. The research has implications for designing proteins with biomedical applications.
AMPK activity levels vary across cellular compartments, affecting different sets of proteins. In unstressed cells, the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane had low activity, while the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum showed high activity.
Researchers at Neuromed Institute discovered a molecular mechanism causing ADHD symptoms, linked to PI3K gamma enzyme dysregulation and hyperactivation of Locus Ceruleus brain area. This finding offers a new understanding of the disease, paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches.
Researchers found that chronic drinking is associated with higher CYP2E1 and CYP2U1 protein expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and amygdala (AMG), particularly in the AMG. This could lead to interactions between metabolism of drugs and endogenous substrates, altering drug response and brain physiology.
Researchers found that papain breaks down skin cell connections, leading to increased skin permeability and inflammation. The enzyme can still trigger allergic reactions even when its enzymatic function is blocked.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of a natural insecticide, Spinosyn A, at lower temperatures than previously thought. The new mechanism reveals how the enzyme guides the substrate towards the transition state, resulting in a more energetically balanced reaction.
Researchers from CNIO have developed a new anti-obesity treatment that reduces body weight and improves metabolic syndrome symptoms in obese mice and monkeys. The treatment, CNIO-PI3Ki, selectively targets the storage of nutrients in excess, leading to weight loss without affecting other tissues or brain function.
The TSRI team found that a specific enzyme called ItpkB is crucial in maintaining healthy periods of inactivity in blood stem cells. Without this enzyme, HSCs become hyperactive, leading to anemia and other diseases. Researchers are now exploring the potential of targeting ItpkB to develop new therapies for these conditions.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered that cytomegalovirus manipulates fatty acid elongation, a process essential for virus replication. The virus induces the expression of elongase enzyme 7, which is necessary for efficient replication.
Scientists have identified PDE-9 as the long-sought culprit in heart failure by analyzing lab animals and human heart cells. The enzyme interferes with the body's natural 'braking' system, leading to progressive weakening and stiffening of the heart muscle.
Researchers found that Ras activity determines circadian clock phase and induces phase-shifts in response to light. Artificially increased Ras activity alters the circadian rhythm.
A new study found that a vole's aerobic exercise metabolism increased by 48% and basal metabolic rate rose after 13 rounds of selection for enhanced oxygen consumption. Gene expression changes in the heart and liver were identified as the primary adaptive response.
Researchers at Australian National University have made a breakthrough in boosting the sluggish activity of Rubisco, a crucial enzyme for plant growth. By introducing a modified version of RAF1, scientists successfully doubled Rubisco levels in leaves, leading to increased photosynthesis and plant growth.
A new pretreatment process called Co-solvent Enhanced Lignocellulosic Fractionation (CELF) reduces the need for enzymes in biofuel production by up to 90%, cutting costs by 30% or more. This technology also extracts up to 90% of lignin from biomass, paving the way for additional high-value chemicals and fuels.
Scientists have discovered evidence of life pulling nitrogen out of the air and converting it into a form that could support larger communities, 3.2 billion years ago. This finding suggests that life on early Earth was more diverse than previously thought, with no nitrogen crisis to limit its growth.
Scientists from UNC-Chapel Hill have developed a groundbreaking research tool to investigate epigenetic mechanisms, shedding light on the critical role of histone proteins in gene regulation. This breakthrough may lead to new insights into diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the biosynthetic pathway of CoQ10, a molecule essential for cellular metabolism. The study, led by Dr. David J. Pagliarini, reveals that protein CoQ9 regulates enzyme Coq7, and that CoQ10 synthesis is organized as a multiprotein complex to increase efficiency and regulation.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered a new quality control mechanism where RNAs proofread themselves, ensuring proteins are made correctly. The CCA-adding enzyme uses a screw-like motion to add CCA groups to tRNAs, and the RNA itself determines whether to allow further additions.
Scientists have visualized protein degradation in intact nerve cells for the first time, shedding light on how proteasomes remove defective proteins. The study reveals that only a minority of proteasomes are actively degrading proteins in quiescent cells.
Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine discovered that enzymes believed to promote cancer actually suppress tumors. Correcting a loss-of-function PKC mutation in colon cancer cells reduced tumor growth in mouse models, demonstrating normal PKC activity inhibits cancer.
A new study identifies pyruvate carboxylase as a key metabolic enzyme that drives proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer. Elevated PC expression was found in cancerous tissues and decreased growth rates when PC was reduced or inhibited.
Research at RIKEN-Max Planck Joint Research Center reveals ENGase enzyme responsible for protein degradation in absence of NGLY1. Studies show that inhibition of ENGase activity may serve as therapeutic target for patients with NGLY1 mutation.
Researchers at RIKEN found that preventing abnormal sugar attachment to BACE1 enzyme reduces Alzheimer's plaques and improves cognitive performance in mice. This study reveals a novel mechanism for Alzheimer's disease development and potentially offers a new therapeutic target.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered coenzyme A's crucial role in cell metabolism and its regulation of nitric oxide. The study identified hundreds of proteins influenced by coenzyme A-driven protein nitrosylation, with potential implications for understanding disease mechanisms.
A novel analytical method enables characterization of epigenetic tags, revealing that the system adapts to the loss of single epigenetic writer and eraser enzymes. The study also finds that biological systems can compensate for the loss of individual functional components by attaching novel acetylation tags at nearby sites.
Researchers at TSRI identify an enzyme that produces inflammatory lipid molecules in the brain, which causes a rare neurodegenerative disorder. The team finds a potential treatment approach by targeting this enzyme and discovers a weight-loss drug that can block its activity.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute reveal new insights into nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (TH), a metabolic enzyme found in most forms of life, shedding light on its structure and function. The discovery sheds light on TH's dynamic structure and how it alternates functions to maintain cell health.
A team of researchers at Georgia State University has made groundbreaking discoveries in the tryptophan kynurenine pathway, a metabolic pathway linked to psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. The study reveals an unexpected enzymatic activity that could lead to new drug design for these diseases.
Enzymes linked to diabetes and obesity play key roles in arthritis and leukemia, potentially opening new avenues for treating these diseases. Targeting ether lipids may reduce neutrophil levels, allowing the immune system to return to normal.
Scientists have found that the MMP12 enzyme travels to the center of cells, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery may lead to the development of treatments to turn off this enzyme and others like it when they cause damage.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a safety lock mechanism in the enzyme RAG that prevents helter-skelter clipping of DNA. This discovery provides new insights into how the immune system regulates gene expression and could lead to better understanding of immunodeficiency and cancer.
Scientists create a molecular 'GPS' to precisely locate metal ions in enzymes, which play key roles in metabolism and synthesis. This innovation uses spin-labeled amino acids to track metal ion positions, enabling better understanding of biochemical reactions.
Researchers at Centenary Institute used a super-resolution microscope to study the role of DPP9 in cell movement. They found that inhibiting this enzyme can slow down living cancer cells and prevent tumors from growing or spreading.
Researchers discovered that enzymes dissipate heat by rapidly accelerating immediately after a reaction, generating a pressure wave called a chemoacoustic wave. This finding explains how proteins cope with the immense heat generated during enzyme reactions without breaking apart.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have identified a genetic variation in the ERAP1 enzyme that increases an individual's susceptibility to Ankylosing Spondylitis. Genetic testing for this variation may enable earlier diagnosis and improved management of the condition.
A team of researchers has identified an enzyme that inhibits the breakdown of progesterone, a hormone linked to PMS. This discovery could lead to targeted therapy with minimal side effects.
Researchers at Mainz University have discovered that a psoriasis medication may be effective in treating Alzheimer's disease by stimulating the activity of the enzyme ADAM10, which could lead to reduced accumulation of Alzheimer's plaques. The medication was well-tolerated and showed promise in enhancing learning and memory capacity.
Researchers discover penicillin works by setting in motion a toxic malfunctioning of the cell's wall-building machinery, which depletes cells of resources. This finding could lead to new ways to thwart drug resistance.
Researchers found that humans are susceptible to typhoid fever due to the absence of enzyme CMAH, which reconfigures sugar molecules on cell surfaces. This discovery has implications for developing new therapies for typhoid fever.
A new approach uses a comb-shaped polymer to protect enzymes from the immune system, reducing allergic reactions and maintaining efficacy. The method has potential applications in treating allergies and protecting rapidly degraded therapeutic molecules.
A new study identifies TET1 as a master regulator in cancer progression by silencing tumor suppressor genes. Adding TET1 back to cancer cells reactivates these genes, reducing abnormal proliferation.
Researchers revised classical enzymatic theory by incorporating long-lasting protein-water coupled motions into models of functional catalysis. The study revealed a new biological phenomenon where water motions adapt to substrate binding, critical for effective binding.
Researchers have developed a potent and systematic AC inhibitor, tilting the balance between pro-aging/death and pro-life chemical signals in favor of death. The compound may be used as 'chemosensitizers' to enhance anti-tumoral drug efficacy.
MU researchers have catalogued the effects of abnormal enzymes responsible for one type of glycogen storage disease in humans. Their study, published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, provides promising early-stage results that could aid in patient prognosis and therapeutic development.
Researchers from RIKEN found that a subtle change in the Lon enzyme allows bacteria to quickly adapt between low-oxygen gut environments and high-oxygen outside conditions. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic targets for enteric diseases.
Researchers have discovered a novel enzyme production strategy in shipworms that breaks down wood, shedding light on the potential for these bivalves to produce biofuels. The study's findings could provide valuable insights and tools for biomass-based industries.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel digestive strategy in shipworms, which could be a game-changer for the industrial production of clean biofuels. The study found that shipworms use enzymes made by symbiotic bacteria stored in their gills to break down wood for nutrition.
Researchers found that DNA Methyltransferase 3b enzyme prevents Pax3 gene from turning on, leading to neural tube defects. Dr. Loeken's discovery sheds light on a biochemical pathway and may lead to better stem cell therapy.
Researchers found that knocking out a single enzyme is responsible for changing blue penstemon flowers to red. The study reveals a predictable genetic change behind the evolution from blue to red, with reverse changes unlikely.
A landmark study provides a detailed working image of the PRC1 enzyme in action on a chromosome unit, revealing previously unknown information about its interaction with nucleosomes. The research offers new paradigms for understanding how chromatin enzymes function and has implications for understanding cancer-related diseases.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that digoxin, a medication used to treat heart failure, may have a strong effect on treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by blocking an enzyme that destroys nerve cells. The research suggests that reducing the activity of this enzyme or limiting its production can prevent th...