Articles tagged with Enzymes
Scientists have successfully used a novel approach called bioretrosynthesis to produce the HIV drug didanosine. This method leverages natural selection to create specialized enzymes that can manufacture complex molecules from simple sugars, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional chemistry.
Researchers developed an algorithm to identify functional modules and relationships between metabolites, reactions, and enzymes in biochemical pathways. The tool enables life scientists to target their research efforts on critical groups most likely to improve our ability to understand and control important biological processes.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and MIT have identified a key enzyme necessary for a disease-causing bacterium to survive, which may lead to the development of new antibiotics. The study found that eliminating this enzyme or its manganese-attachment protein prevents the bacterium from causing heart valve disease.
A new study suggests that the enzyme Cbl-b could be a target for drugs used to treat allergic asthma and other autoimmune disorders. Mice lacking Cbl-b exhibited severe allergic asthma symptoms, highlighting its vital role in controlling immune response.
A new study by Rutgers researchers reveals that eliminating the eEF2K enzyme could strengthen healthy cells, making them resilient to cancer treatment. This breakthrough may lead to more powerful treatments with fewer debilitating side effects, paving the way for improved cancer therapies.
Researchers have developed a method of insect control using plants that emit sex pheromones mimicking those naturally produced by moths. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that plants can be engineered to produce these pheromones, attracting male moths and effectively trapping them.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a rare genetic disease caused by the misplacement of a normal protein, phosphotransferase. The protein ends up in the lysosomes, causing a shortage of enzymes and leading to skeletal and heart abnormalities.
Researchers discovered how gut bacteria produce an enzyme that modifies signaling in cells lining the gut and breaks down phytate, a crucial nutrient. The enzyme is packaged in outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) which allow for cross-kingdom communication with human cells, influencing calcium signaling and potentially improving health.
A new study has strengthened the link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer development. Researchers found that a particular enzyme, CYP2E1, plays a role in controlling the growth of breast cancer cells.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed tiny, degradable 'medicine factories' inside the body that can produce specific medicines in response to specific enzymes. The technology, funded by a €2 million ERC grant, has the potential to revolutionize pain relief and cancer treatment.
Cedars-Sinai researchers found that genetically targeting immune cells to overproduce ACE breaks down beta-amyloid plaque, preventing cognitive decline in laboratory mice. The study identifies a novel role for ACE in the clearance of beta-amyloid in brain blood vessels.
A Virginia Tech research team has developed a battery that runs on sugar, boasting an unmatched energy density and potentially replacing conventional batteries. The new battery could power cell phones, tablets, and other electronic gadgets in as little as three years.
Researchers at the University of York have discovered how one group of gut bacteria, Bacteroidetes, digest complex sugars found in fruits and vegetables. This understanding sheds light on nutritional issues like prebiotics and probiotics.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a key player in triggering brain inflammation and nerve cell death in severe forms of Gaucher disease. This discovery may lead to new treatments, including those that can cross the blood-brain barrier to target neurological symptoms.
Researchers at McGill University have identified the cIAP2 enzyme as a key player in resisting flu infections by protecting lung tissue from damage. By enhancing body resistance to the virus, this discovery opens up new possibilities for controlling and treating influenza.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have identified a gene associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a life-threatening birth defect. The discovery reveals the genetic root of the physical defect and offers potential routes for intervention.
The study reveals that E6AP is composed of three distinct protein molecules, controlling nerve cell function and viral replication. This breakthrough provides potential drug targets for autism and cervical cancer treatment.
Researchers have determined the molecular structure of a Tet family member from Naegleria gruberi, providing insights into its role in regulating gene expression and potential therapeutic targets for cancer. The study sheds light on how Tet enzymes interact with DNA, enabling scientists to design drugs that manipulate them.
The new strategy enables rapid selection of chemical compounds with a desired effect on cells and highlights the underlying biological mechanisms. Researchers identified a compound, WWL113, that shows promise for treating obesity-linked diabetes and also inhibits a previously untargeted enzyme, Ces3.
Researchers identified three proteins that target a key enzyme in the phenol synthesis reaction, reducing its levels and lower plant phenols. This finding could improve biofuel production and lead to increased synthesis of antioxidant-rich compounds.
Research finds that suppressing fidgetin enzyme regrows injured nerve cells and their connections, potentially offering a new therapeutic approach for tissue regeneration and repair. The study's findings have implications for treating spinal cord injury, myocardial infarction, and chronic cutaneous wounds.
Scientists have identified a biological pathway linking Gaucher disease and Parkinson's disease. The connection is attributed to the accumulation of defective proteins, leading to an overload of cellular machines that dispose of defective proteins. This cascade triggers cell death in dopamine-producing cells, resulting in PD symptoms.
Researchers discovered a genetic variation that predisposes mice to severe, inflammatory arthritis. The study implicates a lysosomal enzyme as a contributor to the development of the disease.
Researchers found elevated BACE1 activity in mild cognitive impairment patients, suggesting it may be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease. Increased BACE1 enzymatic activity correlated with plaque numbers and cognition status.
Rhomboid proteases, involved in Parkinson's disease and parasite infections, are extremely slow and show no attraction to proteins, making it difficult to design drugs. These enzymes 'stop and frisk' all unstable proteins indiscriminately, allowing stable proteins to escape without injury.
Researchers have discovered a potent natural antibiotic, pyridomycin, that targets two key enzymes in tuberculosis bacteria. The molecule's unique three-dimensional structure allows it to simultaneously inhibit the production of the bacterium's lipid membrane, drastically reducing the risk of resistance.
Researchers are working on an injectable compound that can block enzymes that further break down the tendon, reducing injury severity or promoting healing. The therapy aims to treat tendon injuries at an early stage, potentially benefiting athletes and industrial workers.
Northwestern University researchers have developed a new technique to profile enzyme activities in cell lysate, providing a fast, low-cost, and label-free method for studying post-transcriptional processes. By using peptide arrays and SAMDI mass spectrometry, the researchers were able to identify patterns of enzyme activities and shed ...
Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories are working on a $34 million project to develop biocatalyst technologies that can convert natural gas into liquid fuel for transportation. They aim to engineer pathways from microbes that metabolize methane to produce butanol, a promising biofuel option.
Medical researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a potential drug target for a rare genetic disease, paving the way for an alternative treatment. The discovery links specific defects in the enzyme to specific symptoms and could lead to the development of drugs to treat less severe forms of the disease.
A rainforest microbe, Enterobacter lignolyticus SCF1, breaks down lignin by breathing it, potentially improving biofuel production. The microbe's enzymes degrade 56% of lignin in 48 hours, opening up new possibilities for efficient and sustainable biofuels.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a new test to assess the effectiveness of enzyme mixtures, which could reduce the time and cost of producing biofuels. The test uses activity-based protein profiling to track the activity of dozens of enzymes simultaneously.
Researchers at University of Notre Dame identified enzymes detrimental and beneficial to wound repair in diabetic individuals. Selective MMP-9 inhibitors showed 92% wound healing rate after 14 days, compared to 74% in untreated mice.
LIMP-2 possesses a novel protein fold and nanoscale transport tunnel, enabling it to transport enzymes and lipids. This discovery could lead to the development of therapies for diseases like Gaucher's, where enzyme deficiency causes lipid accumulation.
Researchers at UC Davis and Stanford University have identified a key step in assembling hydrogen-generating catalysts, which are based on precisely organized clusters of iron and sulfur atoms. This study reveals how bacteria naturally build these catalysts and could pave the way for more efficient production of clean energy.
A new, inexpensive paper-based device has been developed to detect disease markers in patients' blood, offering a potential solution for medical testing in remote regions. The device uses simple materials and no electronics, allowing it to be easily operated by users with limited resources.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have identified two opposing regulatory circuits that determine the fate of protein import receptor Pex18. The receptor's control is calibrated precisely by distinct ubiquitination cascades, which regulate its recycling or degradation.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified a rare genetic mutation that causes severe respiratory infections and lung damage. The researchers believe that existing leukemia drugs may also be effective in treating this debilitating disease, which they are calling Activated PI3K-δ Syndrome.
Researchers have found that spraying broccoli with a plant hormone called methyl jasmonate boosts the levels of an enzyme that helps rid the body of carcinogens. Sulforaphane, a byproduct of glucosinolate breakdown, is a major contributor to this effect.
Researchers have been studying the impact of an isoform on human resistance to fatigue, which occurs when muscles can't continue contracting. The study found that this isoform provides a 'turbocharger effect,' speeding up muscle function during exercise.
Scientists at USC created a mathematical model to predict the biological process creating antibody diversity. The research, a collaboration between Myron Goodman and Chi Mak, explains how an enzyme initiates hypermutations in immunoglobulin genes, generating robust immune systems.
Researchers have solved the mystery of how the sodium-potassium pump distinguishes between sodium and potassium ions at the molecular level. The new protein structure shows how smaller sodium ions are bound and transported out of the cell, while larger potassium ions are blocked.
Researchers have found that metabolic enzymes in the opium poppy play a key role in producing morphine and codeine, leading to potential breakthroughs in pharmaceutical production. The discovery may also enable the production of these compounds in other plants or microorganisms.
Researchers have created a man-made catalyst that can alter the chemical profiles of numerous types of small molecules, greatly speeding up the process of drug discovery. The catalyst, called iron CF3-PDP, can accomplish one of these alterations in about half an hour.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered two genetic variants affecting enzyme activity, which can help predict individual drug metabolism and guide more accurate dosing. The findings suggest that one-third of people have slower or intermediate metabolism, and could improve treatment outcomes and cost of therapy.
Nuclear pores serve as transcription factories for genes, regulating their production speed. The discovery reveals a new role for these microscopic structures in the cell nucleus.
Researchers identify two rare gene mutations that increase generation and accumulation of toxic amyloid beta protein, impairing neural cell growth. The findings suggest the enzyme ADAM10 as a promising therapeutic target for treatment and prevention.
A multidisciplinary team has identified the function of an enzyme and its biochemical pathway in a marine bacterium, using computational methods combined with laboratory techniques. This breakthrough sheds light on protein-coding genes and offers insights into the role of orthologous enzymes in similar pathways.
Scientists at Brown University have discovered a novel compound that can kill the TB bacterium by inhibiting ClpP, a cellular enzyme not targeted by any antibacterial drugs. The findings could lead to new treatments for tuberculosis and other infections resistant to traditional antibiotics.
A study presents findings that obesity and cigarette smoke exposure can have a triple health threat, impacting key mechanisms of metabolism in the lung and liver. The combination may alter the body's ability to metabolize prescription drugs, increasing the risk of developing lung cancer.
Professor Yasuhisa Asano received the 2013 Enzyme Engineering Award for his contributions to microbial degradation and transformation of nitrile compounds. He has engineered enzymes for large-scale production of amino acids, nucleic acids, and other biotechnological tools.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute developed a new gene regulation system called CRISPR-on, which can activate multiple genes concurrently and precisely control their expression levels. The system has been shown to be effective in both mouse and human cells as well as in mouse embryos.
Researchers find that protein phosphorylation slows down Parkinson's disease, contradicting the assumption that it triggers toxic aggregates. The study suggests a new approach for therapeutic development.
Scientists have identified a key enzyme that enables simple neurons in worms to transform into more elaborate shapes under stress, which may hold clues for developing drugs to treat severe anxiety disorders. The study also found that these transformed worms become highly resistant to stress and can survive extreme conditions.
JBEI researchers have developed a one-pot process that combines pretreatment and saccharification into a single vat, eliminating the need for washing biomass and significantly simplifying downstream sugar recovery. The system achieved high glucose and xylose yields with minimal waste generation.
A team of researchers has discovered that healthy brain cells segregate amyloid precursor protein (APP) and beta-secretase enzyme (BACE-1) into distinct compartments, preventing their combination and triggering Alzheimer's disease. This separation mechanism may hold the key to understanding how AD develops in some individuals.
Researchers at University of Illinois find way to boost health benefits of frozen broccoli by sprinkling it with daikon radish, a process that preserves sulforaphane's cancer-fighting properties even when cooked. The discovery aims to make frozen broccoli as nutritious as fresh.
Scientists have identified a unique enzyme that is abundant in cancer cells but rare in normal adult tissues. By silencing this enzyme, researchers were able to stop the growth of cancer in laboratory mice without causing harm.
Researchers found that maintaining a safe distance between transcription enzymes is crucial for efficient production of microRNAs. By launching enzymes at lower rates, they can avoid 'traffic jams' and create more molecules.
Researchers at National Jewish Health have identified Cyp11a1 as a potential target for treatment of food allergies. Blocking the enzyme's activity in sensitized mice prevented diarrhea and inflammation, reducing levels of proteins associated with allergies.