Research on enzymes and the reactions they drive. Covers enzyme evolution, plastic-degrading enzymes, brain immune cells, and molecular imaging.
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 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.
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 have developed a cost-competitive way to extract fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass using thermophilic microbes. The most active populations in the switchgrass-deconstructing consortium were identified as Gemmatimonadetes and Paenibacillus, which show potential for biofuel production.
A team from the University of Iowa has found that inhibiting the CaMKII enzyme could be an effective approach to treating allergic asthma. The study suggests that airway lining cells play a crucial role in asthma, and blocking the enzyme may help alleviate symptoms.
Researchers from the University of Manchester have developed a new stem cell gene therapy to treat Sanfilippo, a fatal genetic brain disease. The treatment has shown promising results in mice, producing near-normal levels of SGSH enzyme and correcting progressive dementia and hyperactivity.
Researchers found that TAp73 supports proliferation of human and mouse tumor cells by activating G6PD, increasing PPP activity, and directing glucose to pathways for macromolecule synthesis. This reprogramming allows rapid generation of nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins, enabling tumor cells to thrive.
Researchers at UC Davis show that individual protein molecules can restart at any speed achieved by the whole population of enzymes, demonstrating the ergodic theorem. This finding has implications for understanding protein folding, drug interactions, and enzyme engineering.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that APOBEC3B, a human antiviral enzyme, causes DNA mutations that lead to several types of cancer. The enzyme was found to be significantly elevated in six types of cancer and produced a unique mutational signature that matches the actual mutation pattern in these cancers.
Researchers created nanotweezers using DNA to manipulate enzymatic reactions with fine-grained control. The device separates an enzyme and a cofactor on separate arms of the instrument, allowing for external control of inhibition and activation.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab identified two promising candidates for antiviral drugs against human adenovirus. The compounds target the viral enzyme proteinase, essential for virus maturation and replication. These inhibitors may provide effective treatment against all strains of adenovirus.
Researchers at UCSF discovered that vitamin C helps release brakes on genes in mouse stem cells, potentially playing a key role in normal development. This finding may lead to the use of vitamin C in IVF and cancer treatments, as it can stimulate gene activity similar to early embryonic development.
Researchers discovered that gut microbes in rotation-resistant Western corn rootworms facilitate their ability to feed on soybean leaves and tolerate the plant's defenses. The study found significant differences in bacterial species abundance and digestive enzyme activity between resistant and nonresistant beetles.
A study by University of Notre Dame researchers found that cancer cells use antioxidant enzymes to survive detachment from the extracellular matrix. This discovery may lead to targeted therapies for metastatic cancers.
Scientists have discovered a novel cellulose structure that can be broken down with fewer enzymes, increasing sugar yields by as much as five times. This breakthrough could lead to an order of magnitude reduction in enzyme usage and more cost-effective biofuel production.
Researchers discovered novel cellulose-degrading enzymes in marine wood borer gribbles, which can thrive in industrial settings. The enzymes hold promise of efficiently breaking down biomass into sugars for biofuel production.
Researchers identified a key brain enzyme, prohormone convertase 2 (PC2), involved in opioid addiction. PC2 regulates endogenous opioids in the brain, leading to increased mu opioid receptor expression.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology identifies new fungal enzymes that can break down cellulose, a key component of plant biomass. The researchers found that the fungi and bacteria in leaf-cutter ant gardens work together to convert plant biomass into energy-rich compounds.
Researchers at the University of Guelph have discovered a liver enzyme that protects cells from bilirubin damage, paving the way for new treatments for jaundice. The enzyme helps remove bilirubin and prevent liver cell death, offering hope for alternative therapies.
A team of researchers has identified an enzyme called cGAS that detects cytosolic DNA, triggering the innate immune response. This discovery has significant clinical implications for understanding autoimmune diseases and developing new therapies.
Researchers have identified a genetic mutation that allows fungi to continuously produce enzymes for breaking down cellulose and xylan into sugar molecules. This discovery enables the production of cheap biofuel from lignocellulose, reducing competition with food production and making it more economically viable.
Scientists have discovered a new enzyme that can break down wood into simple sugars, which can then be fermented to produce liquid biofuels. The gribble cellulase is extremely resistant to aggressive chemical environments, making it ideal for industrial applications and potentially reducing costs.
Researchers at UEA have made a breakthrough in breast cancer research showing that an enzyme called MMP-8 could be acting as a locator to the immune system, which then becomes activated to attack tumors. The findings suggest that this enzyme may help explain why some patients with breast tumors experience better outcomes.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that a subset of antibodies, PAD3/PAD4 cross-reactive autoantibodies, may serve as a diagnostic marker for the most severe form of rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of these antibodies is associated with aggressive inflammation and connective tissue damage.
A new study offers promising hope for treating progeria by targeting the enzyme ICMT, which causes premature aging. Researchers have successfully tested an ICMT inhibitor on mice, reducing or blocking the development of progeria symptoms and increasing cell growth.
Research identifies a key gene that regulates both protection against bacterial infection and excessive blood clotting, leading to potential new treatments for deep-vein thrombosis. The study found that inhibiting the enzyme could offer hope to patients prone to clots.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism governing critical processes in sexual reproduction during meiosis. The discovery reveals that a step-2 enzyme is modified by SUMO proteins, altering its function and working together with an unaltered enzyme to form SUMO chains.
Researchers developed a method to deliver tumor-killing enzymes using protein packages that protect the enzyme until it reaches the cell's interior. The addition of ubiquitin enhanced the enzyme's persistence and potency without hindering its delivery, also reducing toxicity to non-tumor tissues.
Scientists have discovered a potential treasure trove of enzymes in fungi thriving in horse feces that can break down cellulose in non-food plants. The enzymes, found in a fungus isolated from the digestive tract of horses, have the potential to simplify and reduce the cost of biofuel production.
Researchers identified an enzyme called ACOT7 that helps neurons get rid of excess fats that can be toxic. In a study, mice with non-working ACOT7 gene showed signs of neurodegeneration when fasting, highlighting the enzyme's role in protecting against fat toxicity.
Researchers use PALM microscopy technique to analyze enzyme cocktails and find specific targets for cellulase synergy. This reveals how different combinations of enzymes can generate synergistic activity, increasing saccharification efficiencies and reducing biofuel production costs.