Articles tagged with Enzymes
Researchers have discovered a new compound that restores health to mice infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The compound targets an enzyme essential for bacterial survival and has been shown to be highly active against MRSA in mice.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that mice lacking a widely accepted enzyme for long-term memory formation were still able to form memories as well as normal mice. The study refutes the prevailing theory of how synapses strengthen, suggesting PKM-zeta is not the key molecule for long-term memory.
Researchers identify novel enzyme involved in β-1,4-galactan production, which can be used to engineer plants for increased biofuel efficiency. The study reveals a family of proteins named GT92 that play a crucial role in pectin synthesis.
Researchers have created new biocatalysts using the power of protein engineering and evolution, allowing nature's premier oxidation catalyst to drive synthetically useful reactions. This breakthrough enables the production of pharmaceutical drugs and natural products in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner.
Scientists have developed a pill that breaks down gluten peptides, making it possible for people with celiac disease to consume gluten-containing foods. The enzyme, called KumaMax, has been engineered to break down over 95% of the offending peptides in acidic conditions like those in the stomach.
A study has identified two enzymes elevated in prediabetes that could lead to new therapies for vascular complications and help predict who is at risk of developing diabetes. Elevated arginase and indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase trigger a stress response that damages blood vessels and immune cells.
Researchers at Rice University have created a method to trigger biochemical reactions remotely on demand by exposing plasmonic gold nanoparticles to near-infrared light, enabling chemical processes to occur at lower temperatures. This technology has great potential for industrial applications, including energy savings and more sustaina...
Researchers have reconstructed DNA and proteins from prehistoric yeast cells to examine evolutionary forces that shaped modern-day enzymes. They found that copying existing genes led to the emergence of new enzymes with different sugar-b Breaking down different sugars.
Researchers found that compressed propane increased inulinase activity, but the effect depended on enzyme structure and experimental conditions. The study explored the potential of compressed fluids to boost biotransformation reactions in industrial processes.
A team of scientists using the world's most powerful X-ray laser has revealed the three-dimensional structure of a key enzyme that enables the single-celled parasite causing African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. This discovery paves the way for designing new drugs to inhibit the parasite without harming humans.
Researchers have developed a new treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease by knocking out the gene responsible for producing the HDAC6 enzyme. This intervention improved cognitive abilities and behavioral disorders in mice, suggesting that improving cellular traffic may be key to treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists have mapped a weak spot in the parasite that causes African sleeping sickness, providing a promising target for treating the disease. The study uses X-ray lasers to determine the structure of biological molecules, which could lead to the development of a new drug.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified a new way in which the chromatin-remodeling enzyme ALC1 is activated. Through biochemical experiments, they found that ALC1's shape shifts in the presence of its activators PARP1 and NAD+, making it accessible to regulate gene transcription and DNA repair.
Researchers exposed a possible Achilles' heel of the sleeping sickness parasite by solving its molecular structure with an X-ray laser. The discovery reveals a unique plug that can selectively block a vital enzyme, potentially killing the parasite without harming humans.
A team of researchers has discovered a bacterium that can efficiently degrade hemicellulose, a key component in biofuels. By unlocking this microbe's enzymes, scientists may be able to engineer microbes that can convert more plant material into fuel.
The NREL team developed a breakthrough method using microscopic imaging to study the relationships between biomass cell wall structure and enzyme digestibility. They found that understanding the localization of enzymes and their effects on the cell wall is crucial for optimizing sugar yields and reducing costs in biofuel production.
A new study published in Circulation reveals that the arginase enzyme may play a key role in the development of cardiovascular disease in patients with type II diabetes. Inhibiting this enzyme improves blood vessel function in diabetics with angina, but has no effect on healthy individuals or those without angina.
An international team of biologists led by IU has identified the enzyme and molecular mechanism controlling chromatic acclimation in Synechococcus, a cyanobacteria that maximizes light harvesting for photosynthesis. This discovery has implications for healthcare and climate change research.
Researchers have found that a specific enzyme, CYP2J2, is overexpressed in women with preeclampsia, contributing to the development of high blood pressure. Inhibiting this enzyme reduced disease symptoms in animal experiments, suggesting a potential new treatment for preeclampsia.
Biologists at Bielefeld University have confirmed that certain algae species can draw energy from other plants by digesting cellulose, a previously thought exclusive trait of fungi and bacteria. This groundbreaking discovery has significant implications for bioenergy production.
Researchers at VIB and Oxyrane have created a new technology that produces enzymes for metabolic disorders like Pompe disease more efficiently than current treatments. The novel method uses yeast cells instead of mammalian cells, resulting in 17 times more efficient absorption by patient cells.
Researchers show tRNA synthetases, essential in protein production, can also regulate transcription through a single chemical alteration, with implications for immune response and cancer. This transformation may lead to new treatments for allergies and cancer.
Researchers at Imperial College London have identified a way in which Salmonella bacteria counteract human cell defenses. The study found that Salmonella injects a protein that prevents cells from recycling transport carriers, effectively cutting off the supply line of toxic enzymes.
A study predicts that G6PD deficiency is widespread across malaria-endemic regions, affecting up to 350 million people. The deficiency poses a significant risk for severe complications when treated with primaquine, a key drug for malaria treatment.
Researchers have discovered how a particular type of carbapenemase enzyme reorients bound antibiotics to destroy their antimicrobial activity. This understanding could lead to the design of new drugs that can resist being broken down by such enzymes, helping combat increasing antibiotic resistance.
Researchers found that epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a compound in green tea, can reduce blood glucose levels when combined with starchy foods. This suggests that drinking green tea with meals containing starch may help control typical blood sugar increases.
Researchers at OHSU have discovered that blocking a specific enzyme can promote myelin-forming cell differentiation and remyelination in MS patients, potentially leading to improved nerve cell function. The discovery could be a 'life-changer' for millions with MS and other demyelinating diseases.
The Johns Hopkins team used X-ray crystallography to map the arrangement of atoms in the enzyme that forms unique molecular bonds within the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This structure reveals a distinct pattern of bonds, creating a new target for TB drug development.
Duke researchers add anti-cancer agent bortezomib to treatment regimen for Pompe disease, improving outcomes for three infants with severe form of the disorder. The addition reverses established immune response and reduces antibodies, leading to dramatic clinical improvements.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified two small molecule chaperones that can stabilize the defective alpha-NAGAL enzyme, offering hope for developing the first drug treatment for Schindler/Kanzaki disease. These molecules, DGJ and DGJNAc, can increase the amount of functional enzyme in cells.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a synthetic enzyme that stabilizes drug molecules, making them resistant to breakdown by the human liver. This approach could lead to improved existing drugs and easier production of radioactive tracer versions for medical imaging.
Scientists found that clot-busting enzyme t-PA also removes necrotic cells from the body. The process involves a blood clot-like structure, allowing for efficient removal without damage to the body.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University and Purdue University have discovered a way to 'toggling' intestinal enzymes that process starchy foods, helping to better control blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. The process involves using inhibitors to regulate the enzymes, which could lead to new solutions for diabetics and...
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a molecule necessary for producing nylon using genetic changes found in cancer tumors. This breakthrough enables environmentally friendly adipic acid production from cheap sugars.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have developed a novel technology to produce an enzyme used to treat lysosomal storage disease, reducing costs by up to $300,000 per year. The breakthrough uses greenhouse-grown maize seeds to manipulate messenger RNAs and control sugar processing, paving the way for more affordable treatments.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered a new enzyme called BACE2 that destroys beta-amyloid, a toxic protein fragment associated with Alzheimer's disease. The discovery suggests that impairments in BACE2 may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and could lead to gene therapy as a potential treatment.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology identified a specific enzyme, CYP337B3, responsible for the cotton bollworm's resistance to pyrethroids. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the genetic mechanisms behind insecticide resistance.
A study at McGill University reveals that people with genetically fast nicotine metabolism have a greater brain response to smoking cues than those with slow metabolism. This finding may lead to tailoring smoking cessation programs based on individual genetics.
Researchers at Aarhus University have determined the atomic structures of MASP-2 and its substrate C4, shedding light on the complement system's activation process. The findings may lead to more intelligent ways of developing drugs that attenuate undesired activation of the complement system.
Researchers found that ACE plays a crucial role in the development of red blood cells and the kidneys. Mice lacking ACE had impaired kidney function and reduced fertility. The study suggests new potential therapeutic targets for blood pressure regulation and fertility issues.
University of Alberta medical scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the structure of molybdenum, a critical metal in human health. The research reveals two forms of the molecule with distinct functions, providing new insights into diseases such as metabolic and respiratory disorders.
Researchers found a specific enzyme triggers chemical reactions in female mice, leading to increased visceral fat accumulation. Estrogen suppression of the enzyme's activity may explain why postmenopausal women tend to gain belly fat.
Scientists have found that a type of ocean microbe, Nitrosopumilus maritimus, produces methylphosphonic acid, which is a key component in the production of ocean methane. This discovery helps explain the 'methane paradox' and has implications for climate change modeling.
A new study by bioengineers at the University of California, San Diego, challenges the long-held paradigm that enzymes are highly efficient and specific in catalyzing chemical reactions. The researchers found that at least 37 percent of E. coli's enzymes catalyze multiple metabolic reactions in actively growing cells.
Researchers at Caltech have identified a specific sugar, GlcNAc, that plays a key role in keeping cancerous tumors fed. By altering the addition of carbohydrates to proteins, tumor cells can survive under harsh conditions and thrive. This finding offers new potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Researchers identified how certain RNA viruses hijack a key DNA repair activity of human cells to multiply, providing a new target for universal treatments. This discovery could lead to the development of broad-spectrum treatments for picornaviruses, including the common cold, without resistance issues.
Researchers have discovered compounds in berry wines that inhibit enzymes responsible for carbohydrate absorption, which could lead to a tasty and effective treatment for diabetes. The drinks contain high levels of anthocyanins, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and may have positive effects on cognitive function.
Researchers discovered that cathepsins, involved in various diseases, may attack each other, reducing degradation of critical proteins like collagen. This phenomenon could explain the failure of current drugs to inhibit cathepsin activity.
Researchers have developed a universal model for concentrating and extracting enzyme pairings, which could lead to breakthroughs in biotechnology and biomedical applications. The approach involves using baited nanoparticles to capture and recycle enzymes, allowing for efficient isolation of complex systems.
Scientists have developed proteins that can destroy chemical warfare agents up to 15,000 times more effectively than their natural counterparts. The new substances have potential uses in protecting soldiers and others from nerve gas attacks.
Researchers mapped the importance of enzyme shape and function in rhomboid proteases, finding four main regions important for maintaining shape and at least two regions crucial for function. The study's findings could lead to the development of drugs to treat malaria and other parasitic diseases.
Researchers have designed efficient enzymes that can metabolize cocaine, potentially preventing its physiological effects and aiding in treatment of drug dependency. The development of these enzymes is crucial for the creation of anti-cocaine medication.
A low-protein diet during pregnancy may increase the risk of hypertension in children. Research suggests that reduced activity of an enzyme called Hsd17b2 allows more testosterone to reach the fetus, leading to increased susceptibility to adulthood hypertension.
A study by Tufts University researchers found that a single moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury can disrupt proteins regulating BACE1 enzyme associated with Alzheimer's. The team identified complex mechanisms leading to rapid elevation of BACE1 in the brain, which may lead to new drug treatment targeting this mechanism.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that same molecular changes confer resistance in multiple insect species across four orders, suggesting a high level of evolutionary repeatability
Researchers at UC San Diego identified a key enzyme in malaria parasites that could lead to new anti-malarial drugs. The team discovered a selective inhibitor, ML276, which stops parasite growth even in resistant strains.
Researchers identified two enzymes, t-PA and MMP-3, that promote injury severity following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Inhibiting these enzymes may protect the brain from TBI by blocking the activation of MMP-3, which causes damage. The study provides a promising therapeutic target for treating human TBI.
Researchers at UCSB discovered a variation of an enzyme's ability to 'hop' along DNA, modifying genetic material and physical capabilities in bacteria. The study provides insight into epigenetic gene regulation and its potential applications in biomedical fields.
Researchers discovered a way to inhibit Taspase1 by 'gluing together' individual molecules, providing a promising approach for cancer treatment. The enzyme plays a critical role in the development of leukemias and solid malignancies, making it a key target for disease therapy.
Researchers reprogrammed asthma-promoting immune cells in mice, reducing airway damage and inflammation. The discovery identifies a potential target for new treatments of chronic inflammatory diseases.