Articles tagged with Enzymes
A new study suggests that white rot fungi may have ended the Carboniferous period by breaking down lignin, a key component of coal. The research also identifies diverse fungal enzymes that could be used to generate biofuels, providing promising fossil fuels alternatives.
Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified the enzyme YfcM as a key player in bacterial pathogenicity modification. The discovery of YfcM, which displays hydroxylase activity and lacks sequence similarity to known proteins, has significant implications for the development of new antibiotics.
A new study at University of Illinois Chicago found that the enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) helps cancer cells survive during initial tumor formation and when they spread to other organs. AMPK promotes cell survival by regulating NADPH, a molecule that reduces harmful reactive-oxygen species.
Scientists have found that a long-used anti-cancer drug, cisplatin, can prevent the clumping of an enzyme linked to ALS. This discovery suggests that cisplatin could be a promising lead compound for developing new treatments for the incurable disease.
A new study from Duke University found that a drug blocking fatty acid amide hydrolase activity reduces fear in mice by increasing endocannabinoids. Human genetic differences related to the same enzyme also influence how well people cope with fear and stress.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg are working on developing substances that can prevent parasites, bacteria, and fungi from producing essential proteins. If successful, this could lead to the development of new drugs for several major diseases, including cancer, parasitic diseases, and bacterial and fungal infections.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that caspase-11 enables immune cells to fuse and degrade bacteria causing Legionnaires' disease. The enzyme's activation helps kill the bacteria by triggering a fusion event between phagosomes and lysosomes, preventing bacterial replication.
A team of researchers has identified a hereditary enzyme deficiency, MPS IIIE, which leads to cognitive decline and learning difficulties in mice. The discovery also sheds light on the role of heparan sulfate degradation in lysosomal storage disorders.
Researchers have developed a new therapy that targets a specific enzyme to stop the spread of brain bleeds and protect brain cells from further damage after a stroke. The compound has potential for use in both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, offering a longer window of treatment for patients.
Researchers have developed chemical compounds that selectively block the attachment of sugar molecules to cells, potentially leading to new treatments for chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The new tools can help scientists understand how glycans influence cell function and behavior.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have discovered a new enzyme in the coca plant that catalyzes a key step in cocaine biosynthesis. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of tropane alkaloids and reveals that the pathways in coca and belladonna evolved independently.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a method to repeatedly encode, store and erase digital data within the DNA of living cells. This breakthrough enables the creation of a binary digit equivalent to a 'bit' in data parlance.
Researchers found a specific enzyme, 5-lipoxygenase, linked to microgravity-induced cell death in astronauts, which may lead to therapeutics for aging-related immune problems. The discovery could also benefit the elderly on Earth by bolstering their immune systems.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Brendan Lee discovered a treatment that bypasses the enzyme deficiency causing argininosuccinic aciduria, allowing patients to receive nitric oxide through medication. This breakthrough has shown promise for treating similar conditions in hypertensive teens and individuals with organ damage.
Researchers have discovered a new and improved version of an enzyme that can detoxify deadly nerve agents, such as sarin. The PON1 variant shows 40-3,400-fold higher efficiency in metabolizing the three most toxic G-type nerve agents.
The liver has been found to have a major impact on body weight regulation through its ability to influence appetite hormones in the brain. Research published in Diabetes reveals that overexpression of FBPase enzyme in the liver leads to reduced fat accumulation and decreased food intake.
Researchers discovered that a key enzyme in the milk of lactating tsetse flies functions similarly to mammalian enzymes, making them a potential model for studying lipid metabolism during mammalian lactation. Reduced levels of this enzyme led to poor health in offspring, suggesting targeting it could aid population reduction efforts.
Concordia physicists have modified a battery-like enzyme to store energy for hours, not seconds. This breakthrough uses natural systems to develop sustainable, carbon-neutral energy converting systems that could lead to new medical applications.
A new method to control a heat-loving microbe has been discovered, enabling its use as a miniature factory for producing biofuels and other materials. By inserting a gene from another organism into the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus, researchers can switch on lactate production at lower temperatures.
Researchers at UC Davis have discovered a crucial enzyme system that regulates chromosome pairing during meiosis, ensuring precise genome sorting and development of healthy sperm and eggs. The discovery could lead to insights into fertility, miscarriages, cancer, and developmental disorders.
Researchers successfully implanted a biofuel cell in a snail, generating sustainable electrical micropower for extended periods without harming the animal. The long-lasting enzymes used induced an electric current by breaking down glucose and oxygen molecules.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that genetically-determined differences in salivary amylase activity influence blood glucose levels after starch consumption. Individuals with high salivary amylase activity tend to have lower blood glucose levels and may be better adapted to eat starch-rich foods.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology have discovered a new serine protease, neutrophil serine protease 4 (NSP4), which forms part of the antibacterial defense arsenal of neutrophil granulocytes. NSP4 could provide a new target for treating diseases involving an overactive immune system.
A study by IRB Barcelona analyzed tRNA genes in over 500 species, revealing that enzyme activity adapted genome structures to specific codon recognition. This discovery explains the separation of Bacteria, eukaryotes, and archaea genomes and has implications for biotechnology and cancer research.
A team from Graz University of Technology has developed a new method for measuring pH in enzyme reactions using luminescent dual-life-time referencing. This method, known as DLR-based pH meter, combines a pH indicator and a reference standard to provide real-time characteristics of enzyme reactions.
Researchers discovered how bacteria modify an enzyme to recognize and disarm a potent antibiotic. The adaptation allows bacteria to protect themselves from toxins while still being susceptible to certain antibiotics, offering new insights into treatment strategies.
Researchers have discovered a dramatic improvement in life span and motor function in mice with infantile Batten disease when treated with gene therapy and bone marrow transplants. The combination therapy created a striking synergy, with mice living nearly 18.5 months, more than double the lifespan of untreated mice.
A Phase 2 pilot study will test the efficacy and safety of InflammaGen Shok-Pak, an enzyme inhibitor that blocks autodigestion, a condition leading to multi-organ failure. The treatment has shown promising results in pre-clinical studies and ex-U.S. patient experiences.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered how a blood clot-busting enzyme is switched on, revealing a 'peek-a-boo' mechanism that could lead to new treatments for clotting and bleeding disorders. The findings also provide insights into the molecular details of current plasminogen-activating drugs.
Scientists have discovered that inhibiting the HDAC2 enzyme can reverse Alzheimer's symptoms in mice by removing gene 'blockades' that shut off memory formation. This finding suggests that targeted drugs could be effective in treating the disease, which affects millions worldwide.
Scientists at Simon Fraser University have discovered a new approach to treating Alzheimer's disease by targeting a specific enzyme. By maintaining the correct balance of sugars in brain proteins, they hope to slow or prevent the development of the fatal condition.
Sanford-Burnham researchers discovered the first 3D structure of the botulinum neurotoxin and its protein bodyguard. This reveals a weak spot that can be targeted to develop new therapeutics, including potential treatments for botulism and bioterrorism agents.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered an energy sensor mechanism that helps regulate cell energy storage. The study found that a protein called AMPK, which acts like an energy thermostat, is affected by acetyl groups added to it.
A team at Karolinska Institutet has generated a map of the effects of small molecules on PARP1 and other proteins, which may explain putative side effects and contribute to new cancer therapies. The study's results provide unique insights into specificity and cross-reactivity of PARP inhibitors.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute have discovered a new mechanism controlling cell polarity in yeast. An enzyme called flippase flips phospholipids to create a polarized membrane, with all molecules involved found in both yeast and mammalian cells. This discovery opens up avenues for studying human diseases.
Researchers discover genes passed from plant to plant between species with distant kinship, contributing to the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. This 'lateral gene transfer' allows plants to adapt to new environments by taking genes from others.
Pablo Sobrado's research focuses on developing enzyme inhibitors to combat tropical diseases. He aims to identify specific inhibitors against enzymes crucial for pathogenesis in several human diseases.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that enzymes are only imported into peroxisomes when their transport proteins are recycled. This discovery supports the export-driven-import model and sheds light on the complex process of protein import.
Scientists at the University of Alberta have shed light on the structure and function of PNKP, a key DNA repair enzyme. By understanding how this enzyme repairs damaged DNA, researchers hope to develop new therapies that target cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact.
Research reveals LSD1's key function in silencing embryonic stem cell genes during differentiation, allowing cells to adopt new operating systems. The findings hold broader implications for understanding defective operating systems in diseases like cancer.
A research team led by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Linke has discovered that protein networks play a crucial role in stabilizing muscle fibers using the same mechanism as DNA methylation. The study found that disrupting this network leads to significant changes in muscle structure and function.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered a link between inositol phosphate signalling and histone deacetylase enzymes, which play a key role in regulating gene expression. This finding has significant implications for the therapeutic intervention of certain types of cancer.
A team of scientists has identified a molecular 'culprit' in the emergence of oxygen on Earth, dating back to 2.9 billion years ago. Manganese catalase, an enzyme that generates oxygen as a byproduct, is believed to be responsible for the rise of planetary oxygen.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is crucial for constructing the acrosome, a critical structure in fertilization. Without DHA, sperm cells fail to form properly and fertility is compromised.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have identified the critical sugar chain produced by the LARGE enzyme, which plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle cell viability. The study's findings could lead to rapid testing of potential muscular dystrophy therapies and treatments for Lassa fever.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed an implantable biofuel cell that converts a cockroach's internal chemicals into electricity. The device can provide enough power to control the bug or transmit sensor data, and has shown promise for long-term use without harming the insect.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a low-dose combination therapy using cancer medicines to eliminate or prevent the immune response in children with Pompe disease. This treatment has saved the lives of four patients who were previously predicted to fail enzyme replacement therapy.
Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of endomannosidase, an enzyme used by devastating human viruses like HIV and Hepatitis C to replicate. This breakthrough opens the door to developing inhibitors that block both pathways used by these viruses.
Researchers at UMass Amherst discover a key interaction for treating Fabry disease using small molecule chaperones like galactose and DGJ. These molecules help stabilize the faulty alpha-galactosidase enzyme, reducing symptoms and toxicity.
Treatment with Sirt1 overexpression may slow brain cell loss in Huntington's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. Increased Sirt1 expression protected against neurodegeneration and huntingtin aggregation in mouse models.
A team of scientists led by Donald Bryant has corrected a decades-old assumption about how cyanobacteria make energy and synthesize cell materials. They discovered that these bacteria can complete the TCA cycle in a slightly different way, allowing them to produce energy.
The study found an enzyme called 3D which forms fibrous structures during viral replication. A molecule to prevent this formation has been identified, providing a new avenue for exploration and potentially leading to a treatment for foot-and-mouth disease.
Researchers at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute have discovered a crucial component of Tankyrase, a protein linked to the bone development disorder cherubism. The study reveals how Tankyrase identifies its substrates, opening new avenues for inhibiting its function in cancer therapy.
Researchers at University of Warwick have found that the CPT1 enzyme has a switch controlling its activity, which can lead to better understanding of individual metabolic rates. This discovery may lead to development of drugs targeting specific patients with conditions like diabetic keto acidosis.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a novel antimalarial agent, BCX4945, which kills the deadliest malaria parasite by starving it of vital building blocks. The study shows promising results in non-human primates, paving the way for more potent therapies against this deadly disease.
Phosphonic acids are persistent pollutants found in common medicinal products, detergents, and herbicides. Bacteria have been shown to break down these molecules with surprising ease, thanks to the identification of specialized proteins that perform key bond-breaking steps.
Scientists have developed new approaches to boost the effectiveness of enzymes involved in breaking down toxic pollutants such as PCBs. By modifying amino acids and updating mechanisms, researchers can create more flexible mutant enzymes that can metabolize a wider range of substrates.
Researchers have created a self-assembling platform for biosensors using synthetic DNA and carbon nanotubes. The technology allows for the creation of highly efficient sensors for detecting various compounds, including glucose, with potential applications in diabetes management and personalized medicine.
A $7.5 million NIH grant will fund a Center of Excellence at Ohio State University to develop novel enzyme-based antidotes for nerve agents and pesticides. The team aims to create efficient enzymes that can neutralize multiple toxic agents, paving the way for new treatments and preventive measures.
Researchers have made a fundamental discovery about enzymes, revealing that flexibility is an essential feature of enzyme function. This finding has significant implications for improving the efficiency of enzymatic processes and developing new treatments for diseases such as AIDS.