Articles tagged with Enzymes
Researchers found that blocking arginase-2 activity prevents kidney failure in diabetic mice, offering a new therapeutic approach for diabetic nephropathy. The study also suggests that this inhibition may protect against albuminuria and cardiovascular problems.
Researchers have solved the long-standing mystery of Garrod's fourth inborn error of metabolism by identifying two different DCXR mutations linked to pentosuria in Ashkenazi Jews. This discovery sheds light on historical and geographical patterns of human genetic mutations, providing a new understanding of the condition.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a more efficient method for converting corn stover into cellulosic ethanol by separating its three distinct parts: the rind, pith, and leaves. This new approach enables better utilization of enzymes to break down cellulose, resulting in increased ethanol production with reduced costs.
Researchers have identified two new drugs that may be effective in treating bipolar disorder, a condition characterized by mood swings between mania and depression. The drugs target the NKA enzyme and ERK protein, which are abnormally active in people with bipolar disorder.
Differences in two metabolic enzymes may explain susceptibility to liver damage. Low levels of GAPDH and NDPK are associated with increased oxidative stress and disease severity.
A new study published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that key phytochemicals in broccoli are poorly absorbed if taken as a supplement. Cooking broccoli can also reduce its health value. The study suggests that eating whole foods, especially lightly cooked, is necessary to retain adequate levels of essential compounds.
David A. Estell, a Genencor researcher, received the Enzyme Engineering Award for his work on protein engineering and developing efficient proprietary technology for producing advanced biofuels. He has also initiated new technology development and holds over 70 issued U.S. patents.
Researchers found that the polyphosphate storage site represents the first known universal organelle, present in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. This discovery challenges traditional definitions of bacterial organisms, suggesting LUCA was more complex than previously thought.
Genencor calls for industry, science, and policy collaboration to develop a biobased economy driving renewable energy, fuels, and chemicals production. Key components include cultivating feedstock, developing infrastructure, and building sustainable biorefineries.
Researchers identify enzymes from fungi like Thielavia terrestris and Muceliophthora thermophila, which thrive at high temperatures, to accelerate biomass breakdown and improve biofuel production. The discoveries have great promise for significant improvements over existing systems.
Researchers have identified a new class of DNA repair enzymes that lack uracil repair capabilities, instead repairing adenine damage. This discovery provides insights into the diversity of DNA repair functions and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in scientific discovery.
Scientists at Virginia Tech and Penn have identified two enzymes, peptidases, as potential targets for new anti-malarial drugs. The researchers developed chemical genetic tools to specifically inhibit these enzymes, blocking hemoglobin degradation and starving the malaria parasite to death.
Three Johns Hopkins researchers, including Andrew Feinberg, Gyanu Lamichhane, and Thomas Hartung, have received NIH Director's Awards for their groundbreaking work in epigenetics, tuberculosis, and toxicological testing. Their research aims to revolutionize cancer treatment, develop new antibiotics, and improve human health.
Researchers challenged online gamers to predict the structure of a protein-cutting enzyme from an AIDS-like virus using the game Foldit. The players successfully generated accurate models, which were refined and determined to be correct within days.
A team of gamers solved the molecular structure of a retrovirus enzyme using online game Foldit, achieving results in just three weeks. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-AIDS drugs by targeting specific features on the molecule.
Researchers have deciphered the structure of an essential enzyme in photosynthetic organisms, a target for algaecide development. This discovery could lead to the creation of compounds that block the enzyme's function, inhibiting algae growth without harming other plant life.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that pairing broccoli with spicy foods containing myrosinase significantly enhances its individual cancer-fighting power. This is achieved by ensuring absorption takes place in the upper digestive system, where sulforaphane can be quickly and effectively released.
Researchers found that mice without the HDAC3 enzyme experience rapid thickening of the heart muscle and heart failure on a high-fat diet. This molecular link has implications for people on Western diets and combating heart disease.
Researchers discovered that a commercial enzyme can extract water from an ethanol byproduct, reducing electricity, natural gas, and energy consumption. This could significantly decrease the amount of greenhouse gases emitted during ethanol production.
Researchers at UCSF found that mice lacking a specific enzyme are less responsive to nicotine and alcohol, suggesting a promising target for a dual treatment approach. The discovery could lead to medications that reduce reward craving in people struggling with addiction.
Scientists have identified a unique protein in an insect gut microbe that stores iron, regulating the concentration of molecules important for plant-insect interactions. The discovery sheds light on the survival strategies of the microbe and its relationship with the host insect.
Researchers find that a specific white blood cell type, neutrophils, promote tumor growth and spread by inducing new blood vessel formation. This discovery opens the door to developing novel drugs targeting early-stage cancers.
Biologists at USC discovered major declines in the availability of an enzyme, known as the Lon protease, as human cells grow older. The finding may help explain why humans lose energy with age and could point medicine toward new diets or pharmaceuticals to slow the aging process.
Scientists have identified bacteria in giant panda feces with potent effects on breaking down plant material, which could be used to produce biofuels. These bacteria can convert up to 95% of plant biomass into simple sugars, eliminating the need for high heat and pressure processes.
A study published in Nature journal has identified the structure of the enzyme that decomposes nitrous oxide, a harmful climate gas with a 300 times stronger impact than carbon dioxide. The discovery provides insight into the decomposition mechanism and its dependence on environmental conditions, which may help prevent N2O emissions.
The molecular structural basis for severe head deformities and ambiguous sex organs in babies born with Antley-Bixler syndrome has been revealed, suggesting that riboflavin therapy may reverse enzyme defects. The study also found that the enzyme NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase plays a crucial role in human syndromes.
A breakthrough discovery identifies a key gene, SIRT3, that exacerbates the development of metabolic syndrome, a condition linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. The study suggests that increasing SIRT3 activity could help alleviate symptoms and develop new treatments for this growing health concern.
A modified form of the enzyme Cdk5 is elevated in Alzheimer's disease patients, triggering damage to nerve cell connections. This discovery suggests that SNO-Cdk5 could be targeted for the development of new Alzheimer's disease therapies.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have successfully removed a molecular switch in cyanobacteria that prevents premature breakdown of energy reserves. This allows for the use of excess energy for biotechnological purposes, such as hydrogen production.
Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum discovered a new enzyme, Ubp15p, that collaborates with motor proteins to convert the protein transport machinery back into its initial condition. The enzyme detaches a specific signal sequence from a protein, allowing for recycling and reuse.
Scientists at Ohio State University reveal the entire process of how an enzyme repairs sun-damaged DNA, contradicting previous notions. The discovery could lead to synthetic photolyase-based drugs or lotions that can heal sunburn in humans.
A team of biochemists at the University of Arizona discovered that disrupting a molecular process used by mosquitoes to direct proteins to their proper destinations causes more than 90 percent of affected mosquitoes to die within 48 hours of blood feeding. This approach could be used as an additional strategy in the worldwide effort to...
A Purdue University study discovered a combination of enzymes in termite guts and symbionts that can efficiently break down woody biomass for biofuel production. The researchers found that the enzymes work together synergistically to release sugars from plant material, which is essential for creating biofuels like ethanol.
A new class of solvents, ionic liquids, have been reported to efficiently treat biomass, but hinder enzyme activity. Salt-tolerant microbes like Halorhabdus utahensis were used to identify new enzymes tolerant to ionic liquids. These enzymes offer advantages for industrial utility in breaking down biomass into simple sugars.
A study by USC researchers reveals that the inefficiency of activation-induced deoxycytidine deaminase is key to generating antibody diversity, a crucial component of the immune system. The enzyme's random process creates mutations in immunoglobulin genes, producing a diverse array of antibodies.
Researchers have identified a wood-digesting enzyme in bacteria that could make sustainable biofuels more economically viable. The discovery could unlock currently unattainable sources of biofuels, particularly from fast-growing woody plants and crop byproducts.
Researchers identify MKK4 enzyme as a potential therapeutic target for treating cardiac arrhythmias caused by cardiac hypertrophy, leading to sudden cardiac death in young athletes. The study reveals how the enzyme prevents arrhythmias by modifying connexin protein, ensuring synchronized heart contractions.
Pelvic organ prolapse is caused by a combination of loss of elasticity and breakdown of proteins in the vaginal wall. Researchers found that fibulin-5 blocks enzymes degrading protein support structures, leading to prolapse.
A new bacterium, Pseudomonas putida CBB5, uses newly discovered digestive enzymes to break down caffeine into carbon dioxide and ammonia. The enzyme's ability to remove methyl groups could lead to easier pharmaceutical production, potentially lowering costs.
Researchers have identified an enzyme that drives the production of estradiol, a potent form of estrogen, in human breast cancer tissue. The enzyme creates a positive cycle where estradiol sustains its own production, leading to aggressive and potentially deadly cancer types.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center identified PKC-delta as a major factor for insulin resistance in mice, correlating with obesity-related conditions. The enzyme's activity was found to be increased in both human and mouse models of insulin resistance, suggesting it as a promising target for drug development.
Researchers from Scripps Research Institute identify a class of compounds that powerfully block serine hydrolase activity without affecting other enzymes. The discovery opens up new avenues for studying these enzymes and developing treatments for various diseases.
Researchers at RIKEN have uncovered a key epigenetic mechanism by which Arabidopsis protects cells from harmful DNA elements. The discovery sheds light on the complex interplay between DNA methylation and histone modification, revealing how plants silence transposons and prevent gene disruption.
Researchers found that heart attacks between 6am and noon cause a 20% larger area of dead tissue, leading to more severe consequences for patients. This study suggests that time of day can significantly impact the severity of heart attacks.
Scientists have discovered how nifurtimox kills parasites by converting it into a toxic form through an enzyme in the parasite. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-parasitic medicines with fewer side effects and improved efficacy.
The TET1 enzyme controls gene activity during fetal development, preventing genes from being turned off at critical stages. By modifying methyl groups, TET1 acts as a safeguard to ensure normal cell growth and development.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a superior method for immobilizing enzymes on surfaces, enabling precise control over their orientation. This technique uses high-affinity peptides to covalently bind enzymes, increasing efficiency and stability.
The Experimental Biology 2011 conference showcased cutting-edge research in biochemical battle of the bulge, DNA replication, and bone health. Researchers presented findings on obesity, cancer, and gene therapy, highlighting the importance of understanding cellular processes in disease prevention.
Researchers identify a refined mechanism in the pancreas that uses autophagy to selectively detect and degrade activated enzymes, potentially preventing pancreatitis. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for patients with acute or chronic pancreatic disease.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center have developed a screen to identify proteins that work with histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases to repress gene expression. The method revealed 128 factors involved in regulating gene expression, potentially leading to broader cancer therapies
A study reveals that ancient enzymes known as thioredoxin were chemically stable at temperatures up to 32 degrees Celsius higher than their modern counterparts. The enzymes also showed increased activity at lower pH levels, indicating they operated in a hot, acidic environment during early life.
Researchers have developed a microreactor to improve biodegradable polymer production by using enzymes. The continuous flow process accelerates reaction rates and improves enzyme recovery, showing promise for commercial-scale applications.
Researchers at Ohio State University used mass spectrometry to discover that pyrrolysine is produced through a simple series of chemical reactions involving two lysine molecules. The finding provides a more complete understanding of how amino acids are made and offers new insights into the biosynthesis pathway.
A study at Michigan State University reveals a potential new way for plants to fend off pests through starvation. The research focuses on the enzyme threonine deaminase (TD2), which breaks down a key nutrient in caterpillars' stomachs, starving them.
Researchers have gained insight into how 'tidying up' enzymes, like cytochromes P450, break down drug molecules. The study reveals that the oxygen transfer process can be influenced by three factors: molecular docking, oxygen-accepting ability, and enzyme pocket shape.
A research team at the University of Colorado Cancer Center has identified a new enzyme biomarker, ALDH1B1, present in nearly all colon cancer cells, which could help physicians diagnose colon cancer earlier and treat it more effectively.
Virus researchers discovered that VPS4A plays a key role in the release of HIV particles from infected cells. By labeling the enzyme with Green Fluorescent Protein, they tracked its interaction with nascent virions, revealing complex formation and transient activation before budding.
Whitehead Institute scientists have developed a novel method using the enzyme sortase A to site-specifically modify proteins, increasing their potency, thermal stability, and metabolism. This technique can be applied to improve therapeutically important proteins such as interferon alpha 2 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 3.
Researchers discovered a critical link between respiratory syncytial virus and oxidative stress, which causes lung inflammation and damage in children. The study found that the virus blocks the activity of Nrf2, a protein needed for antioxidant enzymes, leading to increased reactive oxygen species and cell killing.
Researchers at University of Missouri identified a critical gene in corn plants that produces essential hormones, including auxin, which controls cell division and organ growth. The discovery sheds new light on the molecular mechanism behind auxin's production in plants, challenging previous understanding.