Research on enzymes and the reactions they drive. Covers enzyme evolution, plastic-degrading enzymes, brain immune cells, and molecular imaging.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 the NIH have discovered that increasing activity of brain enzyme PKMzeta enhances long-term memories in rats, while decreasing it erases them. This finding has significant implications for treating debilitating emotional memories and enhancing faltering memories in disorders of aging.
Caspase 8, long viewed as an executioner of cellular suicide, has a surprising dual function: initiating apoptosis and restraining an independent programmed death pathway. The enzyme's absence can be compensated by RIP3, allowing mice to develop normally and potentially offering new therapeutic avenues for diseases.
Researchers have engineered E. coli bacteria to produce n-butanol, a chemical that could be used as a substitute for diesel oil and gasoline. The new genetically altered E. coli produced nearly five grams of n-butanol per liter, about 10 times better than current industrial microbe systems.
Sanfilippo disease is a rare metabolic disorder caused by the accumulation of complex carbohydrates in cells, leading to severe physical and neurological problems. Researchers at UC San Diego have identified a novel secondary metabolite, dermatan sulfate, as a potential biomarker for the disease.
Virginia Tech researchers have discovered an enzyme mixture that can work in the presence of toxic infused liquid biomass, eliminating the need for detoxification and reducing production costs. The enzyme cocktail increases biofuel yields by avoiding the production of by-products and synthesis of cell mass.
Recent studies on PCSK enzymes have shed light on novel functions in diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis, and cancer. The research has revealed that these enzymes may play a crucial role in regulating cholesterol levels and bone formation, offering potential new treatments for dyslipidemia and osteoporosis.
Research suggests that genetic variations in enzymes producing neuroactive steroids may be related to the risk of developing alcohol dependence. Studies have found linkages between AD and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding two key enzymes required for the generation of endogenous neuroactive steroids.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found a direct correlation between elevated troponin and creatine phosphokinase levels and increased risk of death, even among those who initially recover well from CABG surgery.
A team of researchers at the University of Gothenburg has identified an enzyme called GGTase-I that, when blocked, can lead to chronic inflammation and joint destruction in mice. The study suggests that GGTase-I plays a crucial role in suppressing RAC1 activity, which is behind the development of inflammatory disorders.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati has discovered a molecular mechanism implicated in geographic atrophy, the major cause of untreatable blindness in the industrialized world. The study identified Alu RNA toxicity as the underlying cause and developed two potential therapies to prevent geographic atrophy.
Researchers aim to utilize residual field crop material for industrial bio-ethanol production by breaking down cellulose into sugar. They are testing a bacterium's toolbox of enzymes to find ideal combinations for efficient degradation.
Researchers have developed a 3D model of Human 5-Lipoxygenase, the molecule responsible for creating inflammatory compounds that provoke asthma. This breakthrough could lead to more effective and targeted asthma medications with fewer side effects.
Researchers at the University of Southampton successfully crystallized a key norovirus enzyme, paving the way for the development of an antiviral treatment. The breakthrough could help alleviate the significant public health burden caused by noroviruses, which are responsible for one million cases in the UK each year.
A study published in Science reveals nearly 30,000 novel enzymes that can efficiently degrade plant cell wall materials, a major breakthrough for large-scale biofuel production. The discovery sheds light on the molecular machinery used by microbes in the cow's rumen to break down biomass into simple sugars.
A University of Illinois study suggests that consuming broccoli with broccoli sprouts can enhance the vegetable's anti-cancer effect by almost twice as much. Preparing broccoli correctly, with intact myrosinase enzyme, is key to unlocking its health benefits.
Researchers used accelerated evolution to engineer enzymes that can efficiently break down nerve agents, providing protection against nerve gas attacks. The developed enzymes show near-complete protection against certain types of nerve agents.
Two bacterial enzymes, AAD-1 and AAD-12, have been identified as conferring robust resistance to 2,4-D in corn and soybeans. The discovery may provide a solution to the spread of herbicide-resistant weeds, allowing growers an alternative to glyphosate.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have described the complete atomic structure formed by a yeast HAT and one of its associated proteins, revealing how a particular histone acetylation event works. This finding provides a crucial step towards understanding epigenetics and its related processes.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found that enzyme ADAR1 slows down measles virus replication and protects cells against other respiratory viruses. The discovery provides a significant improvement in understanding measles infections, which kill around 150,000 children and adults worldwide.
A study by researchers at Ohio State University found that an enzyme-armed virus can spread more effectively through brain tumors and improve survival rates. The enzyme helps the virus clear a path through protein molecules, allowing it to destroy cancer cells more efficiently.
Ischemic retinopathy is characterized by uncontrolled blood vessel formation in the retina. Researchers found that inhibiting an enzyme can prevent this by restoring balance between 'good guy' and 'bad guy' growth factors.
A new report reveals a key mechanism linking cellular energy state with whole-body energy state, optimizing fat absorption. Researchers found that the AMPK-SRC-2 pathway plays a crucial role in regulating fat uptake and storage.
A study by German researchers discovered a link between the PNPLA3 gene and liver cirrhosis in Caucasian alcoholics, revealing that those carrying a specific genetic variant may be at a higher risk of developing the condition. The study found that up to 50% of these high-risk individuals may progress to cirrhosis.
A European research team has developed a form of therapy to treat Alpha-mannosidosis, a rare childhood disease causing mental retardation and hearing loss. The therapy, called Lamazym, aims to replace the missing enzyme in cells, increasing life expectancy and quality of life.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers demonstrates that replacing the enzyme for MPS I shortly after birth can prevent irreversible damage and clinical signs of brain, heart, and bone disease. The breakthrough opens the door to improved methods of enzyme delivery in human patients with similar genetic disorders.
Scientists found that extreme temperature variations greatly impact chemical reactions, with some taking over 2 billion years to occur without enzyme assistance. This discovery challenges traditional views on life's origins and may influence future research on artificial catalysts.
Researchers found enzyme replacement therapy beginning at birth can eliminate almost all symptoms of mucopolysaccharidosis type I, a rare genetic disorder. Early treatment also showed significant improvements in brain pathology and reduced disease severity in animal models.
Researchers at Arizona State University have successfully produced plant-derived human butyrylcholinesterase, a bioscavenger that can neutralize organophosphate toxins. This breakthrough holds promise for protecting the nervous system from pesticide and nerve agent poisoning, as well as treating related diseases such as Alzheimer's.