Articles tagged with Enzymes
Two middle school students from Wisconsin have co-authored a study revealing the innermost structure of a key bacterial enzyme that activates antibiotics and anti-cancer agents. The researchers identified the 3D structure of the methyltransferase, a crucial step in determining its function.
Researchers found that an enzyme in the cholera bacteria uses a previously unknown mechanism to provide energy. This discovery offers insights into creating drugs to target the bacteria without harming humans. The study provides new understanding of how living organisms convert energy and transport ions.
Researchers have witnessed how a key enzyme called photolyase works at the atomic level to repair sun-damaged DNA in a few billionths of a second. The discovery holds promise for future sunburn remedies and skin cancer prevention by allowing scientists to design drugs or lotions that heal sun damage.
Researchers at the Energy Biosciences Institute developed a mechanistic model of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, improving understanding of enzyme-substrate interaction. The model tracks individual cellulases and key cellulose surface properties, revealing critical factors affecting enzyme activity and sugar production.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new epigenetic player that affects gene activity in boys with X-linked mental retardation and facial birth defects. The study reveals an enzyme, PHF8, works to maintain active gene transcription.
Researchers at Oregon State University have found that stimulating the production of fatty acid elongase-5 enzyme in mice can cure mild diet-induced diabetes. The study suggests a new approach to diabetes therapy, with potential applications for human treatment and management of related conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The DOE Joint Genome Institute has sequenced and published the genomes of two wood-decaying fungi, advancing biofuels prospects. Studying the genome of Schizophyllum commune reveals a diverse set of enzymes involved in plant biomass degradation, offering opportunities for efficient biomass conversion into biofuel.
Researchers created FucM mouse mutants to investigate the role of the fucose mutarotase enzyme in sexual preference. The study found that female mice with the gene knockout displayed drastically reduced sexual receptivity and altered brain development, leading to masculine-like behavior.
Researchers have discovered a dramatic increase in an enzyme called O-GlcNAcase in the red blood cells of people with diabetes and prediabetes. This enzyme may be used as a diagnostic tool to detect prediabetes at its earliest stages, allowing for potential early intervention.
A Japanese team of scientists has identified a long-elusive enzyme necessary for the proper regulation of primary cilia, which serve as communication hubs in sensory neurons. The discovery may aid in developing therapies for diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and polycystic kidney disease.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified the key enzyme Brg1, which plays a vital role in both fetal heart development and causing cardiac hypertrophy in adults. The discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for heart disease.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute have identified a gene controlling the difference in sex pheromone production between two European Corn Borer races, E and Z. The study found that this genetic variation leads to reproductive isolation, potentially marking the beginning of new species evolution.
A Ph.D. student has received a fellowship to study the enzyme UDP-galactopyranose mutase, which produces a sugar absent in humans, offering a potential target for drug treatment. The research aims to understand the chemical mechanism and develop new treatments for Chagas' disease.
Scientists at the Joint BioEnergy Institute have discovered a three-gene cluster from the bacterium Micrococcus luteus that enables the production of long-chain alkene hydrocarbons in E. coli. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of renewable transportation fuels.
Researchers at Saint Louis University have successfully engineered a new version of the blood-regulator enzyme thrombin with optimized anti-blood clotting properties. This breakthrough opens the door to potential new medications that can treat diseases related to thrombosis without carrying a risk of hemorrhage.
Researchers found that an enzyme called prolyl oligopeptidase controls a set of genes related to lithium sensitivity in bipolar patients. This discovery could lead to better understanding of the illness and more effective treatments.
Smokeless tobacco affects enzyme function and genetic material in liver, kidney, and lungs, altering hormone production and potentially toxic substance breakdown. The study's findings highlight the need for greater awareness of smokeless tobacco's risks, particularly among youth and vulnerable populations.
Researchers at the ARS Natural Products Utilization Unit have found a way to make sorghum less toxic to certain crops, while increasing its weed-fighting abilities. This discovery may lead to more sustainable agricultural practices and reduced pesticide use in other crops.
A new assay using gelatin zymography reliably detects mature cathepsin K, a key enzyme in osteoporosis, arthritis, and cancer metastasis. The technique outperforms existing methods, allowing for sensitive detection of small amounts of the enzyme.
Researchers have discovered that certain RNA viruses, including Poliovirus and Hepatitis C virus, copy themselves by seizing a cellular enzyme to create replication factories enriched in phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) lipids. This process enables the viruses to attract and stimulate the enzymes needed for replication.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine identified a protein that regulates the accumulation of an enzyme linked to Alzheimer's disease. Increasing levels of this protein may prevent the progression of the neurodegenerative disorder.
A multicenter team of researchers, including scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, has received a NIH 'Glue Grant' to develop a strategy for discovering the structure and function of unknown enzymes. The research may result in new drug targets and lead to new enzymes for industrial reactions.
Researchers found zebrafish possess an enzyme linked to cortisol, which may aid in understanding its function in the human brain. The discovery could provide new avenues for investigating diseases related to cortisol imbalance.
Researchers developed a new approach to harness and modulate enzyme activity, allowing for the design of industrial catalysts and healthcare diagnostics. The technique uses polyvinyl alcohol to limit molecule diffusion, enabling simultaneous monitoring of enzyme- peptide interactions.
Scientists identified a tiny gene mutation that alters liver enzyme production, affecting drug processing and dosing. This mutation may serve as a biomarker to predict toxicity thresholds in cancer patients and tailor medication doses.
A Scripps Research Institute team has discovered a mechanism to enhance the cellular folding and function of mutated lysosomal enzymes, which are linked to Gaucher's disease. The researchers used FDA-approved drugs to increase calcium levels in cells from patients with Gaucher's disease, potentially paving the way for clinical trials.
Researchers developed new xylanase enzymes to solubilize and produce short-chain arabinoxylan oligosaccharides (AXOs) from wheat bran. AXOs promote gut health by fermenting into butyric acid, a beneficial compound for intestinal mucosa cells.
A study found that genetic variations in the ADH1B enzyme are associated with reduced rates of alcohol dependence and increased sedation. Individuals with this variant tend to drink less and experience a different response to alcohol, which may help protect against heavy drinking and its consequences.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a synthetic enzyme that can selectively bind with proteins and attach tags for identification. The method has shown promise in identifying signaling proteins involved in health and disease, including those related to cancer.
Researchers have uncovered a new pathway of microRNA generation, revealing why Argonaute2 proteins are necessary in mammals. This alternative route bypasses the Dicer enzyme, allowing Ago2 to directly mature and regulate genes.
Scientists have created an enzyme called CocE that can rapidly break down cocaine and its toxic metabolites. This breakthrough could lead to a new therapy for treating cocaine overdose, which causes over half a million emergency room visits annually.
Researchers have identified the enzyme that produces phytate, a naturally-occurring phosphate deposit found in seeds, beans, and tubers of many crops. This breakthrough has significant implications for reducing phytate-related pollution and improving animal feed efficiency.
Researchers have identified a potential drug target in the parasite life cycle, which could block its ability to infect humans. Cryptosporidium oocysts are stable outside a host and resistant to conventional water treatment methods.
Researchers determined the structure of an intermediate enzyme form participating in fundamental biology reactions. The discovery sheds light on life's origins and potential applications in producing renewable fuels and fighting pollution.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that resveratrol increases levels of an enzyme shielding nerve cells in the brain from damage, protecting against ischemic stroke. The study suggests that moderate wine consumption may have a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have discovered that an enzyme found in white blood cells can break down carbon nanotubes into harmless components. This breakthrough finding has significant implications for the future use of carbon nanotubes in medicine, potentially rendering them harmless and reducing toxicity.
A study by University of Washington researchers suggests that dangerous plaques in blood vessels can rupture due to an overproduction of protein-digesting enzymes. This process is associated with plaque hemorrhage, artery-blocking clots, and a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered two closely related enzymes, FT and GGT, as promising targets for treating lung cancer. By blocking these enzymes in transgenic mice, they found that cell growth was inhibited, tumour formation decreased, and survival rates improved.
Scientists have discovered a more economical way to convert wood and other non-food biomass into ethanol fuel, reducing enzyme costs by up to 90%.
A Johns Hopkins team identified a class of chemical compounds that selectively slow down a tuberculosis protein's activity and block TB growth. The MetAP inhibitors have the potential to enhance existing therapy by targeting an essential enzyme in the bacteria's survival.
Research by LSU Health Sciences Center scientists has found that drug metabolism is influenced by the interaction between enzymes, which can affect a drug's elimination from the body or conversion into toxic byproducts. The study suggests that testing individual enzymes alone may not be sufficient to predict drug effectiveness and safety.
Researchers have identified a key enzyme, myeloperoxidase, as a significant predictor of mortality in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients. High levels of the enzyme increase the risk of death by more than double over a 13-year period.
A team of researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder has discovered a previously unknown cellular switch that can be used to trigger programmed cell death. This process, known as apoptosis, is essential for preventing human diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. The study found that caspase, a well-known enzyme involved ...
Researchers discovered gribble's digestive system contains enzymes that break down wood polymers, offering clues for industrial conversion. This could lead to the production of biofuels produced with gribble enzymes, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Researchers confirm NEIL3 as a functional DNA glycosylase in both vitro and in vivo studies. The protein effectively removes damaged bases from DNA, particularly the FapyGua lesion, which may cause dangerous mutations.
Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes discovered that SIRT3 plays a crucial role in regulating fatty acid oxidation and identified it as a potential therapeutic target. Mice lacking SIRT3 exhibited impaired fat burning and increased levels of fat and triglycerides, highlighting the enzyme's importance in energy metabolism.
A University of Alberta researcher has identified a way to lower the amount of fat in the blood and improve glucose metabolism. The study found that decreasing the activity of an enzyme called triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH) can also protect against diabetes and increase physical activity.
Research reveals that mice without an enzyme breaking down triglycerides exhibit improved metabolism with no negative effects, suggesting TGH as a promising therapeutic target. The liver compensates by synthesizing less fat and triglycerides are directed for oxidation.
Researchers at Michigan State University used a new cooling method to study the reaction of iron and oxygen atoms in enzyme TauD, discovering never seen before steps that overturn conventional thought. This breakthrough has implications for understanding how enzymes function and designing inhibitors to prevent diseases.
A team of scientists from the University of Colorado has created a tiny RNA molecule that can catalyze protein synthesis, a crucial reaction for the building blocks of life. This breakthrough supports the 'RNA World' hypothesis, proposing that life on Earth evolved from early forms of RNA.
Researchers have created a method to convert non-food biomass into sugar, which is then fermented into ethanol. This approach produces significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional corn-based ethanol, offering a promising alternative for cleaner fuel production.
Chemists at Max Planck Institute develop enzyme that converts diverse molecules enantioselectively, producing desired biological activity. By modifying amino acids distant from the reaction site, they create an optimized catalyst with improved efficiency and selectivity.
A study has identified three genes associated with stuttering in volunteers from Pakistan, the US, and England. Mutations in these genes have been linked to other metabolic disorders, suggesting a possible inherited component to stuttering.
Researchers at LA BioMed found that patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis can safely undergo surgery within 48 hours of admission, reducing hospital stay lengths by a day. This new approach aims to shorten hospital stays and improve outcomes for these patients.
Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service's malting barley laboratory are studying the enzymes produced by barley grains as they germinate. They have found that the balance of these enzymes can impact the malt's flavor and other qualities, leading to improved malting barleys for the future.
A multinational team of researchers has identified a plan to develop new treatments for malaria by targeting the parasites' digestive enzymes. By blocking these enzymes, the parasites can no longer survive within human red blood cells, offering new hope for millions affected by global spread of drug-resistant parasites.
A study reveals that the absence of SIRT6 triggers a switch from cellular respiration to glycolysis, leading to increased glucose uptake and reduced mitochondrial energy production. This switch may contribute to tumor growth and provide new insights into treating type 2 diabetes.
A research team at Uppsala University discovered that point mutation can introduce new functions into an enzyme without major structural alterations. This finding may explain the emergence of resistance to toxins in various organisms, including insects, viruses, bacteria, and tumors.
Researchers have discovered a compound that can obstruct the enzyme protecting a deadly parasite causing sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis. The findings provide new hope for developing effective treatments against these incurable diseases.
Research suggests UbcH10 overexpression promotes aneuploidy and chromosome missegregation in tumors. High levels of UbcH10 in mice resulted in tumor formation across multiple tissues.