Research on enzymes and the reactions they drive. Covers enzyme evolution, plastic-degrading enzymes, brain immune cells, and molecular imaging.
Researchers have found that cough suppressant syrup can be used as a probe to predict how well individual breast cancer patients metabolize tamoxifen, leading to more effective and targeted treatment. The study's results suggest that this method could improve patient outcomes by identifying those with altered metabolism.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists identifies Sirt3 as a crucial enzyme in the aging process, which helps to slow down aging by reducing free radicals produced by mitochondria. The findings provide a rational basis for devising interventions to retard aging and improve health in old age.
Researchers at Temple University found that 5-lipoxygenase plays a regulatory role in amyloid beta formation, a major component of Alzheimer's plaques. Asthma inhibitors may prevent or treat the disease by modulating this protein.
Scientists identified a key enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that can be targeted for new TB treatments. Three compounds were found to inhibit the enzyme effectively, killing bacterial cells.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a single P450 enzyme responsible for producing two common plant volatiles that defend against insect attacks. The discovery provides new insights into the biosynthesis of these compounds and offers potential applications in improving crop pest controls.
Researchers have isolated P450 compound I, a highly reactive chemical species involved in human metabolism of pharmaceuticals, enabling larger-scale studies to understand its chemical reactions. This breakthrough has significant implications for medicine and basic chemistry, driving research into specificity control.
Researchers have successfully recreated the metabolic process of a critical enzyme responsible for breaking down drugs and nutrients. By trapping the enzyme at a specific stage, they gained insight into how people respond differently to certain chemicals, which could aid in developing more efficient drugs and household products.
Scientists have engineered plants to accumulate high levels of desired compounds that could be used to make plastics. The research uses a new metabolic pathway in plants to produce a type of fatty acid that could serve as a source for chemical building blocks.
A team of researchers has discovered a way to target and block the enzyme beta glucuronidase, which causes severe diarrhea in patients taking CPT-11, a widely used colon cancer treatment. The breakthrough approach could improve anticancer drug efficacy and tolerance without harming beneficial gut bacteria.
Using x-ray crystallography, researchers at Saint Louis University have revealed the molecular structure of the zymogen form of thrombin, a precursor to the active enzyme involved in blood clotting. This discovery provides crucial information about the activation mechanism and opens new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
A new study reveals that immune cells use chromatin to form defensive webs, catching and killing pathogens with the help of enzymes neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase. The discovery opens up a new understanding of how the body defends against infection.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are using X-ray diffraction to study a unique enzyme found in the 'kissing bug' parasite and Aspergillus fumigatus fungus. The goal is to develop drugs that can inhibit the enzyme's activity, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating pulmonary diseases and Chagas disease.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found a gene variant associated with increased sensitivity to alcohol, suggesting a new mechanism for perception and brain effects. This discovery could lead to the development of drugs that enhance sensitivity to alcohol, while also offering insights into the complex nature of alcoholism.
A study published in Genes & Development found that blocking the action of an enzyme called PDE-4D3 leads to a significant increase in melanin production. This could lead to a novel way of protecting the skin from cancer-causing UV radiation, without the need for sunless tanning or indoor tanning.
A study from the Monell Center reveals that salivary amylase activity shapes how people perceive starchy food textures. Variability in enzyme levels influences starch digestion and metabolism, potentially impacting insulin resistance and diabetes risk.
Researchers found that an enzyme associated with fat storage in liver cells is required for HCV infectious activity. DGAT1 inhibitors may be effective against HCV, with several already in early clinical trials to treat obesity-associated diseases.
Researchers have developed a method to identify lytic enzymes with optimal bacteria-killing characteristics, which can target superbugs while leaving beneficial bacteria intact. The discovery aims to hasten the development of engineered enzymes for clinical use and offer a 'push button technology' solution.
Researchers from the USDA have identified a group of enzymes known as feruloyl esterases that can break down key links between plant cell wall polymers. These enzymes, produced by certain microbes, have been isolated and cloned for use in Escherichia coli to improve biofuel production efficiency.
Oregon State University researchers have successfully loaded biological molecules onto nanosprings, a nanostructure that maximizes surface area in microreactors. The findings may lead to new nanotech applications in pharmaceuticals, biological sensors, and biomedicine.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully controlled chemical reactions mechanically, enabling precise manipulation of molecular interactions. By applying mechanical stress to enzymes, they can influence specific steps in the reaction process, paving the way for new applications in medicine and beyond.
A University of Georgia study identifies a critical enzyme called MEC-17 that regulates microtubule acetylation in the nervous system. The finding could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which have altered levels of acetylation marks on microtubules.
A man-made chemical enzyme has been used to neutralize glycoside esculin, a toxin found in horse-chestnuts, demonstrating the feasibility of 'Chemzyme' technology. The artificial enzyme's resilience and designability make it a promising solution for various industrial applications.
Researchers at Rice University studied bacteria in a competition for evolutionary dominance, finding specific genetic mutations that imparted physical advantages. These mutations were linked to increased resistance to temperature changes and protein misfolding, which may be related to human diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers use fruit flies to study protein modifications that can contribute to cancer development. The study aims to unravel the role of enzyme San in tissue proliferation and cancer growth.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes have identified a mechanism to slow down fat digestion by introducing surfactants, which break down protein layers and enhance enzyme activity. This discovery may lead to the development of foods with slower fat digestion rates, inducing satiety.
Scientists have discovered that Helicobacter pylori needs vitamin B6 to cause and maintain stomach infections. Researchers used a mouse model to identify the importance of PdxA and PdxJ enzymes in bacterial pathogenesis, paving the way for novel antibiotic treatments.
The study aims to understand how enzymes activate molecular oxygen and attach it to substrate molecules to synthesize siderophores, essential for the microbes' metabolic needs. The researchers will use protein crystallography training to train global scientists and students.
A new coating, combining carbon nanotubes with the natural enzyme lysostaphin, has been created to safely eradicate MRSA from surfaces. The coating is effective, selective and stable, and does not rely on antibiotics or leach chemicals into the environment.
A newly discovered molecular mechanism helps control the amount and effectiveness of a substance that mimics an active ingredient in marijuana. The study suggests that the enzyme ABHD6 plays a crucial role in degrading this substance, which is produced by the body's own nerve cells.
Scientists have obtained the closest look yet at how a gargantuan molecular machine breaks down unwanted proteins in cells, a critical housekeeping chore that helps prevent diseases such as cancer. The research provides valuable clues on how the enzyme, tripeptidyl peptidase II, keeps cells tidy and disease-free.
DZNE and LMU researchers have identified alpha secretase enzyme ADAM10, which cleaves amyloid precursor protein without forming beta-amyloid plaques. This discovery opens up new possibilities for diagnosing and preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have discovered a family of enzymes involved in the breakdown of toxic fragments that lead to Huntington's disease. Inhibiting these enzymes, known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), has been shown to reduce the accumulation of toxic fragments associated with HD.
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.
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.
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.
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.