Articles tagged with Enzymes
Researchers discovered a molecule called Alda-1 that activates the defective enzyme, restoring its ability to metabolize acetaldehyde. The findings suggest a possible treatment for individuals with the enzyme defect, which affects approximately 40% of East Asian populations.
A team of researchers from Indiana University and Stanford University has determined how a 'chemical chaperone' activates the ALDH2 enzyme, which plays a crucial role in metabolizing toxins after a heart attack. The discovery could lead to new treatments by restoring enzyme function, reducing muscle damage caused by heart attacks.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have determined the structures of two enzymes that customize histones, revealing insights into how DNA's packaging is crucial for gene regulation. The discovery may help doctors better understand or prevent inherited mental retardation.
Researchers from Brown University have discovered that inhibiting Sirt1 activity in the brain's hypothalamic region can help control food intake and lead to a smaller weight gain. The study suggests a potential mechanism for new obesity treatments.
Biologists have discovered plant enzymes that enable plants to respond more efficiently to elevated carbon dioxide levels. This discovery could lead to the development of drought-resistant crops with improved water efficiency. The research found that specific proteins called carbonic anhydrases play a crucial role in this process.
A Brandeis study directly visualizes protein structures crucial for enzyme catalysis at high-energy states, suggesting new molecular sites for potential drug targets. The research reveals the importance of protein dynamics in enzyme function, offering insights into protein function and potential avenues for targeted drug design.
A five-year study shows enzyme replacement therapy reduces left ventricular mass index by around 10% and improves midwall fractional shortening in patients with baseline cardiac hypertrophy. The treatment also significantly improves average pain and quality of life scores.
Researchers developed microscopic polymer beads that can deliver an antioxidant enzyme into the heart, reducing dying cells and improving heart function after a simulated heart attack. The enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), soaks up toxic free radicals produced during a heart attack.
Scientists discover GM1-ganglioside builds up in brain cells of patients with GM1-gangliosidosis, disrupting calcium balance and leading to programmed cell death. The study suggests a two-step process and identifies key proteins involved in the disease.
Researchers have successfully transplanted genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells into mice, allowing their developing red blood cells to produce a critical lysosomal enzyme and preventing or reducing organ and central nervous system damage from Hurler's syndrome. This approach has the potential to improve treatment options for ...
A new system for delivering a scar-degrading enzyme has been developed, allowing for sustained delivery and improved degradation of dense scar tissue. This enables recovery from serious central nervous system injuries by facilitating nerve growth and regeneration.
A new method for harvesting purified protein molecules has been discovered, utilizing an enzymatic 'on-switch' to separate desired proteins from impurities. The technique, developed by a multi-institutional research team, shows promise for obtaining high-purity proteins with greater than 95% efficiency.
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is launching a collaborative research program to identify new enzymes and metabolites in domestic insects for medical, pest control, and industrial applications. The program aims to develop new antibiotics and sustainable solutions for food production and quality control.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory identified an enzyme responsible for suberin production, which can help control water and nutrient transportation in plants. This discovery may lead to easier agricultural production of crops used for biofuels, enabling them to thrive in specific or harsh environments.
Scientists have discovered the atomic structure of an enzyme responsible for DNA replication in human mitochondria, which can cause harmful drug side effects. By targeting a different region of the enzyme, researchers aim to design more selective and less toxic anti-HIV drugs.
Researchers at the University of York have identified an enzyme called XplA that can break down royal demolition explosive (RDX) in the soil. The discovery provides significant insights into biological function and could lead to more efficient cleanup methods for RDX pollution.
Researchers found a strong correlation between a genetic mutation of anti-oxidant enzymes and age-related hearing loss, with patients exhibiting the mutation being three times more likely to develop ARHL. The study also revealed no association between the NAT2 gene and ARHL.
A study found that genetic variation of the CYP2D6 enzyme is associated with clinical outcomes for women treated with tamoxifen. Women with reduced or absent CYP2D6 function had higher breast cancer event rates and poorer survival rates compared to those with extensive metabolism.
Researchers discovered how bacteria convert methylmercury into a less-toxic form, a trait that lets them survive in mercury-rich environments. Understanding this mechanism may be a viable way to combat methylmercury pollution.
A Scripps Research team has identified histone deacetylase 3 as the key enzyme target for a potential Friedreich's ataxia drug. The findings could lead to treatments for related conditions like Huntington's disease and improve understanding of the disease.
Researchers at UNC are working on developing new methods to measure cellular signaling and tackle chronic pain. Dr. Joseph DeSimone is using a Pioneer Award to create new delivery methods for biological therapeutics, while Dr. Mark Zylka aims to treat pain with enzyme-based treatments. These projects have the potential to profoundly im...
Researchers at the University of Iowa discovered a way to deliver therapeutic molecules directly into brain cells using the blood-brain barrier. They found that unique alterations in the blood vessels surrounding brain cells can target specific diseases, allowing for non-invasive treatment of lysosomal storage diseases.
A new mass spectrometry-based tool has been developed by University of Cincinnati experts, providing more precise and cost-effective data collection for drug discovery efforts. The novel application eliminates false-positive results and reduces reagent costs, saving substantial time and money.
Kyoto University Professor Sakayu Shimizu received the 2009 Enzyme Engineering Award for his pioneering contributions to biotechnological tools and novel microbial reactions. His research has led to the commercialization of many biotechnological processes on a large scale.
Researchers found that a specific glutathione S-transferase in the insect gut converts plant hormone cis-OPDA into iso-OPDA, which is then used by caterpillars to survive on host plants. This adaptation allows generalist caterpillars to thrive on diverse plant species.
A study finds substantial improvement in a mouse model of a rare neurodegenerative disease after transplantation of normal human neural stem cells. The transplanted cells provided a critical enzyme missing in the brains of experimental mice, showing promise for a potential therapeutic approach.
Researchers mapped genetic mutations in Trichoderma reesei to boost cellulase production, increasing biofuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The study provides a blueprint for future studies on the fungus's genetic makeup.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have identified a key enzyme in bacteria that can be targeted to kill dangerous pathogens. Chemical compounds have been discovered to inhibit this enzyme, showing promise for developing new antibacterial agents.
A Rutgers University—Camden biochemist is creating a database for quick background checks on all known enzyme functions, including energy-creators like ATP and ADP. The goal is to create a standard vocabulary to describe how enzymes function for the biomedical community.
A common gene variant affects how people respond to Plavix, a leading anti-clotting medicine. This defective enzyme version reduces the drug's effectiveness in about 30% of the population, increasing their risk for strokes and heart attacks.
Researchers have found that blocking a key enzyme, aldose reductase, can significantly reduce asthma symptoms. The discovery opens the way for human trials of a new treatment, which could provide a badly needed alternative to existing therapies.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have discovered that two separate functions—alanine adding and editing—were joined together in a single enzyme during early evolution. The findings show that the C-Ala domain enhances collaboration between the aminoacylation and editing domains, making them work together synergistically.
Researchers have gained in-depth knowledge of pyruvate carboxylase's structure, a metabolic enzyme linked to genetic diseases like lactic acidaemia and hypoglycaemia. The study also sheds light on its potential role in obesity and diabetes treatments.
Researchers uncover how certain types of viral RNA pairs trigger an enzyme called protein kinase R (PKR) to inhibit viral production. PKR recognizes double-stranded RNAs and stops protein synthesis in infected cells, ultimately causing cell death.
The 'super sensor' can detect pathogens, pollution, and disease biomarkers with high precision, making it suitable for various environments and situations. The device's potential applications include early warning systems for heart attacks, detecting pollutants in drinking water, and monitoring pesticides in organic food.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that inhibiting an enzyme in newborn brains stops a type of brain damage linked to cerebral palsy and death. The experimental treatment involves injecting a naturally occurring substance called plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 into the brains of newborn rats.
Researchers at Yale University have made a groundbreaking discovery that reducing levels of an enzyme in the brain decreases appetites and increases energy levels. The study found that blocking this enzyme leads to weight loss and a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes in mice, providing new hope for treating metabolic disorders.
A recent study published in International Immunopharmacology reveals that Pycnogenol inhibits the generation of COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes associated with inflammation. This finding suggests that Pycnogenol can decrease pain and reduce inflammatory conditions by shutting down specific enzyme production.
A Japanese research group discovered that two types of palmitoylating enzymes regulate synaptic protein PSD-95 in different ways, contributing to stable synaptic activity. This finding suggests individual enzymes have distinct functions and may represent therapeutic targets for neurological disorders.
Researchers at McMaster University developed a method for printing toxin-detecting biosensors on paper using an inkjet printer, utilizing lateral flow sensing technology. The sensors retain enzyme activity for months, making them suitable for monitoring environmental toxins and detecting diseases in remote settings.
A team of scientists at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC has discovered an enzyme crucial for maintaining a robust immune system into old age. The study found that the novel mouse model has a thymus that remains intact throughout its life.
Researchers have discovered that deleting specific genes can significantly reduce toxic calcium release in pancreatic cells, which can trigger pancreatitis. The study's findings may lead to the development of more effective treatments for the disease, particularly those related to excessive drinking.
A study by French and American scientists found that enzyme synthesis of steroids in humans is unrelated to those in insects, snails, octopuses, and corals. This discovery suggests a 'snail-centered viewpoint' for understanding the effects of environmental chemicals on steroid synthesis.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center identified the 15-LOX-1 enzyme, which produces neuroprotectin D1, a molecule that protects retinal cells key to vision. This discovery has potential applications in treating retinal degenerative diseases and neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that levels of paraoxonase 1 enzyme activity remained low in some individuals through age 7, contradicting the assumption that children approach adult levels by age 2. The study recommends re-evaluating EPA standards for acceptable pesticide exposure levels.
Researchers at UW-Madison identified a unique process for building structural carbohydrates in tuberculosis bacteria, offering insight into controlling carbohydrate polymers' length. This discovery may lead to developing new therapeutics against TB and has broader applications in designing vaccines and producing fuels.
Researchers discovered that a small portion of an enzyme plays a key role in fighting bacterial infections in the lungs. The team found that mice without this gene were more likely to die from infection, highlighting a potential new target for antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered two new structures involving the central component of an enzyme important to the complement system of the immune response. These findings may pave the way for more efficient therapeutics for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award supports Sobrado's research on iron acquisition mechanisms by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Aspergillus fumigatus. The goal is to identify inhibitors that can be developed as antibiotics or antifungal agents.
A Scripps Research team has created a chemical system that assembles and disassembles itself without enzymes, mimicking DNA. The system uses peptides and nucleobases, potentially shedding light on the emergence of life on Earth.
Researchers have found the optimal conditions for a new microbe to degrade n-hexadecane, suggesting a more effective approach to bioremediation. The team discovered that enzymes within the microbial cell and its membrane are responsible for degradation, with neutral pH and 30 Celsius temperature being ideal conditions.
A soil microbe uses an enzyme to produce a herbicidal compound by breaking a non-activated carbon-carbon bond in a single step. The study provides the first three-dimensional structure of the enzyme and proposes a mechanism for its task.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have discovered an enzyme called meprin that plays a key role in the severity of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The study found that mice lacking meprin had more severe intestinal damage, indicating that meprin reduces inflammation.
Scientists have created a microcontainer that can hold thousands of individual 'carrier units' - a 'capsosome'. These are polymer capsules with embedded liposomes, combining the advantages of both systems. The capsosomes were produced by several steps and demonstrated successful transport of an enzyme model cargo.
Researchers have developed new processes using microorganisms to convert organic waste into biodegradable plastics. These bioplastics can be produced at rates up to three times faster than existing processes and have potential applications in various industries.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified two chemicals that can increase the activity of a molecule called insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), which helps break down proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that activating IDE may offer a new therapeutic approach for treating and preventing the disease.
Researchers at Emory University discover a process required for epigenetic reprogramming between generations, shedding light on fertilization, stem-cell formation, and cloning. The study found that histone protein modification can be inherited through cell-to-cell transmission.
The organism Methanopyrus kandleri has a mutation that shuts down cellular activity, but an enzyme converts it back to normal. This discovery may combat viruses and provide insights into protein biosynthesis.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have created a 'family tree' of genes expressed in woody and herbaceous plants, uncovering clues for engineering plants more efficient for biofuel production. They identified 94 and 61 genes that may carry the genetic instructions for making enzymes controlling cell-wall modification.
Researchers discovered that naturally fluorescent molecules like NADH can be used to detect cancer cells. The team developed a non-destructive method to measure NADH levels in live cells, which could help differentiate between normal and cancerous cells at early stages of tumor progression.