Articles tagged with Enzymes
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 at Michigan State University have developed a new method for producing cancer-fighting paclitaxel using natural enzymes, potentially reducing chemical byproducts and increasing efficiency.
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.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a missing enzyme that can resist the normal effects of a heart attack, allowing mice to retain nearly normal heart function. The findings suggest a potential therapy for stimulating blood vessel growth and preventing future attacks.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a new high-throughput screening technique that allows identification of potential cancer and other treatments. The technique, called fluopol-ABPP, uses fluorescence polarization to rapidly detect inhibitors for uncharacterized proteins.
A study found that quails fed an omega-3 fatty acid-rich diet for 6 weeks showed significant increases in aerobic capacity, similar to those seen in migrating sandpipers. The birds' muscle membranes revealed even distribution of the fatty acids, suggesting a non-selective allocation.
Researchers at Emory University have discovered that DNA repair enzymes can relocate to specific areas of the cell in response to oxidative stress, which is linked to various human diseases. This finding could lead to the development of anti-cancer drugs that target DNA repair mechanisms.
Researchers have created a new 'green' hair treatment that uses an enzyme to naturally lighten hair without damaging it. The enzyme degrades melanin and combats free radicals produced by traditional hydrogen peroxide-based bleaches, making it a potential solution for reducing hair damage and environmental impact.
Researchers found that acetylation affects yeast lifespan through the NuA4 enzyme complex, which also controls sugar production in cells. This discovery may have implications for understanding aging and human diseases, as the mechanisms identified are conserved across species.
Researchers found that inhibiting the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2) with licorice extract or by silencing its gene prevents colorectal cancer progression in mice. This approach produces effects specific to the colon and kidney, unlike existing preventive therapies.
Scientists warn that East Asians who drink heavily may be at increased risk of esophageal cancer due to an enzyme deficiency. Heavy drinking in these individuals can lead to a significant increase in the risk, particularly among those with two copies of the inactive gene variant.
Researchers at Caltech developed 15 new highly stable fungal enzyme catalysts that efficiently break down cellulose into sugars at high temperatures. This breakthrough is crucial for creating cost-efficient processes to extract sugars from cellulose, a key material in producing renewable fuels like ethanol or butanol.
Researchers identified acyl CoA: monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 as a critical enzyme in fat absorption. In mice genetically modified to lack this enzyme, high-fat diets failed to induce obesity and related symptoms.
Researchers in Colorado discovered a way to disrupt Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation by targeting protein and DNA with specific enzymes. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment strategies for infections caused by this bacteria, which are prevalent in burns, wounds, and cystic fibrosis patients.
A team of researchers has discovered that the enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is crucial for the survival of neural stem cells that produce new brain cells. This finding opens up new avenues for improving brain function and health by modifying AMPK activity.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that cells have a second chance to correct errors in protein production, which could lead to new insights into neurodegenerative disorders and the development of targeted antibiotics. This discovery gives scientists a better understanding of the mechanism behind protein synthesis mistakes.
A UCLA study found that broccoli sprouts triggered an increase in antioxidant enzymes, offering protection against free radical damage and inflammation. The researchers discovered a significant increase in these enzymes after consuming 100g or higher of broccoli sprouts.
The new technology uses self-replicating RNA molecules to detect specific chemicals, allowing for precise measurements of drugs, toxins, and other substances. This method has the potential to revolutionize fields such as medicine, environmental monitoring, and molecular computing.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have discovered an enzyme that enables yeast cells to ferment xylose into ethanol, a waste sugar in the cellulosic ethanol production process. This single-step conversion technology has the potential to increase biofuel production efficiency and reduce competition with food and feed production.
A new enzyme developed by CSIRO Australia successfully removes over 90% of atrazine from contaminated water in a trial, providing a promising solution to reduce off-farm water contamination. The enzyme works against various triazine herbicides and is expected to benefit farmers worldwide.
A Duke University-led team has developed a computer program that can redesign enzymes to produce natural antibiotics. The algorithm, called K*, sorts through possible shapes and changes of the key enzyme that produces gramicidin S, a natural antibiotic. This new technique may pave the way for more automated redesign of old drugs.
Gladstone scientists discovered that the DGAT1 enzyme plays a crucial role in regulating retinoic acid levels in the skin. Mice lacking this enzyme experienced increased retinoic acid levels, leading to skin sensitivity and hair loss, which could be prevented by restricting retinol intake.
A team of scientists has developed an enzyme-based process that converts cellulose from wood chips and water into high-quality hydrogen fuel. The breakthrough could enable the production of renewable hydrogen for transportation, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Scientists have developed a method to produce biodegradable plastics from plants, which can be used to replace petroleum-based plastics. The new plastic, called polyhdroxybutyrate-co-polyhydroxyvalerate (PHBV), is flexible and moldable, and can be naturally degraded into water and carbon dioxide by bacteria in the soil.
Researchers from DOE/JGI and FPL have deciphered the genetic mechanisms behind brown-rot fungi's ability to break down cellulose in wood. This breakthrough may lead to more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly strategies for biofuels production.
Researchers identified eighteen new genetic changes in rats from four continents that enable resistance to warfarin. VKORC1 gene mutations may cause heritable resistance by preventing coumarin derivatives from interfering with the reductase enzyme activity.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine identified a gene that causes obesity when mutated, affecting metabolism without impacting appetite. The study's findings provide new insights into epigenetics and open possibilities for novel pharmacologic approaches to treating obesity.
Researchers at UTSA have made a breakthrough discovery in the fight against tularemia, a deadly bio-warfare agent. They identified a unique metabolic pathway and enzyme, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthetase (NMS), that is specific to Francisella tularensis, making it a potential target for therapeutic development.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in developing a new gene-targeting therapy that uses an RNA enzyme to inhibit strains of the herpes simplex virus. The technique has shown promise in experiments with mice and rabbits, but further research is needed before it can be attempted in people infected with herpes.
A team of researchers has discovered a new enzyme in Shewanella that works together to oxidize lactate, a food and energy source for many microbes. The discovery suggests that dozens of bacteria use this multi-protein enzyme instead of the single-protein version, which could help clean up toxic pollutants.
Research published in the journal Genetics shows that fruit flies and humans regulate their circadian rhythms through similar cellular machinery. This discovery provides a viable animal model for circadian research and sheds light on the potential treatment of seasonal affective disorder, insomnia, and possibly some cancers.
Researchers have synthesized RNA enzymes that can replicate themselves without proteins, a breakthrough in understanding the origins of life. The system, which involves two enzymes that assemble each other, has been shown to sustain molecular information and give rise to variations through Darwinian evolution.
Dr. Debashis Ghosh's groundbreaking work has determined the three-dimensional structure of aromatase, a key enzyme in estrogen production. This breakthrough opens doors to customized, comprehensive medical treatment for breast cancer patients.
Researchers have discovered two enzymes involved in DNA demethylation, which could lead to targeted therapies aimed at slowing or preventing cancer. The enzymes control an 'on-and-off switch' for critical genes that trigger cancer and other diseases.
Researchers have developed a genetic modification that modifies the connections in lignin, making it easier to break down and access cellulose for ethanol production. The modified plants show increased sugar yields without compromising plant strength or lignin content.
Researchers find AID causes genetic malfunctions leading to Burkitt's lymphoma and potentially other cancers. The enzyme, responsible for immune system adaptation, also targets a cancer-promoting gene.
A team of researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center discovered a new enzyme that plays a primary role in how cancer tumors expand and spread. The enzyme, called sFAP, helps create scaffolding for cancer cells to attach, divide, and migrate.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered how a lowly fungus regulates its version of cholesterol, gaining new insight into the target and action of cholesterol-lowering drugs. In humans, Insig limits cholesterol production by inactivating the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase through phosphorylation.
Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University reported that IDO2 enzyme is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer cells, potentially leading to targeted immunotherapy. Genetic analysis revealed that about 75% of patients have an active IDO2 enzyme, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy.
An experimental TB drug called PA-824 has been found to work by producing nitric oxide gas, which kills the bacteria. The discovery could lead to the development of new drugs against other disease-causing bacteria, as humans lack the bacterial enzyme needed for the drug's effect.
A Queen's University study has shed new light on the control of a cell enzyme implicated in tissue damage after heart attacks and strokes. The research team discovered a way to block the enzyme's activity, which could lead to new drug treatments for stroke and heart disease.
Scientists have discovered an enzyme that can convert sugars into a precursor of acrylic glass, a plastic used in various applications. This breakthrough could make the production of acrylic glass more environmentally friendly and potentially increase its demand in the coming years.
Scientists have discovered a biological transformation that occurs in the absence of an enzyme, taking 2.3 billion years to complete. This finding highlights the importance of enzymes as catalysts in life processes and has implications for drug design and molecular studies.
A new study from the University of Iowa found that lung airway cells can activate vitamin D, leading to the expression of genes involved in immune defense. The active form of vitamin D helps fight bacterial infections and reduces inflammation.
Scientists at Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease have identified a new approach to destroy amyloid-beta proteins, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease. By reducing the natural inhibitor cystatin C, they can unleash potent enzyme cathepsin B to clear AB proteins from the brain.
Hydrogen sulfide is produced in the endothelial lining of blood vessels and regulates blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. The discovery has potential applications for designing drug therapies to enhance its formation as an alternative to current hypertension treatments.
A team led by UC San Diego professor Joseph Wang will create an automated sense-and-treat system that monitors biomarkers and administers treatment in real-time, aiming to improve soldier survival rates.
A study mapped the clan of mobile selfish genes Alu retrotransposons in the human genome, revealing that around 10,000 elements are still capable of jumping around and posing a major threat to human genetics. The research provides valuable insights into the behavior of these elements and their potential impact on personalized genomics.
Researchers have created a new therapy for preventing heart failure by developing a highly selective drug that blocks the production of aldosterone. The compounds were synthesized and tested in cell cultures and rat models, showing promising results.
Researchers at University of Southern California reveal the atomic structure of APOBEC-3G, an enzyme that stops HIV replication. The discovery suggests new directions for developing anti-HIV drugs by targeting a viral protein that blocks the enzyme.
Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Medicine discovered a novel enzyme linked to anencephaly, a rare fatal birth defect. The study suggests that a genetic test may be developed to diagnose the condition early in pregnancy.
Researchers at University of Missouri-Columbia used paramagnetic resonance relaxation enhancement to directly visualize HIV-1 protease maturation into an active infection. The 'tail' amino acid residues form a temporary tunnel where the virus becomes infective, enabling researchers to better understand and target novel therapeutics.
The Conaway Lab identifies a new way in which the proteasome helps regulate gene expression through its interaction with the chromatin remodeling complex INO80. This mechanism involves the deubiquitinating enzyme Uch37, which can remove protein tags from other proteins.
Researchers identified acylated steryl-beta-glucosides as the active compounds behind germinated rice's health benefits, including improved cognitive function and anti-diabetic properties. These unique sterol-like molecules are concentrated in the rice bran and may be specific to rice.
Researchers have identified a coral gene called STPCA that responds to light cycles and produces bicarbonate to buffer against acidity. This adaptation allows corals to survive in shallow waters with limited food resources.