Research on enzymes and the reactions they drive. Covers enzyme evolution, plastic-degrading enzymes, brain immune cells, and molecular imaging.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.