Articles tagged with Enzymes
Researchers identify aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) as a crucial enzyme in reducing cellular damage from free radicals. Activation of ALDH2 increases its activity during heart attacks, leading to a significant drop in associated damage and potential applications for treating various diseases.
Researchers at Indiana University have discovered a molecule that could lead to new treatments for heart attacks and protect hearts during open heart surgery. The compound, Alda-1, was found to activate an enzyme that reduces cell death caused by lack of blood flow to the heart.
A study at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that a bacterial molecule must be inactivated, not just killed, for an animal to regain full health after infection. The 'signal' molecule, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), triggers the immune response and causes inflammation, but also suppresses it temporarily.
A Florida State University researcher has discovered a molecular mechanism that gives scientists a better understanding of how evolution occurs at the molecular level. The study reveals an enzyme with two pathways dedicated to the same task, one of which is an evolutionary vestige left over from an ancient enzyme.
Brookhaven researchers modified a desaturase enzyme to produce three new products, including two variations of an allylic alcohol and a fatty acid with two double bonds. The discovery expands the potential for engineering designer plant oils as biofuels and raw materials.
Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have identified a crucial protein called UHRF1 that acts like a bookmark to maintain the correct pattern of DNA methylation. This process is essential for normal development and preventing cancer, as alterations in methylation patterns can lead to gene silencing at the wrong times.
Bacteria use multifunctional enzymes to save energy and produce cell wall components, making them resistant to fluoroquinolone antibiotics. This 'moonlighting' activity protects the enzyme DNA gyrase from attack by antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered a key to cold tolerance in corn, allowing it to thrive in colder regions. By increasing PPDK enzyme production during cold weather, corn yields can be extended and growth seasons lengthened.
Researchers at Queen's University have found a new approach to regulating enzymes involved in blood clotting, potentially leading to novel treatments for heart attacks and strokes. The study targets the enzyme PDE5, which is also used in Viagra, and shows its selective inhibition could prevent platelet activation.
Researchers at Caltech developed a novel way to produce large quantities of drugs, including antiplaque toothpaste additives and antibiotics, using genetically modified yeast. The yeast produces reticuline, a precursor for benzylisoquinoline alkaloid molecules with various pharmacological activities.
The Scripps Research Institute team has identified a protein called Nrm1 that plays a crucial role in regulating the cell cycle. When DNA replication stalls, Nrm1's repression of certain genes is blocked, allowing those genes to be expressed again, which enables the production of proteins needed to correct the problem.
Researchers found that SOD1 protein stability and aggregation propensity are key factors in predicting patient survival. Mutations that increase stickiness and decrease stability of the protein correlate with reduced survival times.
Researchers found a compound in germinated brown rice that helps normalize blood sugar and enzymes out-of-whack with diabetes. This growth factor, ASG, increases levels of good enzymes and helps protect nerve membranes and homocysteine levels.
Researchers have found that cigarette smoke significantly worsens the consequences of viral infections in mice, leading to increased immune responses and airway damage. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying the negative impact of cigarette smoke on lung health and may have implications for human disease preven...
Researchers found that adding pressure early in their protocol dramatically speeds up proteomic analysis, reducing the time-consuming first step from four hours to just one minute. This breakthrough increases the number of samples that can be analyzed, with the pressure method generating about 10% more unique peptides.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding the replication of bluetongue virus, a major economic threat to farming. The 'heart' of the virus lies in its enzymes, which are crucial for initiating and sustaining infection.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that the loss of NEU1 triggers a catastrophic fall in biochemical dominos leading to disrupted hematopoietic stem cell formation and enlarged spleens. The study sheds new light on the cause of sialidosis and its link to bone marrow transplantation failure.
Srivastava aims to examine the link between aldose reductase and lung inflammation in asthma. His research group has previously demonstrated the enzyme's role in other inflammatory diseases.
A new approach to biofuel production uses plants to make enzymes, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The technology, developed by Texas A&M University researchers, can produce multiple products from a single crop, making it a more economically viable option.
Researchers have identified a new target for TB treatment, solving a long-standing puzzle about bacterial cell wall production. The discovery reveals molecules that could be developed into drugs to treat tuberculosis, particularly for multi-drug resistant strains.
The DOE JGI has announced 44 DNA sequencing projects to explore the genetic potential of various organisms, including pine trees, duckweed, and microalgae. These projects will generate over 60 billion nucleotides of data, roughly equivalent to 20 human genomes.
Chemists at Ohio State University have successfully created synthetic molecules that can change shape to suit a particular chemical reaction, similar to natural enzymes. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new catalysts for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
Researchers found that autophagy promotes premature activation of trypsinogen, a digestive enzyme that can damage pancreatic cells. In rodents with pancreatitis, high levels of autophagy were observed, and blocking the process reduced symptoms. The study reveals autophagy as a potential trigger for pancreatitis in mice.
The DOT1B enzyme helps epigenetically regulate VSG genes, allowing parasites to switch between coat variants. In its absence, silent genes become active, slowing down the switching process.
Researchers at UC Davis have isolated and expressed a pheromone-degrading enzyme in the Japanese beetle, which could lead to more effective pest control methods. By degrading pheromones, males may be unable to detect females and reproduce.
Researchers found a new enzyme, EhROM1, that helps the dysentery-causing amoeba evade the immune system. The enzyme is part of an ancient group of enzymes used by malaria parasites to enter host cells.
EhROM1 enzyme plays a crucial role in E. histolytica's immune evasion and surface protein shedding. The discovery paves the way for developing rhomboid inhibitors as a novel anti-parasitic strategy.
Researchers have found a way to prevent malaria parasites from becoming sexually mature, a crucial step in transmission. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this stage of the life cycle, helping to control the spread of drug resistance.
Researchers found that genetic flaws affecting enzyme efficiency can be restored with supplements, offering a personalized approach to health. The study, supported by DARPA, aims to identify variants of enzymes that can be enhanced with vitamin supplementation.
Bacteria with large metabolic networks and those living in diverse environments tend to be more modular. This makes sense as they adapt to changing environments by developing separate processes for different environments.
A chromatin modifying enzyme helps compensate for the fact that males have only one copy of the sex chromosome X by binding differently to male and female sex chromosomes. This process, called dosage compensation, ensures that males produce the same amount of proteins as females despite their single X chromosome.
Researchers have elucidated the structure and function of an enzyme decorating antibiotics with sugar molecules, which can help overcome antibiotic resistance. By understanding how these sugars are made, they aim to develop unnatural sugars with different properties.
A team of researchers from Iowa State University and the University of Hawai'i have developed a fungus that can remove organic material and solids from thin stillage, allowing for greater water recycling and reducing energy costs. This process could save ethanol producers up to $800 million a year in energy costs.
Researchers discovered a special digestive enzyme in silkworms that allows them to digest sucrose despite the presence of toxic alkaloids in mulberry leaves. The enzyme, beta-fructofuranosidase, is concentrated in the worm's gut and silk gland.
Researchers have made significant progress in diagnosing and preventing celiac disease, a condition where gluten triggers an autoimmune response. A new therapy, AT-1001, has shown promising results in improving intestinal permeability and reducing symptoms.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a link between the BACE1 enzyme and schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice lacking this enzyme. The study found that these mice exhibited deficits in social recognition and other schizophrenia-like traits, which improved with treatment with antipsychotic drug clozapine.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that blocking the CaMKK2 brain enzyme decreases appetite and promotes weight loss in mice. The study also showed that this enzyme is required for appetite control and protects against obesity-related health issues.
A team of researchers led by the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute has analyzed the genome of Trichoderma reesei, a champion biomass-degrading fungus. The study found that despite its reputation, T. reesei employs a surprisingly minimal repertoire of genes to break down plant cell walls.
A team of researchers has decoded the genetic sequence of Tricoderma reesei, a fungus that can break down plant fibers into simple sugars. This finding could unlock possibilities for industrial processes that convert corn, switchgrass, and cellulose-based waste into ethanol.
Bubonic plague bacteria produce excessive aspartic acid due to missing enzyme, contributing to its high lethality. Researchers found that a single genetic mutation in Yersinia pestis leads to this imbalance.
A team of scientists has identified new non-histone targets for a protein methyltransferase enzyme, expanding our understanding of epigenetic regulation in cells. The discovery broadens the view on methyltransferases and indicates that epigenetic gene regulation is more complex than previously thought.
Scientists develop novel strategy to inhibit ß-secretase enzyme in Alzheimer's disease by targeting cell membrane RAFTS. The approach demonstrates effective inhibition of amyloid peptide formation with concentrations as low as 100 nM.
The use of cell-based assays is increasing in early drug discovery work to test toxic effects, according to Genetic Engineering News. The technique offers a faster and lower-cost alternative, with market estimates projecting over $230 million by 2015.
Researchers have created a highly efficient method for producing hydrogen from plant biomass, addressing three major technical barriers to the 'hydrogen economy'. The new system could enable pollution-free and fuel-efficient transportation in the future.
Scientists from Michigan State University have discovered a way to convert entire corn plants into biofuel using an enzyme found in cow stomachs. This breakthrough enables the production of affordable cellulosic ethanol by unlocking plant fibers previously considered unusable.
A team of scientists has developed a computer-controlled system that can drive the evolution of improved RNA enzymes without human input. The system, known as an 'evolution-machine,' uses selection pressure to guide the evolution process, resulting in an enzyme that is 90 times more efficient at using starting ingredients.
Researchers found that increasing production of angiotensin-converting enzyme in macrophages enhances the immune system's ability to sense and respond to tumors. This discovery suggests a strategy for amplifying immune system function in humans, potentially enhancing cancer patients' ability to resist tumor growth.
Researchers observed a group of six enzymes forming a cluster in living cells, which are essential for cell replication and DNA production. This discovery could lead to new cancer treatments by disrupting purine synthesis and halting cancer cell replication.
Researchers have identified a key player in the killing of brain cells after a stroke or seizure - asparagine endopeptidase (AEP). AEP unleashes enzymes that break down brain cells' DNA, causing permanent damage.
A gene therapy treatment has been developed to restore a missing liver enzyme in people with glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD-Ia). The treatment has shown promising results in animal studies, with protected blood glucose levels for up to a year. Further research is needed to test the safety and efficacy of the treatment in humans.
Researchers at OHSU and Washington University have identified the mechanism of a bioengineered enzyme that functions efficiently as a potent clot busting agent, retaining minimal power to cause clot building. The breakthrough could lead to a safe alternative for treating heart attacks and strokes with a $20 billion market potential.
A new US population-based study found that elevated liver enzymes discovered during routine medical care are associated with a higher risk of mortality. Elevated AST and ALT levels were linked to increased standardized mortality rates, suggesting these simple blood tests could be valuable indicators of long-term outcome.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered a crucial role of the Hax1 protein in protecting cells from apoptosis. The findings provide valuable insights into the biochemical interactions that control programmed cell death, which may lead to new treatments for diseases like Parkinson's.
Embryonic livers store glycogen by overproducing the enzyme hexokinase (HK), which can produce glycogen independently of blood-glucose levels. This adaptation safeguards energy storage for newborns. Meanwhile, a protein called NCKX5 plays a key role in skin color production, exchanging sodium for calcium across cell membranes.
Scientists have discovered a gene expression pathway that exerts a sweeping influence over the process of oxidative stress. This pathway could potentially be manipulated to mitigate damage caused by oxygen and prevent diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and aging.
A new study by Buck Institute researchers finds that high levels of MAO-B enzyme in mice lead to Parkinson-like symptoms. The findings suggest that humans with high MAO-B levels may be at risk for the disease and could benefit from preventive treatment.
Researchers discovered that calcium channel blockers diltiazem and verapamil can restore partial enzyme homeostasis in cell lines from patients with Gaucher disease, Ą-mannosidosis, and type IIIA mucopolysaccharidosis. This finding may lead to a new treatment option for patients with neuropathic lysosomal storage diseases.
Researchers found that increasing ER calcium levels partially restored mutant lysosomal enzyme homeostasis in cell lines. Diltiazem and verapamil, L-type Ca2+ channel blockers, achieved this through a Ca2+ ion-mediated upregulation of chaperones, potentially treating neuropathic storage diseases.
Scientists have determined the three-dimensional structure of human kynurenine aminotransferase II, an enzyme regulating glutamate activity. The discovery provides insight into biochemical regulation and may lead to treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers have discovered a crucial role for heparan sulfate in regulating embryonic stem cell potency, while also uncovering the mechanism behind SARS lung damage. The structures of key enzymes involved in these processes are now understood, opening up new avenues for treatment and drug development.