Articles tagged with Enzymes
A Texas chemist has won a national award for his work on vitamin B12, a natural product he has worked with for about 30 years. He is now working on recreating the pathway for taxol, an anti-cancer drug derived from yew trees.
Scientists at the University of Iowa have gained insight into how naphthalene dioxygenase, a bacterial enzyme, utilizes oxygen to catalyze reactions. This breakthrough has implications for developing microorganisms that can clean up toxic waste and creating novel drugs.
Researchers have visualized the molecular structure of succinate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in cellular respiration, revealing its anti-aging function. The study shows that the enzyme's three-dimensional shape prevents the formation of destructive oxygen atoms, which can cause cellular aging.
Researchers developed a microchip with light-impeding holes to observe individual enzymes interacting with other molecules. This technique enables detailed analysis of fluctuations and variability in enzyme behavior, crucial for understanding molecular movement and predicting less predictable behavior.
Research reveals bilirubin's role in protecting cells from oxidative damage, potentially improving outcomes for conditions like stroke and heart attack. The study also sheds light on the paradox of bilirubin's production, suggesting it may be an evolutionary development to combat cellular stress.
Researchers discovered a key molecule regulating multiple genes in yeast and humans, potentially enabling rapid response to stress. The molecule, inositol polyphosphate, affects hundreds of genes by regulating enzymes that alter chromatin structure.
Preservatives can be grouped into three types: antimicrobials, antioxidants, and enzymes that fight natural ripening. Sulfur dioxide blocks microbial growth in foods, while propionates and benzoates help keep bakery products fresh.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a new treatment for Gaucher disease by using small molecules to partially correct the genetic defect that underlies most cases of the disease. The therapy targets the most common mutation and could be more convenient and less costly than current enzyme replacement therapy.
Scientists have identified a unique mechanism used by the Esa1 enzyme to relax DNA packaging, differing from other enzymes in its family. This discovery opens up new possibilities for developing targeted cancer therapies.
Patients receiving enzyme replacement therapy for a near-two-year period show improved pain levels and reduced organ damage. The treatment continues to be effective despite the presence of antibodies in some patients.
Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University have identified a potential target for anxiety-reducing drugs that may be less addictive and have fewer side effects. The research found that mice lacking a certain enzyme exhibit reduced anxiety levels, providing insight into the mechanisms of stress creation.
Researchers have identified a protein fragment in cereal grains that causes celiac sprue, an autoimmune disorder requiring strict gluten-free diets. A bacterial enzyme that breaks down this peptide may also offer relief to those with the condition, according to a study published in Science.
Researchers at Stanford University Hospital have discovered a bacterial enzyme that can rapidly degrade toxic fragments of gluten, potentially providing an alternative to a strict gluten-free diet. This breakthrough has the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of Celiac disease patients worldwide.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine identified a protein fragment called gliadin as the cause of gluten intolerance. They also proposed using a dietary enzyme to break down the fragment into harmless bits, offering hope for future treatment.
Researchers discovered a mutation in the caspase-8 gene in two siblings with an immune disorder, which led to impaired lymphocyte activation and severe immunodeficiency. The study found that functional caspase-8 restored immune cell function, suggesting its potential as a target for new therapies.
Researchers found that beta-secretase activity is increased in Alzheimer's diseased brains, specifically in temporal and frontal cortex. This increase persists throughout the duration of the illness, making BACE a promising target for treatment, even late in the disease.
Researchers successfully immobilized an enzyme called organophosphorus hydrolase, nearly doubling its activity levels. The breakthrough could lead to the development of novel sensor and decontamination systems for homeland security and environmental protection.
Researchers at Michigan State University and the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute found a way for an enzyme to repair DNA using iron and oxygen, bypassing oxidation. This discovery offers possibilities for understanding biological functions and combating diseases such as cancer and aging.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy approach to treat mucopolysaccharidosis VII, a disorder affecting multiple organ systems, in dogs. The treatment involves four intravenous injections of a retroviral vector expressing canine beta-glucuronidase, resulting in normal enzyme activity and near-normal mobility in treated dogs.
Researchers discovered an enzyme called Hck that plays a role in activating macrophages, which form part of the immune system in the lungs. The team found that altering the enzyme led to progressive lung disease in mice, mimicking human COPD symptoms, including mucus accumulation and scarring.
Researchers found that knocking out enzymes adds fucose to proteins, protecting the kidney from damage and inflammation. Developing drugs targeting these enzymes could lead to new therapies for conditions like heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers have developed a new agent using phage enzymes that can specifically target and eliminate millions of anthrax bacteria within seconds. This targeted killer also shows promise as an anthrax detection and decontamination tool, with potential applications in mailrooms or subway stations.
Scientists have identified a new enzyme pathway that leads to nerve cell death outside of the cells, which can be targeted by new drugs. This discovery could lead to novel treatments for stroke and several neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have identified genetic markers that can predict which patients with schizophrenia will benefit from clozapine treatment. The study found that genetic variations in four key genes, including 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C, can successfully predict treatment outcome in approximately 77% of cases.
Researchers have found that a gene repair mechanism called MBD4 enzyme can reduce gene mutations in mice, which are up to three times more common without the enzyme. This discovery may aid in understanding how cancer develops and finding new treatments.
Researchers found that adenylyl cyclase activity levels were more sensitive to recent alcohol consumption in subjects with a family history of alcoholism. Chronic marijuana users had substantially higher adenylyl cyclase activity levels, suggesting possible abnormal metabolism or product of marijuana use.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that even mild elevations in liver enzymes ALT and AST are associated with a nearly twice higher death rate compared to normal levels. Elevated enzymes signal liver injury and can result from HIV treatment, viral hepatitis, or alcohol abuse.
A previously unrecognized function of myeloperoxidase has been identified, affecting vasculature through a pathway independent of chlorine bleach production. This discovery may lead to the development of new drugs to treat inflammatory vascular diseases and conditions like septic shock.
Researchers have discovered zebrafish produce enzymes similar to human COX enzymes, which could lead to new treatments for cardiovascular disease and cancer. The study also shows that drugs targeting COX-2 behave similarly in zebrafish as in humans.
Researchers at UC Riverside discovered a molecular switch called Rop that assists plant survival in low-oxygen conditions, such as flooding. The enzyme ADH is produced through a rheostat-like mechanism, which is controlled by the Rop switch.
Scientists have solved the long-standing riddle of how nitroglycerin works by discovering an enzyme called mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (mALDH) that breaks down the drug. The team found that mALDH causes nitric oxide to be released from nitroglycerin, leading to tolerance in patients.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered a link between an enzyme called MSP and multiple sclerosis tissue damage, which could lead to new treatment options. The study found that excess MSP promotes demyelination, but also contributes to proper oligodendroglia function when functioning normally.
Researchers discovered PRDX3, a key powerhouse enzyme, plays a crucial role in controlling tumor growth. By manipulating PRDX3 activation, tumors can be halted or accelerated. Understanding this pathway could lead to new cancer treatments.
Researchers have found that MMP enzymes recruit circulating inflammatory cells to form atherosclerotic plaques, which can lead to acute cardiovascular events. The study also reveals the complex roles of MMP enzymes in remodeling the extracellular matrix, suggesting new therapeutic strategies to limit plaque growth.
Researchers have discovered a novel sugar digestion pathway in Pyrococcus furiosus, utilizing non-related enzymes. The organism's unique ability to withstand high temperatures makes its enzymes industrially valuable.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have discovered an enzyme that can halt muscle wasting in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study found that adding supplemental amounts of CT GalNAc transferase to skeletal muscles inhibited muscle destruction.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified a new enzyme required for silencing certain genes, which can lead to cancer. The discovery could lead to new cancer therapies by targeting the enzyme's activity.
Researchers Kun Yan Zhu and Jian-Rong Gao found that greenbugs with resistance develop a higher rate of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, requiring more insecticide to kill. This breakthrough may lead to better pest control methods by monitoring resistance in individual fields.
A study by UC Berkeley's Bruce N. Ames found that megavitamin therapies can effectively treat over 50 genetic diseases, mostly rare metabolic disorders due to defective enzymes. High-dose vitamins, particularly B vitamins like niacin and thiamine, may also improve metabolism in older populations.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal study found that reference-based pricing in British Columbia led to a significant reduction in the number of patients prescribed certain ACE inhibitors. The experiment aimed to reduce healthcare costs by tying medication prices to patient need, but its effectiveness remains unclear.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that removing copper had no effect on the pace of disease in mice with familial ALS-like paralysis. The study used CCS chaperone-deficient mice to rule out copper's role in the disease, suggesting alternative pathways may be responsible for the mutant enzyme's effects on motor neurons.
Researchers visualized the enzyme formate dehydrogenase-N to a resolution of 1.6 angstroms, providing valuable insight into nitrate respiration and the molecular machinery of life. The discovery supports Peter Mitchell's 'chemiosmotic' theory, which describes how cells convert energy into usable form.
A new study from the University of Michigan reveals how a duplicated gene in leaf-eating monkeys has evolved to improve digestion efficiency. The researchers found that the duplicated gene allows the monkeys to better cope with an acidic environment, suggesting a key adaptation to their unusual diet.
Researchers at Dartmouth have discovered a mutant strain of the T. gondi parasite that can provide protection against the normal parasite, while also being harmless to infected individuals. The mutant strain was created by inactivating a key enzyme in its biochemical pathway, rendering it unable to cause disease.
Researchers at UC Berkeley report that a combination of two dietary supplements, acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid, improved the health and cognitive function of old rats. The supplements were found to boost energy-producing organelles in cells, restore memory function, and reduce oxidative damage.
A new enzyme called Set2 has been discovered, which regulates gene expression by methylating histone protein H3. This process can help turn genes off, potentially offering a new approach to treating human diseases such as cancer.
Researchers found sulforaphane's phase 2 enzymes protect cells against oxidants for up to three days, preventing damage from cancer, retinal degeneration, and other conditions. Eating large quantities of vegetables, especially cruciferous ones, helps fight disease by increasing antioxidant defenses.
Researchers will study the functions of beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase gene families in Arabidopsis, a small but useful model for understanding genetic processes. The goal is to determine the functions of approximately 25,000 genes, which can be extrapolated to other plants like wheat and soybeans.
Researchers developed a superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme mimetic that significantly reduced inflammation and tissue damage in an animal model of colitis. The SOD mimetic M40403 also reduced elevated cytokine levels and diarrhea, marking promising results for potential clinical candidates.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have developed a novel approach to combating antibiotic-resistant infections by using a natural enzyme derived from tiny viruses that live inside bacteria. This enzyme can target and kill disease bacteria on the surface of cells, providing an alternative method for combating resistant pathogens.
Research suggests that a single enzyme, 11beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11 beta HSD-1), is involved in the accumulation of visceral fat and metabolic symptoms. Increasing this enzyme's activity in fat cells leads to obesity, diabetes, and other diseases.
Researchers identify Mus81, a resolvase enzyme in fission yeast, as a crucial component of genetic recombination. The discovery has potential implications for cancer therapy, as the enzyme plays a role in cell replication and DNA repair.
Researchers discovered two plant-derived chemicals that reduce damage from simulated strokes in cultured mouse brain cells. These PARG inhibitors could lead to a new class of stroke drugs, targeting the enzyme Poly-ADP-Ribose Glycohydrolase.
Scientists at Duke University have discovered a new enzyme that attaches aminoarabinose to the outer coat of gram-negative bacteria, reducing the ability of positively charged antibiotics to attach and kill them. This discovery offers a potential approach to overcoming antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at UGA have discovered an enzyme, GnT-V, that accelerates cancer invasion. Inhibiting this enzyme may slow cancer progression and even enable early detection through blood samples.
Researchers have discovered a potent anti-cavity agent in Brazilian honeybees' propolis, which cut the cavity rate in rats by about 60 percent. The team is now testing the substance on human volunteers to determine its efficacy as a potential preventative measure for cavities.
Researchers have found that an enzyme mimetic compound significantly improves the functioning of blood vessels and nerves in diabetic animal studies, reducing vascular abnormalities and nerve damage. The study suggests a potentially significant new approach for treating and preventing complications associated with diabetes.
Researchers have designed and synthesized highly potent inhibitor compounds that could lead to an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The new inhibitors are substantially smaller, comparable in size to HIV protease inhibitor drugs, and still potent.
Virginia Tech researchers are exploring a plant-based approach to produce a human enzyme for treating Type 2 diabetes. The project aims to create a transgenic plant that can cheaply produce D-chiro inositol, which is currently synthesized through expensive and painful processes.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have identified a gene in mice that causes an autoimmune disease similar to human systemic lupus erythematous. The study found abnormal N-glycans in the mice, leading to SLE-like symptoms and organ damage, offering new insights into understanding autoimmune disease.