Research on enzymes and the reactions they drive. Covers enzyme evolution, plastic-degrading enzymes, brain immune cells, and molecular imaging.
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.
A new study documents the effectiveness of recombinant enzyme treatments for mucopolysaccharidosis 1, a rare disorder that causes progressive developmental delays and death. The genetically engineered enzyme shows significant improvement in patients' ability to get around and their overall health.
Researchers have identified a flavin monooxygenase-like enzyme central to auxin biosynthesis in plants, revealing an important pathway for auxin synthesis. The discovery offers clues that may aid researchers studying similar enzymes in mammals.
Researchers found that germinated brown rice contains three times the amount of lysine and ten times the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid known to improve kidney function. Germination also activates dormant enzymes, increasing the nutritional value.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have identified a specific enzyme, beta-secretase, as crucial for forming the hallmark amyloid plaques of Alzheimer's disease. The study, which used mice models, suggests that targeting this enzyme could offer new therapeutic options for treating the condition.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory identified a DNA repair enzyme deficiency in the Norin 1 strain of rice, making it more susceptible to UV damage. The team suggests that breeding or introducing genes from non-UV-sensitive strains could improve the enzyme's ability to bind and fix damaged sites.
HHMI researchers have found a way to shut down the inflammatory response in cells that spares related mechanisms needed for proper function. The treatment relieves inflammation in mice with surprising effectiveness by targeting NF-kB.
A new process for making beta-lactam compounds could facilitate the creation of new antibacterial drugs, overcoming cost and chirality challenges. The process uses quinine as a catalyst to produce large batches of beta-lactams with desirable properties.
Researchers at MetaPhore Pharmaceuticals developed a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs that simulate superoxide dismutase, combating inflammation and degradation in medical implants. The treatment resulted in a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect, including reduced acute and chronic inflammation.
Researchers discovered a new enzyme that moves along DNA, separating its sides, and has a unique gait dubbed the 'quantum inchworm'. This finding may aid in building nanomachines for gene delivery and cancer treatment.
Researchers used X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of COX-2 with arachidonic acid bound, gaining insights into its interaction with inhibitors. The study's findings may help guide future drug development for pain, inflammation, and cancer treatment.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have discovered exactly how beta-lactamase deactivates penicillin, a crucial step in understanding the mechanism of resistance. This breakthrough could lead to improved antibiotic design and help combat hospital-acquired infections caused by resistant bacteria.
A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory has determined the atomic structure of cytochrome P450cam, an enzyme that performs several important chemical jobs in the body. The research could lead to new cancer therapies, pollution cleanup, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.
UC San Diego bioengineers discover that blocking powerful pancreatic digestive enzymes in the intestine can prevent shock and multiple organ failure in experimental animals. This breakthrough provides clues into cellular mechanisms leading to shock and may lead to therapies to prevent and treat ischemic shock.
Investigations reveal that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in communication between disc cells and macrophages, facilitating resorption. The discovery may lead to injectable therapies that encourage natural macrophage activity, offering a non-surgical alternative for herniated discs.
A study found that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is critical to embryonic development, increasing the risk of prenatal and postnatal death. The deficiency also increases the incidence of birth defects in fetuses exposed to oxidative stress.
Researchers in Taiwan discovered a rare individual with two copies of the genetic mutation that protects against alcoholism. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that individuals with this mutation are immune to developing alcohol disorders.
Deep-sea animals have higher concentrations of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), a compound that helps proteins withstand high pressures and misfolded proteins. TMAO's protective power extends beyond sea creatures to humans, with potential applications in cystic fibrosis treatment.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a new neurotransmitter, D-serine, which activates key nerve cells in the brain. This discovery could lead to the development of new stroke treatments by inhibiting NMDA receptor activity.
The matrilysin enzyme plays a key role in activating defensins to combat bacterial infections in the intestine. The researchers found that matrilysin is essential for regulating antimicrobial activity and protecting the epithelial lining from bacterial invasion.
Scientists at Emory University discovered a new family of enzymes linked to abnormal cell growth in cancer and cardiovascular disease. The Mox1 enzyme converts oxygen into reactive oxygen molecules that instruct cells to divide more rapidly.
Researchers have successfully reversed damage caused by Pompe disease, a rare inherited muscle-wasting disorder, in laboratory mice using a modified virus to deliver a therapeutic gene. The study's findings show promise for treating dozens of forms of muscular dystrophy and may lead to a continuous supply of enzyme production.
A genetic trait has been found to predispose people to Gulf War syndrome, a condition where veterans of the war may have gotten ill from chemical exposures. The study reveals that people with high levels of a specific enzyme did not get sick, while those with low levels did.
Researchers have pinpointed an enzyme that controls the shape of a developing organ in the roundworm C. elegans, opening up new avenues for understanding organ development and potentially cancer research. The discovery reveals that two activities work together to define the shape of an organ.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have developed a computer model that provides atomic details of the binding interactions between damaged DNA and the repair enzyme DNA photolyase. The model provides new insights into which parts of the enzyme are important for electron transfer, which could lead to the development of an arti...
A study by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that interferon alfa 2b significantly depresses the activity of internal enzymes breaking down narcotics and antidepressants. This may lead to overdose in cancer patients receiving these medications with IFNa2b.
A recent study has uncovered the role of a gene in regulating vitamin D levels, shedding light on the causes of rare forms of rickets. The research suggests that production of active vitamin D hormone by the kidneys is essential for normal bone health and growth in children, particularly those with kidney failure or aging.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that folic acid effectively lowers homocysteine levels in blood plasma, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The study found that folic acid supplementation can also benefit people with normal MTHFR enzymes by protecting them against heat-induced enzyme inactivation.
A diet rich in phytosterols reduces testosterone levels and activity of enzymes that metabolize testosterone into more active forms. The study suggests a potential link between plant-based fats and lower rates of hormone-dependent cancers.
The study reveals the first detailed structure of a protein involved in regulating the body's day/night rhythms, shedding light on how melatonin is produced in response to darkness. The breakthrough may pave the way for the development of new drugs to fight jet lag and serotonin-related diseases like depression.
Researchers found a genetic variation that increases collagenase production, potentially facilitating cancer invasion and spread. This discovery offers clues to molecular switches controlling cancer progression and provides tools for detection and treatment.
Maxygen's DNA shuffling technique has created ultra-efficient proteins and supergenes, including a potent interferon that is 285,000 times more effective than natural versions. The company has also developed superior enzymes with potential applications in industrial processes.
The Carnegie/Brookhaven team successfully directed interconversions of enzymes that modify plant fatty acids, revealing the chemical mechanisms responsible for their diversity. They achieved this through making as few as six amino acid changes, paving the way for the creation of novel synthetic enzymes.
Researchers propose that an inactive enzyme may contribute to memory impairment in Alzheimer's patients. A transgenic mouse study found impaired memory in animals lacking the enzyme MMP-9, supporting the idea that its inactivity plays a role in the disease.
Researchers discover shared structure among 150 enzymes, promoting transfer of acetyl group and affecting antibiotics and neurotransmitters. The discovery provides a potential solution to emerging antibiotic resistance and sheds light on the fundamental structures of proteins.
Researchers discovered that cooling papers to 10 degrees Celsius reduces decomposition rates by six-fold, making it an effective method for preserving documents. This technique could extend the shelf life of valuable books and papers by hundreds of years, potentially saving them from degradation.