Articles tagged with Enzymes
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.
A study has found that methylotrophic bacteria and methanogenic archaea share common central carbon metabolism pathways involving C1 transfer reactions. These findings have implications for understanding the evolutionary history of these pathways in all organisms.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a special type of packaging that reduces the bitterness in grapefruit juice. The new packaging system uses an enzyme called naringinase to neutralize the bitter compounds found in fresh citrus fruit, resulting in a sweeter taste.
Nitrate reductase is an efficient enzyme essential for plants to acquire nitrate. Researchers aim to create a 3-D model of the enzyme to understand its structure and function. The study seeks to overcome production limitations and unlock the enzyme's full potential.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a groundbreaking treatment for Pompe disease, a rare genetic muscle-wasting disorder. The injectable enzyme therapy has shown promise in improving muscle strength and reducing glycogen buildup in muscles, offering new hope for children born with the fatal condition.
Nancy Roseman, assistant professor of biology at Williams College, has been awarded a $266,191 NSF grant to study the biochemistry of dUTPase, an enzyme involved in DNA metabolism. Her research uses the vaccinia virus as a model to understand viral/host interactions and DNA replication.
Researchers create first commercially available catalytic antibody, which can catalyze aldol reactions with broad substrate range. This breakthrough addresses long-standing question of protein-catalyst efficiency.
Research by Matthew Hardy and colleagues found that stress hormones overpower the enzymes responsible for producing testosterone in testes, leading to a suppression of sperm formation. The study provides insight into male reproduction and may aid the design of new male contraceptives.
A recent study suggests that a human gene variation affecting lung enzyme production may be associated with reduced susceptibility to lung cancer. The study found that approximately 8% of the population has the 'protective' gene form, which reduces by about 54% the risk of developing lung cancer among smokers.
Researchers isolated two substances in grapefruit, furanocoumarins, that increase drug absorption by inhibiting an enzyme called CYP3A4. This discovery could lead to improved oral medications and increased reliability of drugs.
Researchers studied how garlic works at the molecular level, finding allicin disables dysentery-causing amoebas by blocking enzymes. This discovery supports garlic as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial drug with potential implications for fighting bacterial resistance and preventing heart disease.
Scientists found that mice lacking the macrophage elastase enzyme showed no signs of emphysema after heavy smoking. This discovery challenges previous theories and offers new hope for emphysema treatment. Researchers are now exploring metalloproteinase inhibitors to prevent the disease.
A new study by Ohio University researchers found that three commonly prescribed antihypertension drugs can enhance a protection mechanism against oxidative stress, which can cause cell damage. The drugs stimulated the production of antioxidant enzymes in most cases, but inhibited it in others.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered an enzyme in Porphyromonas gingivalis that activates blood-clotting in humans, potentially linking periodontal infections to heart disease. The study suggests a mechanism for this connection and may lead to a vaccine to neutralize the enzyme.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a novel Nuclear Magnetic Resonance approach to tag and label the connection point of fat chains, allowing for the monitoring of enzyme effects on individual chains. This breakthrough enables industrial chemists to better understand and control the quality and performance of fats.
The University of Washington School of Pharmacy has developed a systematic approach to understanding drug interactions by focusing on the four or five enzymes that metabolize most drugs. This research is producing an understanding of the potential for adverse effects among thousands of drug combinations.
Researchers found that genetic variations in enzymes metabolizing drugs contribute to cancer risk, particularly head and neck cancer. Individuals with certain enzyme genotypes or histories of environmental exposures are at increased risk for cancer.
Researchers described the crystal structure of aldehyde dehydrogenase, a vital enzyme involved in animal and plant health. The study provides insights into how the enzyme metabolizes aldehydes, which are highly reactive compounds that can poison cells and trigger cancers.
Researchers successfully used a harmless virus to deliver a normal gene into muscle cells in animals and humans, producing the enzyme for at least three months. This breakthrough could lead to a single treatment for children with Pompe's disease, an inherited fatal heart condition.
A recent Cleveland Clinic study found a three-fold increase in gelatinase activity among patients with brain aneurysms, weakening the structural proteins in brain arteries. This discovery could lead to the development of a predictive test and preventive therapy for aneurysm formation.
Researchers find Candida wickerhamii yeast neutralizes pollutant in sauerkraut brine, producing Beta-glucosidase enzyme to extract natural flavors from fruit pomace. The technology can add value to foods and beverages by adding specific fruit flavors, such as natural grape flavoring.
A team of researchers from the University of Georgia has discovered that plant cells can substitute one sugar for another in their cell walls, a process previously thought to be essential for survival. This finding suggests that oligosaccharins play a role in regulating cell wall growth and development.