Articles tagged with Enzymes
Researchers have identified a key enzyme in muscle that contributes to cancer-induced muscle wasting. Targeting this enzyme, UBR2, may help preserve muscle mass and function in cancer patients. The study's findings offer new hope for the treatment of cancer cachexia, a complication affecting 60% of all cancer patients.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute successfully revived ancient enzymes, revealing a novel protein component that increased CO2 specificity in Rubisco. This discovery provides new insights into the evolution of modern photosynthesis and suggests adding new components may improve its efficiency.
The Rutgers team developed an analytical toolkit to measure protein-carbohydrate interactions with single-molecule precision. By adjusting the 'stickiness' of enzymes, they aim to enhance cellulose decomposition for biofuels production and improve healthcare targeting protein-based drugs.
Experiments in cell cultures and mice showed that blocking the function of NSUN2 triggers a powerful innate immune response, dramatically lowering viral replication and protecting lung tissue. This finding could help change the approach to developing antiviral medications.
Researchers discovered that catnip and pea aphid use different enzymes to produce nepetalactone, a complex sex pheromone. The biosynthetic pathways of these two organisms share identical intermediates, but employ distinct catalytic mechanisms.
The study found that microbial enzymes are essential for the digestion of pectin in leaf beetles, allowing them to access nutrient-rich plant cells. The researchers also discovered that leaf beetle species acquire these enzymes through horizontal gene transfer from other microbes.
Researchers have developed an RNA-based editing tool that targets individual cells, enabling precise modification of cell functions to manage diseases. The tool uses the ADAR enzyme to selectively add proteins of interest, offering endless potential applications across the animal kingdom.
Scientists have devised a simple method using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) directed evolution to improve enzyme engineering. This approach can help develop engineered enzymes that can break down plastic and toxic waste, reducing environmental harm.
Researchers at KAUST have identified thermophilic bacteria with potential to degrade oil contamination. The study reveals that certain bacteria can secrete surfactants and absorb emulsified petroleum into their cells for degradation via enzymatic activity.
A Newcastle University study has developed a machine learning tool that can predict the performance properties of land plant Rubisco proteins with high accuracy. This prediction will enable researchers to identify and engineer 'supercharged' Rubisco proteins that can increase atmospheric CO2 uptake and store in crops such as wheat.
Researchers at UMass Amherst discovered that the ClpX enzyme can play dual roles in cell health and respond to changing levels of cellular energy. This breakthrough changes the rules on how cells work, highlighting the importance of cellular energy control.
Researchers at UVA Health System have made a groundbreaking discovery that could boost platelet production on demand to alleviate blood shortages. The finding offers hope for patients with thrombocytopenia and those receiving cord-blood transplants.
The study revealed an alternative pathway for cysteine biosynthesis in animals, using enzymes similar to those found in fungi and bacteria. This challenges the previous assumption that corals rely on symbiotic relationships with algae for cysteine production.
A preclinical study suggests that spermidine can help alleviate the pathological features of NASH, a condition associated with cardiac and kidney disease. The compound improves mitochondrial function, reduces inflammation, and prevents scar tissue formation.
Researchers create mammalian cells that synthesize a noncanonical amino acid, which can be used to make therapeutic proteins. The discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for various diseases.
Researchers aim to improve and expand Enzymatic Construction Material (ECM), a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete that can repair cracks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grant will also support programs to inspire girls' interests in engineering and construction, addressing the industry's gender gap.
A study by Penn State researchers found that supplementing dairy cow feed with enzymes from Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger increased milk production and solid concentrations. The dual enzyme supplementation promoted microbial activity in the rumen, enhancing digestion of fibrous components.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a universal mechanism for lysosomal repair, known as the PITT pathway, which helps maintain cellular longevity. The study reveals that damaged lysosomes are quickly repaired through the PITT pathway, but defects in this process can contribute to age-related diseases such as Al...
Breast cancer recurrence and metastatic spread remain a significant challenge, with researchers identifying a metabolic signature that can predict patient outcomes. The signature could be used to develop new therapies targeting cancer metabolism.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a computer model to predict enzyme efficiency. This helps find efficient cell factories for producing biotech products like biofuels and medicines, and studies difficult diseases.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have developed a method to produce crocins, a key ingredient in saffron, using a common garden plant. This breakthrough could lead to sustainable and efficient production of these compounds for pharmaceuticals, food coloring, and flavor additives.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have identified a critical immunosuppressive pathway and developed an experimental inhibitor to protect T-cells from weakening. The CBL-B inhibitors show great potential in enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, making patients' T-cells more effective in killing cancer cells.
A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers suggests that certain anti-cancer drugs may target a key player in Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. The study found that mutations in a specific chromatin reader, SP140, are associated with an increased risk of immune diseases like Crohn's.
Researchers have identified three natural compounds that bind to a key enzyme in the coronavirus, potentially blocking its replication. Hydroxyethylphenol, hydroxybenzaldehyde, and methyldihydroxybenzoate showed reduced activity against the papain-like protease enzyme, with effects ranging from 50-70%.
Researchers created genetically edited mice to label and study secretome proteins, facilitating studies of inter-organ communication. The transgenic mice enable scientists to identify specific cell types and organs, providing a valuable resource for mapping and profiling the secretome.
Researchers found that astrocytes can transfer their mitochondria to damaged neurons after a brain hemorrhage, stimulating the production of an enzyme that neutralizes free radicals. This treatment showed improved neurological recovery in mice, but not if the mitochondria were without the protective enzyme Mn-SOD.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method to create a three-dimensional gel from spider silk proteins that can be designed to deliver functional proteins. The gel has the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine, enabling controlled drug release and tissue engineering applications.
Researchers developed a new enzyme that can degrade poly(ethylene) terephthalate (PET), a common plastic used in bottles. The enzyme, HotPETase, is thermostable and selectively breaks down PET, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste challenge.
The research team will analyze the remaining two enzymes necessary for riboflavin production and build a 'riboflavinator' in a test tube. This understanding could lead to improved methods for treating diseases and improving public health.
Researchers develop a new low-calorie sweetener that is as sweet as table sugar and feeds beneficial gut microbes. The mixture shows promise in improving gut health and has prebiotic effects on the human gut microbiome.
Researchers discovered that vitamin K acts as an antioxidant, inhibiting ferroptotic cell death and identifying FSP1 as the warfarin-insensitive enzyme responsible. This finding has implications for treating Alzheimer's disease and acute organ injuries.
Researchers uncovered the sophisticated mechanism of bacterial Tc toxin's action by utilizing cryo-EM and protein NMR 3D snapshots. The subunits assemble like a syringe, triggering the release of toxic enzymes that disturb cytoskeleton regulation, leading to paralysis.
Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind enzyme Polα-primase and protein CST's interaction at the ends of chromosomes. The findings reveal an unprecedented role for CST in facilitating Polα-primase activity, shedding light on telomere replication and cell division.
Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered a new set of chemical reactions that generate amino acids and orotic acids from common early earth molecules. This discovery sheds light on the origins of life on Earth and has potential applications in manufacturing processes.
Researchers at NTU Singapore and Cuprina have developed a new clinical-grade collagen made from discarded bullfrog skin, which is leapfrogging from the lab bench to clinics soon. This sustainable innovation aims to reduce waste and provide an affordable yet effective wound-care solution.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute and University of Freiburg have discovered an enzyme that can break down nitrous oxide into harmless nitrogen and water. This breakthrough could potentially combat one of the main contributors to climate change, which accounts for only 7% of greenhouse gases but has a much greater impact.
A rise in severe acute hepatitis of unknown causes (SAHUC) in children has been reported worldwide, with symptoms including jaundice, vomiting, and diarrhea. Diagnostic tests such as liver enzymes and biopsy reports can help identify the disease, but its etiology remains unclear.
A study found that pharmacogenomic testing can help providers avoid prescribing antidepressants with undesirable outcomes. The test, which analyzes genes related to drug metabolism, resulted in a significant improvement in depression symptoms compared to usual care.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology elucidate the complete biosynthetic pathway of strychnine, a highly toxic alkaloid used as rat poison. The study reveals that the conversion of prestrychnine to strychnine occurs spontaneously, without an enzyme.
A heat-loving bacterium's Cas13 protein enables specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in a one-pot assay. The technology has been patented and clinically validated, with the aim of mass production and commercialization.
Researchers discover G6PD's pivotal role in activating pentose phosphate pathway to counter oxidative stress, leading to increased cell death and tumor shrinkage. Ovarian cancer cells' reliance on fatty acid metabolism fuels oxidative compound production, which can be offset by G6PD inhibition.
Liu's three-year grant will pursue protein-derived cofactor studies to improve understanding of amino acids and their role in metabolism. The research aims to gain a quicker and more thorough understanding of amino acid function and purpose.
A new therapeutic target for melioidosis has been identified by researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology. The enzyme BurG synthesizes a toxic molecule central to infection, and inhibiting it could make bacteria less virulent.
Researchers discovered a bacterial enzyme that enabled the evolution of longhorned beetles to break down complex plant cell wall components. The study found that gene duplication played a key role in increasing the diversity and specificity of these enzymes.
A new study explores the characteristics of 36 basic variants of the Holliday junction, a fundamental building block used in DNA nanoforms. The results show that sequences forming the four protruding arms of the junction can enhance or hinder crystallization processes.
Researchers have discovered how sea cucumbers produce defensive chemicals using genome mining techniques. The animals' unique ability to biosynthesize toxins has been found to be linked to the diversion of a sterol-producing enzyme, resulting in the production of valuable medicinal compounds.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have found that a repurposed drug compound can inhibit the activity of SARS-CoV-2's main protease enzyme. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments and slow the spread of COVID-19, an RNA virus known for causing seasonal epidemics.
Researchers discuss Hepatitis D's life cycle and interactions with its host, exploring strategies for further research to combat this overlooked virus. HDV coinfects people with hepatitis B, rapidly progressing to liver cirrhosis and cancer if left untreated, with a review published in the Chinese Medical Journal.
A new processing technique could make potatoes healthier by slowing starch digestion and reducing blood sugar spikes. The approach blocks certain digestive enzymes from reaching potato starch as quickly, leading to a more controlled release of dietary glucose.
A team of scientists at Tokyo University of Science has successfully produced hydrogen peroxide using spent coffee grounds and tea leaf residue. The new method, which is simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, opens up new applications for unused biomass resources.
A recent study at UC San Francisco discovered that fragmented tau protein in diseased neurons could be a new target for existing drugs, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's. The researchers found that measuring the fragments in cerebrospinal fluid may help distinguish between different forms of dementia.
Researchers have discovered a membrane lipid called PI(18:1/18:1) that significantly involves in preventing programmed cell death. This finding opens up new therapeutic approaches for diseases such as diabetes, cancer and neurodegeneration.
A team of researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi has discovered a novel structural modification in AMP-activated protein kinase that could pave the way for more effective cancer treatments. The study found that a specific enzyme cleaves and traps the protein in the cell nucleus, rendering it resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Researchers at West Virginia University are studying the mechanisms behind Alzheimer's disease and PTSD, using animal models to investigate how stressful events affect brain cells. They aim to understand the role of estrogen and high-cholesterol diet in developing the disease.
Scientists found a connection between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the production of misfolded proteins called amyloids, which can cause complex symptoms and damage in organs such as the heart and kidneys. The researchers' discovery may help explain why COVID-19 often affects multiple parts of the body.
The study found that silencing cellulase enzymes increases the rate of infection but limits the pathogen's ability to spread, paving the way for new control methods. Fusarium oxysporum is a highly lethal fungus affecting over 100 crops, with its spores remaining in soil for up to 20 years.
Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have found that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) regulates heart stiffness by acting on titin protein. This discovery could lead to novel treatments for heart failure, a condition affecting millions worldwide.
Researchers found significantly higher levels of MMP-2 and MMP-8 in tracheal aspirate samples from COVID-19 patients, contributing to inflammation and tissue damage. The study's findings suggest a novel mechanism underlying severe lung complications and potential new therapeutic targets.
Researchers investigate how enzymes regulate metabolism, weight gain, and liver disease, revealing diet's significant role in obesity and altered lipid profiles. The study also shows that age affects metabolic processes, leading to weight gain, increased fat storage, and unhealthy liver changes.
Researchers have discovered that a human enzyme converts marine sponge chemicals into cell-killing compounds, which could lead to the development of new cancer and infection treatments. The findings identified an untapped toolbox of natural and synthetic compounds that can be converted by widespread enzymes into potentially useful drugs.