A recent study published in Cancer Research identified a unique vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers that can be exploited for targeted therapy. Researchers found that cancer cells with alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) have a common weakness, leading to resistance to DNA-damaging agents and chemotherapy.
Scientists discovered a 'Goldilocks zone' for enzyme docking interactions, where the binding strength is 'just right', maximizing catalytic efficiency. By simulating system interactions, researchers developed an equation predicting optimal docking strength for various enzymes.
Researchers from the US and Japan have discovered the mechanism of GTP recognition by a tumor-promoting kinase, leading to the evolution of a GTP sensor kinase. This finding could lead to the development of a new cancer-treating drug that targets PI5P4Kβ using GTP instead of ATP.
Researchers at TTUHSC will investigate common mechanisms of resistance and sensitivity in alternate telomere lengthening (ALT) cancers, with a focus on targeting ATM kinase inhibitors for therapy. The team aims to develop clinical trials for patients with ALT+ cancers.
The newly developed KANPHOS database provides comprehensive information on kinase-associated protein phosphorylation, facilitating research into neural signaling pathways. The database contains information on phosphoproteins, phosphorylation sites, and participant kinases, allowing for searches based on various parameters.
Researchers have solved the full-length structure of a crucial signaling protein in cells, known as a Janus kinase. The breakthrough could lead to new and better drugs against certain cancers, allowing healthy versions of the proteins to keep performing their normal duties.
Researchers found that combining an Aurora Kinase A inhibitor with a KRAS inhibitor or WEE1 inhibitor showed efficacy against lung cancer cells resistant to KRAS inhibition. The study suggests that Aurora Kinase A activation contributes to intrinsic and acquired resistance to sotorasib in KRAS-mutated lung cancer cells.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have discovered that the enzyme SLK plays a vital role in maintaining inhibitory synapses, which help regulate neuronal excitability. Without SLK, neurons become increasingly excitable and less responsive to inhibitory signals, potentially leading to increased seizure frequency.
Researchers used evolutionary 'time travel' to study an ancient enzyme from archaea, finding a universal NTP binding motif that could be used for novel enzyme design. The study also revealed how the human version of the enzyme evolved over time.
Researchers have identified a new potential treatment for neuroblastoma by targeting the ALT mechanism, which is responsible for chemotherapy resistance. The study found that activating ATM kinase at telomeres promotes chemotherapy resistance in ALT neuroblastoma and suggests a cancer-specific approach to treating this disease.
Researchers have identified the structure and functions of RON13, a kinase essential for the invasive mechanism of Toxoplasma gondii in humans. The parasite's ability to infect cells is hindered without RON13, providing a potential target for new therapies.
Researchers clarify the role of SMN complexes in splicing and Cajal body formation, which is crucial for protein translation. The study reveals kinases play a key role in regulating these processes, potentially leading to new therapies for spinal muscular atrophy.
LanCL proteins play a vital role in regulating kinases in eukaryotic cells. Their absence leads to the accumulation of activated kinases, causing cell death in mice. The study suggests a new mechanism for controlling abnormal kinases and their potential link to cancer.
Researchers at Sloan Kettering Institute found a new link between Warburg metabolism and PI3 kinase activity, challenging the long-held view that metabolism is secondary to cell signaling. The study suggests targeting metabolism could be an effective way to curb cancer growth.
A multi-university team identified a family of enzymes called GCK-IV kinases that inhibit robustly neuroprotective while allowing axon regeneration. This finding suggests strong therapeutic possibilities for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma and Alzheimer's.
A comprehensive map of approximately 200 kinases has been created to assist researchers in designing molecules that target specific kinases for destruction. This could lead to more effective cancer therapies by targeting kinases that play a key role in tumor cell proliferation.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown way that pancreatic cells decide how much insulin to secrete, pointing to an overlooked enzyme known as pyruvate kinase. Stimulating pyruvate kinase not only increases the secretion of insulin but also has other metabolically protective effects in the liver, muscle and red blood cells.
PIM kinases promote metastatic growth by regulating actin fibre formation in the cytoskeleton, supporting PIM-targeted therapies to prevent metastasis. The study provides critical information on factors regulating cancer cell motility, essential for preventing cancer spread.
Scientists have identified an enzyme called TBK1 that can play a central role in treating Huntington's Disease. The enzyme regulates the degradation and clearance of the huntingtin protein, introducing chemical modifications that block its aggregation.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a new nanosensor, SNACS, to monitor SnRK2 protein kinase activity in live plant cells. This allows for the study of drought tolerance mechanisms in unprecedented detail, providing insights into how plants respond to environmental stress.
A molecule found in oranges, called nobiletin, has been shown to drastically reduce obesity in mice by reducing insulin resistance and blood fats. Researchers are now exploring its potential as a treatment for human obesity and related diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
The study analyzes mechanisms regulating carcinogenesis and tumor progression, opening new perspectives in the fight against human cancer. HERC1 ligase is found to regulate the activation of ERK and p38 kinase through ubiquitination.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to describe the behavior of cellular enzymes, particularly those involved in multisite phosphorylation reactions. The study revealed that certain mutations affect the activation of key enzymes, including MEK and ERK, which can lead to cancer. This knowledge can help develop new therapeutic str...
A new study published in Communications Biology has identified the exact sites where Aurora kinase phosphorylates dynamin, a protein involved in mitochondrial division. The research suggests that the process of mitochondrial replication is similar in different eukaryotic organisms, including humans.
Scientists at Salk Institute discovered that metformin activates multiple biochemical switches, including Protein Kinase D and MAPKAPK2, which may explain its health-span-extending effects. The study identified new targets and cellular processes regulated by AMPK, shedding light on the therapeutic benefits of metformin.
Researchers at MIT have engineered signaling proteins that can interact with specific partners without interfering with cells' existing pathways. This allows for the creation of artificial circuits for applications such as disease diagnosis and cancer treatment.
A University of Turku team has found that PIM kinases regulate the sense of smell in nematodes. The enzymes, previously linked to cancer cell motility and survival, also influenced olfactory neurons' ability to detect attractants or repellents.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have identified a chemical that can improve communication between the body's smallest blood vessels and larger vessels, which is crucial for delivering oxygen to the heart muscle. By blocking an enzyme that inhibits this chemical, they found that it can reduce diastolic heart failure symptoms.
Researchers have discovered that two enzymes, SIK1 and SIK3, play a critical role in driving tumor growth in non-small-cell lung cancer by promoting inflammation. The findings highlight a potential new target for therapies and could lead to improved treatment options for patients with this deadly form of lung cancer.
Researchers found that Cdk5 kinase hyperfunction alters the signalling pathway of DARPP-32/β-adducin in the nucleus accumbens brain region, leading to depressive-like behavior in Huntington's disease models. The study suggests new molecular pathways for treating depression in people with Huntington's.
Researchers used neutron crystallography to map the structure and catalytic mechanism of protein kinase A, revealing previously unknown characteristics and enabling enhanced understanding of cellular processes. The discovery paves the way for more precise therapeutics with fewer side effects.
Researchers identified a scaffolding protein POLAR that regulates GSK3-like kinase activity, driving asymmetric cell division and promoting stomatal formation. The study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of plant development, suggesting potential targets for crop improvement.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have developed novel antibacterial compounds targeting LsrK kinase, a key player in bacterial quorum sensing. The identified LsrK inhibitors have shown micromolar activity and will be further optimized to improve understanding of inhibition of LsrK in the AI-2 pathway.
Researchers identified six protein kinases that predict the evolution of triple negative breast cancer, allowing for new pharmacological targets and potential treatment combinations. The study's findings indicate a high cure rate (95%) for patients with no activated proteins, but increased relapse risk if one or more are active.
Researchers find two opposing kinases regulating circadian clock, one stabilizing key protein PER2 and the other promoting its degradation. This discovery provides new targets for treating circadian disorders.
Researchers found that PIM-2 kinase negatively regulates T cell responses, while PIM-1 and PIM-3 positively regulate them. Inhibiting PIM-2 accelerated graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic bone marrow transplant, but also produced robust tumor immunity.
Duke researchers have identified a key fork in the road for the way the liver deals with carbohydrates, fats, and protein. By targeting BCAA breakdown, they found that activating this process reduces fat deposition in the liver and improves glucose regulation. This approach offers a promising new target for combating fatty liver disease.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a single molecule, EphB2, that makes the yes-or-no decision to form stable connections between brain cells. The molecule repels unproductive contacts and connects where appropriate based on signal strength.
Researchers have determined the high-resolution structure of R2TP, a complex involved in key processes for cell survival. The study reveals that R2TP forms complexes with mTOR and other related kinases by interacting with HSP90.
Researchers at MLU describe how proteins change structure in response to kinases, enabling cell cycle progression and inhibiting blocked kinases. This mechanism is thought to be the basis of many cellular signal pathways.
Researchers developed an enzymatic cycling method using pyruvate kinase to quantify pyruvate and phosphoenolpyruvate. The method uses the reversibility of the reaction in the presence of ATP and IDP, with a limit of detection estimated at 12 nM PEP.
Researchers created the first network map for 200 plant sensing proteins, revealing unknown interactions and key proteins that act as master nodes. The map could lead to ways to increase plant resistance to pathogens, heat, drought, salinity, or cold shock.
A team of cancer researchers has made a significant contribution to our understanding of cancer cell regulation, which could lead to improved cancer treatments. The study focuses on kinases, proteins that influence cancer cell growth and development, and identifies new strategies for killing cancer cells.
Researchers have imaged ATR kinase protein at unprecedented resolution using electron microscopy, revealing regulatory sites poised to activate in response to DNA damage. The high-resolution structural information may aid in developing new therapeutics for cancer treatments and improving cellular health.
A new study has identified a promising treatment to reduce brain injury in newborns who have suffered from hypoxia-ischemia, a condition that can cause severe complications. The treatment involves combining standard cooling therapy with a selective Src kinase inhibitor to block a regulatory enzyme of apoptosis.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has developed a potent group of kinase inhibitors, known as the Kinase Chemogenomic Set, which will allow researchers to explore the human kinome in greater depth. The set consists of over 500 compounds and is available for free use by the scientific community.
Scientists at the University of Konstanz and Umea University have successfully generated a structural model of the adenylate kinase enzyme in its closed state. This breakthrough allows researchers to analyze the precise moment when the enzyme is biochemically active, shedding light on its biochemical mechanisms.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered how specific bacterial enzymes, known as kinases, confer resistance to macrolide antibiotics. The study provides a detailed atomic view of the kinases and their interaction with different macrolide antibiotics, paving the way for the design of next-generation antibiotics.
A study published in PNAS reveals details about Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), a signaling protein controlling cellular behavior. The research found unexpected parts of ASK1's structure that help control its activity, shedding new light on disease processes such as Parkinson's and melanoma.
Scientists at NUS Cancer Science Institute discovered that phosphorylation of the tumour suppressor gene RUNX3 promotes cancer progression by allowing cell division. The study's findings suggest a potential way to increase the effectiveness of cancer therapy by targeting Aurora Kinase, an enzyme involved in the modification.
A team of researchers has identified an enzyme called Aurora kinase that plays a key role in the regeneration process of single-celled organisms like Stentor. By inhibiting this enzyme, they were able to speed up the healing process without any negative side effects.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a previously unrecognized enzyme, MLCK4, that could optimize contraction and prevent heart failure. The study provides the first three-dimensional structure for any member of the MLCK family and sheds light on the optimal phosphorylation level for normal heart function.
Research suggests that salt-inducible kinases may have therapeutic potential for autoimmune diseases. By inhibiting these enzymes, scientists were able to limit the production of inflammatory molecules by certain types of human immune cells, increasing levels of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and reducing proinflammatory cytokines.
Researchers developed a genetically encoded chemical 'block' that can be removed from kinases, enabling the investigation of their activity in both lab dishes and whole animals. This breakthrough allows for a better understanding of kinase roles in disease processes.
The study reveals a new activation mechanism for protein kinase G I (PKG I), which may prevent unnecessary inhibition and enhance its activity. This discovery could lead to the design of drugs that target PKG I, providing new therapeutic options for diseases associated with PKG I dysfunction.
The 2016 ASBMB meeting featured scientific symposia on various topics including bioinorganic catalysis, cell signaling, chemical biology, chromatin organization, DNA replication, education, and glycoscience. Key researchers like Aziz Sancar will present their work on DNA repair and precision medicine.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified diacylglycerol kinase alpha as a potential therapeutic target for X-linked lymphoproliferative disease. Inhibition of this enzyme restored sensitivity to cell death in X-linked lymphoproliferative T cells and curtailed T cell expansion in virus-infected mice.
Researchers have successfully mapped the structural map of a tiny cellular nanomachine called diacylglycerol kinase, which plays a critical role in bacterial cell wall synthesis. The nanomachine's evolution is an extraordinary feat of nature, and its molecular blueprint has shed new light on how it performs its cellular duties.
Bacteria sense their environment and change direction using a molecular machinery that relies on protein interactions and chemical signals. The new study reveals key insights into the chemosensory array, shedding light on how bacteria make decisions.
Researchers discovered a molecular switch that balances the activity of two key proteins in the circadian clock, PER2 and CK1. This finding provides insights into familial advanced sleep phase disorder (FASP) and may lead to new treatment strategies using drugs that inhibit these proteins.