Pennington Biomedical researchers propose a new understanding of how protein restriction promotes healthy aging and extends lifespan by triggering a coordinated whole-body response. The response connects cellular nutrient sensing with hormones, brain function, and changes throughout the body, influencing healthy aging and longevity.
Researchers created a predictive model called enzyme-gated network expansion to understand the earliest stages of enzyme evolution. The model predicts that α/β folds were predominant in early enzymes, driving metabolic reactions.
Research explores role of short-chain fatty acids in regulating dendritic cell development and differentiation via epigenetic regulation. Study reveals butyrate increases expression of surface molecules, influencing immune-cell trafficking and localization.
Researchers discovered that supergiant deep-sea isopods have a dual survival strategy to cope with nutrient-poor conditions: an enlarged stomach for storing food and extremely low basal metabolic rate. This allows them to thrive in extreme environments.
A recent study published in Cell Reports identified a key pathway through which the hormone FGF21 influences eating behavior and energy balance. The findings highlight the importance of nutrition in brain function and suggest that FGF21-based therapies could be optimized to target specific brain circuits.
A study identified exosomal microRNA-122-3p as a key driver of MASLD pathogenesis. Elevated miR-122-3p levels induced triglyceride accumulation and reactive oxygen species production in liver cells.
A team of researchers, led by Bistra Iordanova and Liang Zhan, are developing multiscale models of brain metabolism to predict cognitive decline and dementia. They will analyze data from brain imaging, blood flow, and neural activity to identify metabolic changes that affect brain function in aging.
Researchers created an automated method to quickly analyze the metabolic effects of natural products, such as kratom, using high-resolution mass spectrometry and molecular network mapping. This breakthrough provides a detailed view of how chemicals are reshaped by human metabolism, marking a major step in natural products research.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have devised a new approach to stimulate cell growth and repair in the intestine using CAR T-cell therapy. This therapy has shown promising results in improving gut health in both young and old mice, with significant reductions in inflammation and improved nutrient absorption.
A new study from UC San Francisco found that saturated fat affects the behavior of a protein called PER2, which orchestrates fat metabolism and circadian rhythms. Mice eating a diet high in hydrogenated fats struggled to adapt to winter, whereas those on unsaturated fat diets adjusted easily.
Researchers found that voluntary running exercise mitigates cafeteria diet-induced behavioral changes via hormonal and microbial pathways. The study revealed specific metabolites, such as anserine and indole-3-carboxylate, were decreased by the cafeteria diet but partially restored by exercise.
Researchers developed an AI tool called AAnet to characterize cancer cell diversity, identifying five distinct cell groups with different gene expression profiles. This could lead to more targeted therapies and improved patient outcomes.
Creatine has broad health benefits beyond athletic performance, including maintaining energy in stressed cells and preventing muscle loss with aging. Studies have shown no significant side effects from creatine supplementation, contradicting common misconceptions.
Researchers found that obesity causes a disruption in the liver's ability to adapt to starvation, specifically in the temporal coordination of molecules. This suggests that obesity makes the body more vulnerable to the negative effects of starvation, despite no significant structural disruptions in the molecular network.
Researchers are investigating the role of five-carbon metabolism in the human body, which could impact long-term health. Baccile's lab is developing functional derivatives of molecules involved in this pathway, aiming to discover their underlying purpose.
A Chinese Academy of Sciences research team has identified the first mechanism of citrus resistance to citrus greening disease and developed an AI-assisted therapeutic approach. The discovery addresses the challenge of naturally occurring resistant genes in citrus, offering hope for global agricultural sustainability.
Researchers investigate microbial reduction of vanadate to detoxify the environment. Electron transfer pathways, including extracellular and intracellular processes, are identified as crucial for vanadium detoxification. Vanadium isotope fractionation also follows a Rayleigh model, with lighter isotopes reacting preferentially.
A team of Chinese researchers identified a novel intercellular signaling mechanism between adipocytes and hepatocytes in endoplasmic reticulum stress response. The study reveals that ceramide, a fat molecule, plays a key role in activating the unfolded protein response pathway in hepatocytes.
Researchers found that changes in gut bacteria after a stroke lead to an increase in harmful substances and a decrease in beneficial ones, potentially causing inflammation. Restoring these beneficial substances from gut bacteria could help reduce inflammation after a stroke.
A USC study found proteins and pathways involved in inflammation are associated with changes in bone mineral density (BMD) over time. The research identified potential biomarkers that could serve as early indicators of a person's risk for bone health issues later in life.
Low-dose microplastic exposure leads to abnormal reproduction in females, characterized by oocyte meiotic maturation defect and H4K16 hyperacetylation. HDAC3 insufficiency is proposed as a key mechanism underlying this toxicity.
A group of nerve cells called POMC neurons are responsible for dessert cravings, releasing a feel-good opiate when mice eat sugar. This pathway is activated even before eating, and blocking it reduces sugar consumption in full animals.
Researchers mapped yerba mate's genome, discovering an ancestor that duplicated its genome 50 million years ago. This event led to the evolution of caffeine biosynthesis in yerba mate and coffee through convergent pathways. The study provides opportunities for creating plant varieties with new characteristics.
UVA researchers analyzed 300 blood serum samples from babies who died from SIDS and identified specific biological indicators linked to their deaths. The study found 35 predictors of SIDS, including ornithine and a lipid metabolite critical for brain and lung health.
Overexpressing hepatic SLC7A11 leads to glutamate and serine deficiency, promoting MASLD progression through ferroptosis. Serine supplementation rescues the disease phenotype.
A study published in Chinese Medical Journal explores the use of artificial intelligence to identify potential medications for treating glaucoma. Researchers used AI models to predict the effectiveness of small-molecule compounds targeting RIPK3, a key signaling molecule involved in programmed cell death.
A new review reveals how leptin resistance, a key feature of obesity, exacerbates metabolic syndrome by triggering pro-inflammatory pathways and mitochondrial dysfunction. The study identifies potential therapeutic targets for restoring leptin sensitivity and mitigating its metabolic effects.
A team of researchers has discovered a previously unknown metabolic pathway involving beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a key ketone body. This finding suggests that ketones have additional roles in the body's metabolic landscape, potentially influencing appetite suppression and weight regulation under ketosis conditions.
Scientists have identified over 23,000 genes known as auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) that viruses 'steal' from ocean microbes, affecting 37% of metabolic pathways. The research catalogues these genes, shedding light on the vital role of viruses in nutrient cycling and oxygen production.
A new study has identified novel strains of microbes that have adapted to use limited resources in cities, including those found in Hong Kong's subways and skin. These microbes can metabolize manufactured products, posing health risks if they are pathogenic.
A new study has definitively revealed the presence of an efficient waste-clearance system within the human brain, showing that cerebrospinal fluid flows through specific pathways to clear metabolic wastes generated by brain energy. Lifestyle measures and medications can maintain and enhance this system.
Scientists studying environmental bacteria have determined a protein's essential role in maintaining the germ's shape. Loss of the protein OpgH disrupts the bubble-like cell envelope, resulting in the cell's death. This finding could lead to new drug targets and advance the search for better antibiotics.
Researchers have developed a smart RNA capable of regulating gene expression in response to various signals, enabling the precise design of gene therapies and advanced personalized treatments for diseases.
A team from the University of Illinois has developed a modeling framework connecting enzyme activity related to photosynthesis to yield. This breakthrough model ties dynamic photosynthetic pathways directly to crop growth for the first time.
A novel genus, Candidatus Alkanivoras nitrosoreducens, is described as potentially performing nitrite-driven anaerobic ethane oxidation. The study reveals a prospective fumarate addition pathway for anaerobic ethane oxidation and a complete denitrification pathway for nitrite reduction.
A ketogenic diet has been shown to improve memory and healthspan in aging mice by activating a critical signaling pathway. The study found that the main ketone body produced during a ketogenic diet, BHB, plays a crucial role in activating this pathway.
Researchers at Harvard University discovered that giant deep-sea vent tubeworms possess two functional carbon fixation pathways, the Calvin-Benson–Bassham (CBB) and reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycles. These pathways are coordinated to enable symbionts to thrive in dynamic and harsh environments.
Researchers have discovered the detailed mechanism of sugar signaling in plants, which involves a protein called KIN10 that acts as a 'sensor kinase' controlling biochemical pathways. The study reveals how sugar levels affect plant growth and oil production, providing insights into potential engineering of proteins to increase oil prod...
A new study published in Nature Metabolism challenges the common perception that high lactate levels are bad for athletes. Lactate is found to be a normal product of metabolic activity, and it plays a crucial role in managing glucose levels after consuming carbohydrates.
Researchers found a genetic link between higher circulating levels of arachidonic acid and lower risk for bipolar disorder. The study suggests that altering arachidonic acid synthesis pathways may reduce bipolar disorder risk, particularly in those with compromised pathways.
Research has shown that dulaglutide, a diabetes drug, can reduce depressive-like behaviors in mice. The study identified four major pathways involved and linked markers of depression to lipid metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. This new perspective may facilitate the use of dulaglutide as a potential therapeutic strategy for depression.
Researchers discovered that consuming over 22% of daily calories from protein can lead to increased activation of immune cells contributing to atherosclerotic plaque formation. Leucine, an amino acid found in animal-derived foods, plays a disproportionate role in driving pathological pathways linked to atherosclerosis.
Research reveals that males born to obese mothers are more likely to be overweight at birth and develop metabolic complications in later life. The study suggests that male sex hormones play a crucial role in the development of the liver, which can lead to health issues if activated too strongly.
Scientists have successfully replicated QS-21, a potent vaccine adjuvant, in an alternative plant host for the first time. This breakthrough enables the production of this highly valued compound in a more sustainable manner.
Researchers created a network of 4.9 billion plausible chemical reactions using blockchain, shedding light on prebiotic molecules and primitive metabolism. The study also demonstrates how blockchain can be used to solve complex problems in science at a lower cost.
Researchers at the Max-Planck-Institute have developed a synthetic biochemical cycle that directly converts CO2 into Acetyl-CoA using three modules implemented in E.coli. The THETA cycle has shown promising results with improved acetyl-CoA yield through optimization and in vivo feasibility testing.
Chicken sperm can retain fertility and viability for up to three weeks after refrigeration, making it unsuitable for traditional cryopreservation methods. The study found that removing calcium ions impacts energy metabolism dynamics, inducing a physiological dormancy-like state in the sperm cells.
A team of Kyoto University researchers found that macrophages produce granulomas through a hyperactive metabolic pathway called the pentose phosphate pathway. Inhibition of this pathway showed therapeutic efficacy in reducing granuloma formation in vitro and in mouse tissue models.
Researchers analyzed leishmaniasis lesions on mouse skin to detect metabolic signaling pathways that differed from uninfected mice. They found pathways with pain-relief properties tied to the brain's endocannabinoid system, which is involved in a host of physiological processes, including the pain response.
Researchers found that 1,5-AF activated AMPK, leading to upregulation of the PGC-1α/BDNF pathway and alleviating aging-related decline in motor cognitive function. The study suggests that 1,5-AF can induce endogenous neurovascular protection, potentially preventing aging-associated brain diseases.
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that disrupted NAD(H) homeostasis is a key factor in tuberculosis pathogenesis. The researchers found that the glycolytic pathway can be selectively inhibited using an LDH enzyme with mostly LDHA subunits, which preferentially converts pyruvate to lactate and NADH to NAD+.
A recent study found that transient inflammatory pain causes persistent mitochondrial and metabolic disturbances in sensory neurons, leading to failure in pain resolution. Targeting the cellular redox balance prevents and treats chronic inflammatory pain in rodents.
Researchers found a total of 4,721 proteins altered with age in the murine ovary, including upregulated ECM proteins associated with fibrosis. Age-dependent changes also affect immune response pathways and unique immune cell populations.
A new study led by Richard Johnson, MD, suggests that fructose is the key driver of obesity, bringing together long-incompatible theories on dietary causes. Fructose lowers active energy in the body, triggering hunger and food intake, and fatty foods become the major source of calories driving weight gain.
A UCLA-led team has discovered the nerve supply that activates brown adipose tissue, a potential key to treating obesity. The study found nerve branches in all eight cadavers dissected, which may lead to using nerves to stimulate BAT activity for weight loss.
A genome-wide association study reveals 34 genes potentially involved in choosing a vegetarian diet, including those related to lipid metabolism and brain function. The findings suggest that genetics play a role in the ability to subsist on a vegetarian diet.
Researchers classify UGDH as a molecular indicator of tumor progression in multiple cancer types, describing its involvement in key canonical cancer signaling pathways. Methods to inhibit UGDH and its downstream products are also identified.
Researchers at Kyoto University discovered that liverwort Marchantia polymorpha uses gibberellin precursors to produce a signaling molecule aiding survival under shaded conditions. This metabolic pathway inheritance provides insight into the evolution of plant hormone responses.
Researchers analyzed purine alkaloid and catechin accumulation in Camellia ptilophylla populations, identifying different regulatory mechanisms for improving tea quality. The study uncovers insights into breeding low-caffeine or high GCG tea tree varieties to meet consumer demands.
Scientists have established the effectiveness of vaccines against leishmaniasis in animal studies, revealing specific molecular-level changes in host cells. The vaccines, created using mutated parasites, prompt distinct immune responses in hosts, offering new insights into their mechanisms and potential applications.