Articles tagged with Peptides
A study by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine has identified a peptide called humanin that improves insulin action and lowers blood glucose levels in diabetic rodents. Humanin also protects nerve cells from death associated with Alzheimer's and other brain diseases.
A team of researchers has identified a protein that breaks down an appetite-suppressing peptide, leading to reduced food intake in mice. Mice lacking the protein were leaner and less likely to become obese on high-fat diets.
A rapid and inexpensive drug-screening method developed by Whitehead Institute scientists uses baker's yeast to synthesize and screen molecules, cutting testing time to weeks. The technique targets protein-protein interactions found in cellular processes, offering new potential for treating diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers have developed computational tools to decode and rapidly determine whether natural compounds are new or patented. These advances will speed the discovery process, enabling scientists to characterize ring-shaped nonribosomal peptides and accelerate the timeline for bringing new therapies into clinical application.
Researchers create highly stable chemical compounds that can bind to proteins with high affinity and selectivity, replacing traditional antibodies used in medical diagnostic tests. The technique involves a stepwise approach using in situ click chemistry, allowing for the creation of complex molecules in a relatively simple process.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a wide range of antibodies in healthy people and Alzheimer's patients that target protein aggregates, including those found in plaques. These findings suggest that these antibodies may play a role in slowing or preventing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
A Scripps Research team has created a chemical system that assembles and disassembles itself without enzymes, mimicking DNA. The system uses peptides and nucleobases, potentially shedding light on the emergence of life on Earth.
Researchers have detected a peptide in cerebrospinal fluid that can indicate the onset of Alzheimer's disease, potentially allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment. This discovery raises new opportunities for combating the disease, which currently requires treatments to be started after significant brain damage has occurred.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and the Burnham Institute for Medical Research have created a nanoparticle that can detect and attack plaque in arteries, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The treatment shows promise for developing therapies to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
The NPs-NPR-B/pGC-cGMP signal pathway is up-regulated in diabetic rats, leading to potentiated relaxation and increased cGMP production in gastric smooth muscle. This suggests a potential role of the CNP-(NPR-B)-pGC-cGMP pathway in the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis.
Researchers have developed a four-in-one agent that can detect, target, and disable tumor cells while also making them visible through MRI and microscopic imaging. The agent uses siRNAs to suppress specific genes in cancer cells, providing a new approach to targeted gene suppression in cancer treatment.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism that affects the immune system's ability to respond to certain vaccine components. The study found that low-stability peptide:MHC class II complexes support initial T cell expansion, but competitive responses to immunodominant peptides stall the response.
A recent study has found that the Humanin peptide protects against neuronal cell death and regulates insulin metabolism, significantly improving glucose levels in diabetic rats. The discovery provides new insight into the role of the brain in glucose metabolism and suggests a potential therapeutic approach to diabetes.
A team of researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of California, San Diego, have resolved a long-standing debate about how Alzheimer's disease kills brain cells. They found that amyloid-beta peptides form pores in brain cell membranes, allowing calcium ions to enter and trigger cell death.
Researchers at Burnham Institute have developed a novel method to analyze the proteome of yeast, identifying 4,600 proteins. This breakthrough can lead to the discovery of new biomarkers for diseases and inform protein expression changes in response to stimuli.
A new combination of antimicrobial drugs and peptides has been developed to target MRSA, resulting in a 99.97% kill rate and 1000x increased effectiveness compared to existing treatments. This approach also prevents bacteria from producing toxins and is unlikely to lead to resistance.
A rodent study confirms that low to moderate levels of alcohol increase beta-endorphin release in the midbrain/Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) region, producing a general feeling of well-being. This supports a role of beta-endorphin in mediating some of the rewarding effects of alcohol.
Researchers develop anti-inflammatory therapy that blocks NF-kappa-B's movement into the nucleus, preventing excessive lung inflammation and damage. The treatment showed effectiveness in a mouse model of acute lung injury, offering hope for improved therapies for life-threatening pneumonia.
A Scripps Research team discovered peptides that inhibit viral production by 68-63% and reduce viral RNA levels by sevenfold. The findings offer a promising target for the development of anti-hepatitis C virus drugs.
Researchers achieve semisynthesis of homogeneous glycoproteins, a complex task in biomedical studies. They used a novel strategy to synthesize ribonuclease C, a glycosylated bovine pancreatic enzyme with a unique sugar component.
A recent study has identified Placental Growth Factor (PIGF) as a key player in the inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers found that PIGF stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-6, contributing to joint destruction.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University's Center for Translational Medicine successfully reversed heart damage in rats with heart failure using gene therapy. The treatment, which involves administering a peptide called βARKct, inhibited the activation of a kinase that contributes to heart failure deterioration.
A new study shows that aerobic exercise affects the release of two key appetite hormones, ghrelin and peptide YY, more effectively than non-aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise suppresses hunger by decreasing ghrelin levels and increasing peptide YY levels, leading to a greater suppression of hunger compared to weight lifting.
Researchers have discovered a peptide that converts the Bcl-2 protein from a cancer cell's friend to a foe, allowing it to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new cancer-fighting drugs targeting Bcl-2.
Researchers use advanced microscopy techniques to image the structure of peptidoglycan, a key component of bacterial cell walls. The study reveals that glycan strands wrap around the cell like a belt, allowing scientists to better understand how bacteria grow and respond to antibiotics.
Individuals carrying the APOE4 variant have a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease due to slower A-beta clearance from the brain. The study found that A-beta binding to apoE4 led to substantially slower clearing of A-beta, contributing to increased disease risk.
Biomolecules significantly enhance magnesium content in calcite, offering clues to ancient environments. The findings raise questions about the interplay of factors on metal contents in biominerals.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute identified a trigger point on a naturally occurring death protein that helps the body get rid of unwanted or diseased cells. The newly found trigger may be exploited as a target for designer drugs that force malignant cells to commit suicide.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have identified over 100 human protein fragments that can slow or stop the growth of cells making up new blood vessels. These compounds, known as antiangiogenesis peptides, could lead to treatments for diseases such as cancer, macular degeneration, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers investigated the relationship between Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP) and gastric motility. They found that DNP relaxes gastric antral circular smooth muscle via the cGMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase pathway, which may help regulate gastrointestinal function.
Researchers create thin films of helical peptides with high purity and stability using the soft-landing method. The technique allowed them to control the structure of the molecules, which is essential for developing new materials and understanding protein biology.
A team of researchers has developed a technique to examine tiny protein molecules called peptides on the surface of a gold nanoparticle, offering promise for designing and manufacturing novel materials at the nanoscale. This breakthrough allows for the creation of complex nanomachines and potentially new medical applications.
Researchers found that adding pressure early in their protocol dramatically speeds up proteomic analysis, reducing the time-consuming first step from four hours to just one minute. This breakthrough increases the number of samples that can be analyzed, with the pressure method generating about 10% more unique peptides.
Researchers identified two peptides, NORQ and Hcrt, as crucial regulators of stress-induced analgesia in mice. The peptides interact with each other to modulate pain perception, suggesting a potential link to medical conditions caused by excessive stress.
Researchers at Brandeis University have uncovered a molecular switch in the 'nature's blowtorch' enzyme cytochrome P450. The protein chain can change its structure through a 180-degree rotation, allowing for precise control over oxidation reactions.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a crucial step in cataract formation: the loss of function in a specific type of protein, leading to the formation of small peptides that accelerate cataract development.
Researchers found that increasing production of angiotensin-converting enzyme in macrophages enhances the immune system's ability to sense and respond to tumors. This discovery suggests a strategy for amplifying immune system function in humans, potentially enhancing cancer patients' ability to resist tumor growth.
Researchers at UC San Diego have created a method to determine the structure of nonribosomal peptides in just one day, compared to six months or a year previously. This breakthrough may aid in the development of new drugs inspired by natural compounds with antibiotic and antiviral properties.
A UC San Diego researcher has identified a new enzyme target that can reduce the production of beta-amyloid peptides, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. By inhibiting this enzyme, the researchers observed improved memory and reduced levels of beta-amyloid protein in mice bred to exhibit Alzheimer's disease symptoms.
Researchers at Stanford University have identified synthetic peptoids as a potential new class of antibiotics, which could overcome the limitations of natural peptides. These manmade molecules show promise in treating bacterial infections, including diabetic foot ulcers, with minimal harm to human cells.
Two University of Illinois studies show that fermenting soy reduces its potential allergenicity by up to 99 percent. The process also increases the number of essential amino acids in soy products, making them a healthy choice for consumers. Researchers aim to develop nutritious and hypoallergenic soy products.
Researchers have discovered a peptide in scorpion venom that controls chloride channel movement, potentially treating cystic fibrosis. The novel GaTx1 peptide could inhibit CFTR channels, increasing water production and thinning mucus in airway cells.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center identify chemical compounds from common foods that activate human bitter taste receptors, providing a practical means to manipulate food flavor. The findings may help make health-promoting bitter foods more palatable.
Theoretical physicists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have uncovered a simple mechanism describing how an HIV peptide penetrates cell membranes. The discovery could help treat other human illnesses by exploiting similar molecules.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have developed a new drug that blocks the live viral infection of Hendra and Nipah viruses, which are on the US government's list of potential threats. The peptide-based entry inhibitor has been proven effective in blocking the infection of live virus in animal cells.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a method to remotely deactivate protein-wrapped carbon nanotubes using light, rendering them harmless. This technique holds promise for new antibacterial coatings and cancer treatment methods.
Researchers developed a hairpin-shaped molecule that imitates the spatial structure of an important viral protein, preventing the discharge of viral RNA from the cell nucleus. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new class of HIV treatment drugs.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease research, identifying A
A new study by David Heckerman and colleagues developed a statistical framework to model HLA-dependent T cell response data. The approach identified 12 correct predictions out of 16, providing significant implications for understanding and developing an HIV vaccine.
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed new peptides that inhibit HIV entry into cells, with up to a 40,000-fold improved antiviral potency over previously reported D-peptides. These peptides resist degradation, making them suitable for oral administration and potentially reducing drug resistance.
Researchers reveal driving force behind protein folding involving water interactions and hydrophobic areas of peptides. This insight builds on previous theories, allowing for the determination of a peptide's structure from its amino acid sequence.
A study published in Neuron found a link between the toxic brain protein Aâ peptide and neuronal overexcitation, leading to compensatory rewiring of brain circuitry. This overexcitation can contribute to cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease. Researchers suggest blocking this overexcitation may prevent such neurological deficits.
Researchers found that over-production of two inflammatory proteins causes excessive levels of a third protein, leading to rosacea symptoms. Elevated stratum corneum tryptic enzymes (SCTE) and cathelicidin also contribute to the disease.
Scientists have developed a new method to deliver therapeutic molecules across the blood-brain barrier using a short protein from the rabies virus. This approach protects mice from infection caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, suggesting potential for treating various brain infections and diseases.
Scientists have discovered a single protein that can inhibit aging, which could hold implications for human longevity and treatment of diseases. The technique used to make the inhibiting proteins opens the possibility of developing new therapeutics.
Scientists have developed a new class of designer materials using common amino acids, which exhibit excellent potential for solubilizing membrane proteins and enzymes. These lipid-like peptides can also stabilize self-assembled liquid crystalline nanostructures with varying surface charge density.
Researchers found that an imbalance between two peptides, AB40 and AB42, can lead to the formation of senile plaques and dementia. Introducing more AB40 may stop or slow down Alzheimer's development by balancing with AB42.
Researchers at UCLA AIDS Institute found a peptide that enhances HIV infection, contradicting its normal protective function. The discovery could lead to the development of new tools for gene therapy using HIV-based vectors.
Researchers have identified a specific class of small peptide elicitors that help plants react to insect attack, triggering defensive chemistry and improving protection against pests. The discovery opens the door for genetic manipulation of plants with improved defense mechanisms.
The Hamilton researchers used state-of-the-art computational techniques to design molecules that were predicted to be effective against breast cancer. These molecules, later synthesized by Albany Medical College scientists, showed promise as anti-breast cancer compounds in animal systems.