Articles tagged with Peptides
Researchers developed a new approach to harness and modulate enzyme activity, allowing for the design of industrial catalysts and healthcare diagnostics. The technique uses polyvinyl alcohol to limit molecule diffusion, enabling simultaneous monitoring of enzyme- peptide interactions.
Researchers at Emory University have discovered that simple peptides can organize into bi-layer membranes, a 'missing link' between pre-biotic Earth's chemical inventory and the scaffolding essential to life. This finding may also shed light on protein assemblies related to Alzheimer's disease, Type 2 diabetes, and other serious ailments.
Researchers propose a new theory on the cause of autoimmunity in diabetes, suggesting that unusual protein fragments can trigger an immune response. This discovery could lead to a new strategy for preventing type 1 diabetes.
Scientists aim to prevent insects from spreading deadly diseases like Chagas' by manipulating physiology to stop the transmission of the illness. Researchers have identified genes controlling diuresis in kissing bugs and hope to create a peptide agonist to prevent waste and parasites from being left on wounds.
Researchers have gained new insight into protein fiber assembly, providing a potential route to temporal control of fibers with future applications in biotechnology and nanoscale science and medicine. By manipulating conditions, they were able to demonstrate the ability to manipulate fibrous structures with some precision.
Researchers found a molecular link between genetic mutations and type 1 diabetes, identifying a critical new target for intervention. The study's findings suggest a way to break 'tolerance' in the immune system, potentially leading to novel antibody or small molecule therapies.
Researchers have discovered a type of soy protein that inhibits fat accumulation and reduces inflammation. Soybeans with high levels of beta-conglycinins are found to limit lipid accumulation in fat cells by suppressing an enzyme called fatty acid synthase.
Researchers found truncated peptides form active ion channels causing cell death and memory loss, contradicting previous effective treatments. A new approach aims to control these ion channels for an effective treatment.
Researchers discovered NG peptides in marine animals, similar to the mutant gene causing diabetes insipidus, providing new understanding of a rare form of diabetes. The discovery could help explain symptoms and treatment for around 10,000 people in the UK.
Researchers have developed two potential drug candidates that block cancer-promoting pathways in novel ways. The peptides offer a new approach to interfere with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) pathways.
A computer simulation of protein malfunction related to Alzheimer's disease was created by researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and University of Stockholm. The model shows that ApoE4 loses its functional structure in the presence of Amyloid beta, but not ApoE2 and ApoE3 forms.
A new tool called PEG-POD significantly increases gene delivery to retinal cells, outperforming existing carriers and DNA alone. This breakthrough may help develop therapies for conditions like retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
Researchers used a special peptide to modify laboratory mice's immune systems, reducing characteristic features of Alzheimer's disease. Anti-inflammatory cells were recruited, dampening the local inflammatory response and boosting plaque-degrading enzyme action.
Researchers have identified a peptide called iRGD that specifically targets and penetrates cancerous tumors, delivering diagnostic particles and medicines. This breakthrough could improve cancer treatment and reduce side effects.
A breakthrough in assembling peptides at the nano-scale level could lead to self-cleaning coatings for windows and solar panels. The material can also boost electric battery capacity, potentially solving limitations like thrust.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that soy peptide lunasin may help fight leukemia by activating a protein called caspase-3. Lunasin also showed anti-inflammatory properties by blocking the activation of NF-kappa-B and reducing interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 levels.
Researchers produced single-molecule resolution images of peptide-mineral interaction, revealing mechanisms that molecules use to bind to surfaces. Peptides slow down or speed up crystal growth depending on conditions, offering potential solutions for pathological mineralization and kidney stone treatment.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have determined the atomic-level structure of a SEVI precursor and found it damages cell membranes to make them more vulnerable to HIV infection. The study provides insights into how SEVI interacts with cell membranes, which may help in developing new treatments for AIDS.
A recent study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that eating quickly can lead to overeating by curbing the release of hormones that signal fullness. Researchers discovered that subjects who took their time consuming a meal had higher concentrations of appetite-regulating hormones,...
Researchers at NIST have developed a method to quantify extremely low levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a molecule that indicates cardiovascular disease risk. The new certified reference material will improve the accuracy of clinical laboratory tests for CRP, enabling more precise detection of individuals at high risk of heart attack.
Researchers propose a new hypothesis for Alzheimer's disease: the myelin model. This theory suggests that degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's begin with normal brain maintenance and repair processes. The model suggests targeting earlier stages of myelination, potentially reducing dementia's burden.
Einstein scientists have identified two small protein fragments that could be developed into an anthrax vaccine, potentially causing fewer side effects than the current vaccine. The research focuses on the protein toxin used in the current vaccine, looking for peptides that can trigger protective antibodies when injected into animals.
Assoc Prof Lam has won a S$20,000 fellowship to support her research on self-assembling biomolecules for sensing applications. The award recognizes her contributions to the advancement of science and research in Singapore, building on her expertise in understanding and designing materials.
Biophysicists at TUM develop a new technique to observe calmodulin in action, allowing them to study its binding sequences and regulate its target proteins. The results reveal new insights into the protein's hierarchy of folding and unbinding events.
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.