Articles tagged with Peptides
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have successfully tested a new peptide therapy that reduces fever, protects the lungs, improves heart function, and reverses cytokine storm in mouse models with COVID-19. The treatment also prevents disease progression and has potential as a post-vaccine measure to manage severe symptoms.
Researchers develop peptide that disrupts protective outer coating of TB pathogen, making it susceptible to antibiotics and die. The peptide specifically targets the fatty acid on the pathogen's surface, allowing it to effectively kill the bacteria without harming good bacteria.
Researchers have engineered red blood cells to release therapeutic proteins in response to specific wavelengths of light, using a honey bee peptide. This innovative approach could provide a more effective and targeted way to deliver protein therapies, reducing the risk of side effects and improving treatment outcomes.
Scientists create peptide-oligourea hybrids that mimic natural peptide structures, enhancing drug efficiency and stability. The hybrids exhibit high binding affinities and resist proteolytic degradation.
A multi-institution team identified the genetic mechanisms enabling the production of Victorin, a deadly toxin causing Victoria blight in oats. The study discovered that Victorin genes are scattered across repetitive regions in the pathogen genome, expanding the potential for small molecule discovery.
A chemist from RUDN University synthesized analogs of two natural toxins, antofine and septicine, using a universal approach. The new method involves just two steps, the four-component Ugi reaction and cyclization reaction, and can produce compounds with antibacterial, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory properties.
In a new study published in Science, UCL scientists have recreated how cysteine was formed at the origins of life, delivering vital catalysts that enabled the earliest protein molecules to form. The researchers observed how once-formed cysteine catalyses the fusion of peptides in water, a fundamental step towards protein enzymes.
A new treatment method increases the body's own degradation of protein building blocks, reducing all types of aggregates. The method uses somatostatin fused to a brain transport protein, allowing it to enter the brain and target the smallest, most toxic aggregates.
Researchers at MedUni Vienna's Institute of Pharmacology have isolated a beetroot peptide that inhibits prolyl oligopeptidase, an enzyme involved in the breakdown of protein hormones in the body. The study suggests that this peptide could be a promising drug candidate for treating neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases.
A preclinical study suggests a novel therapeutic immunomodulatory vaccine may slow memory impairment and prevent Aβ oligomer aggregation, with strong immunomodulatory effects without inducing inflammation. The vaccine targets toxic Aβ molecules in the brain, providing a safer alternative to existing anti-amyloid treatments.
Scientists have developed a new cell-penetrating peptide-conjugated antibiotic that shows promising results in treating Leishmania parasites. The treatment is highly effective, requires fewer oral doses, and is non-toxic to mammal cells.
Researchers repurposed wasp venom peptides to develop anti-infectives with dual antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Mice treated with these peptides exhibited reduced bacterial counts and improved survival rates.
Researchers at the University of Queensland discovered that male funnel web spider venom is deadlier than female venom due to evolutionary adaptations. The study, published in PNAS, sheds light on the unique properties of delta-hexatoxins and their fatal neurotoxic effects on humans.
Researchers from the University of Queensland have discovered two pain-blocking peptides in the Venezuelan Pinkfoot Goliath tarantula's venom, showing great potential as treatments for chronic intestinal pain. The peptides inhibit the most important ion channels underlying pain and nearly stopped chronic visceral pain in a model of IBS.
A collaborative study has uncovered new markers uniquely present on melanoma tumours that can be recognised by the immune system. These markers, known as spliced peptides, can be used to develop therapeutic vaccines to combat melanoma.
Researchers have identified a uniform genetic mechanism controlling seed position in plant pods, regardless of environmental factors. The study found that a specific peptide pair coordinates ovule initiation patterns with seed number and fruit size, leading to even spacing and optimal growth.
Researchers at Penn State expand gene-editing technology for use in vertebrates like mice, fish, and birds with new funding. The ReMOT Control tool builds on CRISPR/Cas9, enabling efficient delivery of gene-editing cargo to targeted regions of DNA.
A new study suggests that mammalian immune cells may be less effective at detecting and responding to microorganisms from other planets, potentially posing a threat to space missions. The researchers tested the immune response of mice to peptides containing amino acids rare on Earth but common on meteorites.
Researchers developed a system to monitor pneumonia and genetic diseases by analyzing breath exhaled by patients, revealing a new potential diagnostic tool. The technology uses specialized nanoparticles that release gases when proteases in the body cleave them, allowing for rapid detection of lung health.
A team of scientists at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center has identified a sub-class of peptides in legumes that inhibit the growth of gray mold fungus. The peptides, known as NCR044, work by concentrating in the nucleolus and targeting fungal spores and germlings.
Researchers have discovered a peptide in scorpion venom that can dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure in hypertensive rats. The compound, KPP, regulates proteins associated with cell death, energy production, and muscle contraction.
Scientists designed peptide nanoparticles that can fluoresce in a variety of colors, opening up new biomedical applications. The 12-peptide palette encompasses all visible light colors and is photostable without toxicity.
Researchers developed a stable 'mirror-image' peptide that effectively blocks the interaction between TIGIT and its ligand PVR, inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. This approach offers an alternative point of attack for cancer immunotherapy, potentially outperforming existing anti-PD-1 therapy.
The chemical synthesis of trefoil factor peptide TFF1 enables the study of its mechanisms of action and optimization for therapeutic applications. The new method provides novel insights into the protein's interactions with mucins, accelerating wound healing in the gastrointestinal tract.
A collaboration between University of Toronto and National Jewish Health has yielded a new drug discovery that could combat inflammation and acute respiratory illnesses like COVID-19. The 'drug' is a combination of two naturally occurring peptides, TAT CARMIL1, which reduces collagen degradation by up to 43%.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have engineered peptides that bind selectively to polysialic acid on cells, potentially providing a barrier against viruses. The findings suggest these peptides could be used to treat diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer.
Researchers developed a new calcium indicator that accumulates only in neuron bodies, reducing crosstalk and improving signal accuracy. This breakthrough allows for more precise monitoring of individual neurons and their roles in brain functions.
Researchers created transgenic rice with anti-hypertensive peptides that lowered blood pressure in hypertensive rats. The effect remained after a 5-week treatment period without obvious side effects. If effective in humans, it could lead to a daily intake of only half a tablespoon of special rice.
Scientists at the University of Würzburg have identified thousands of cryptic HLA peptides in tumor immunopeptidomes using a novel bioinformatics method. These peptides may serve as effective targets for cancer immunotherapies and vaccines against virus-infected cells.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a family of soft materials that imitates living creatures, bending, rotating and even crawling on surfaces when hit with light. The materials move without complex hardware or electricity, and have potential applications in energy, environmental remediation and advanced medicine.
A protein fragment derived from soybeans has been shown to improve working and long-term memory in mice with simulated Alzheimer's disease. The dipeptide, named Tyr-Pro, is the first known molecule to enter the brain intact after ingestion.
A method for self-assembling nanostructures with gamma-modified peptide nucleic acid (γPNA) has been developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers. The process enables the formation of complex, all-PNA nanostructures in organic solvent solutions, holding promise for nanofabrication and nanosensing.
Researchers analyzed the genetic variability of immunity in response to COVID-19, identifying key HLA molecules that contribute to individual susceptibility. The study found significant differences in HLA variant frequencies across populations, suggesting past adaptations to different pathogenic pressures.
Researchers at MIT develop an automated tabletop machine that can synthesize hundreds of amino acids within hours, reducing the time required to generate synthetic proteins. This technology could speed up the manufacturing of on-demand therapies and enable scientists to design artificial proteins with superior biological function.
The study reveals that imidazole catalyzes the formation of prebiotic peptides, shifting the activation site from N-terminus to O-terminus. This finding sheds light on the origin of life and proposes a new hypothesis for its emergence.
Researchers at the University of Ottawa have discovered a new sex hormone in zebrafish that regulates sexual behavior and reproduction. The hormone, secretoneurin peptide, was found to restore sexual function in genetically modified fish by increasing hormone release and enhancing ovulation.
Researchers have successfully developed a method to create proteolytically resistant therapeutic peptides that can survive the gastrointestinal tract. This breakthrough enables the development of oral peptide drugs targeting gastrointestinal targets, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Scientists have developed nanodevices that capture and trap beta-amyloid peptides, a key component of Alzheimer's plaques. The devices show promise in preventing plaque formation and reducing cell death, with over 90% efficiency compared to control particles.
UMass Amherst scientists used computational techniques to study amyloid fibril growth and brain pathology, revealing that earlier forms of the protein are toxic. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the process, highlighting the importance of energy landscapes in disease progression.
Researchers at the University of Utah and Texas Advanced Computing Center used powerful supercomputers to rapidly generate molecular models of compounds relevant for COVID-19. They applied their approach, developed previously for Ebola virus research, to identify promising peptides that can disrupt the coronavirus.
A Japanese research team has developed a cyclic peptide that enhances blood-brain barrier penetration, allowing for the delivery of macromolecular drugs to the brain. The technology, which uses nanoparticles and liposomes, shows promise in treating central nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Researchers have identified specific Bifidobacteria strains that can break down gluten proteins into smaller fragments, reducing immune response damage. These findings pave the way for new treatments and improved patient outcomes for celiac disease patients.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a hormone produced in nitrogen-starved leaves that regulates the demand and supply of nitrogen between plant shoots and roots. The hormone, CEPDL2, enhances nitrate uptake efficiency, potentially minimizing fertilizer use.
A team of scientists used machine learning to speed up the process of identifying optimal self-assembling peptides for biocompatible electronic devices. By screening 8,000 candidates, they were able to rank each design and pave the way for experimentalists to test the most promising ones.
Researchers have identified a promising first step in antiviral treatment for COVID-19, focusing on the spike protein's fusion peptide. By understanding how this peptide interacts with host cells, scientists hope to develop an antibody that can block viral entry and replication.
A new study found that a novel peptide antagonist given in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor is safe and well-tolerated in patients with advanced, refractory pancreatic and rectal cancer. The highest dose tested resulted in no adverse events leading to the recommendation for use in future trials.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have successfully harnessed bacteria's ability to create peptides with noncanonical amino acids, enabling the expansion of phage display libraries. This new method paves the way for new peptide-based therapeutics in cancer and other human diseases.
Researchers identified peptides that trigger immune responses in multiple plant species, including citrus, potentially preventing or reducing yield loss from citrus greening. This discovery offers a new hope for the devastated citrus industry, where no resistant varieties are available and limited disease control measures exist.
Researchers developed a new technique called zombie scanning to study peptide-receptor interactions on the cell surface. This method hijacks cell machinery to simplify the creation of peptides, allowing for rapid studies and lower production costs.
Scientists have created two-layered nanofibers consisting of an ordered row of alternating peptides and determined what drives their self-assembly. The discovery has potential biomedical applications due to the ability to tailor peptide structures.
Weizmann Institute researchers found that overexpression of specific immunoproteasome subunits in melanoma is tied to anti-cancer immune activity. The study's findings suggest that these biomarkers may improve patient matching to current immunotherapy treatments, leading to better outcomes.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have designed proteins called cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) that prevent the aggregation of amyloid-β protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. The CPPs stabilize Aβ in a non-aggregated state, inhibiting neurotoxicity and protecting neurons from damage.
Researchers at the Technical University of Berlin introduce a new method to synthesize α-amanitin, a highly selective inhibitor of RNA polymerase II. This synthetic route allows for large-scale production and could lead to cancer treatment advancements.
Researchers at Washington State University and UMass Amherst will explore the role of bacterial fragments in regulating sleep and circadian rhythms. They aim to determine how these fragments affect brain functions, including sleep, cognition, mood, and appetite.
Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health have identified a protein complex elevated in PTSD patients, which could serve as a blood-based biomarker for diagnosis and treatment. A developed peptide has been shown to prevent recall or encoding of fear memories, suggesting potential for symptom prevention or treatment.
A team of scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University discovered that a specific insulin-like peptide called ILP2 regulates the size of mandibles in broad-horned flour beetles. The study found that larvae fed sufficiently, showed elevated expression of ILP2, leading to larger mandibles.
Researchers from the University of Freiburg and US universities have developed a method to differentiate between individual amino acids in short peptides. They used an aerolysin nanopore to measure the ion current through the pore, enabling the sensitive measurement of peptide size and structure.
IBP-CP24, a newly engineered peptide, exhibits prolonged half-life and potent anti-HIV activity, including effectiveness against drug-resistant strains. Its combination with broad neutralizing antibodies may reduce treatment costs.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism for detecting foreign material during early immune responses, which could help detect elusive cancers. ERAP1 protein can break down peptides bound to MHC I, allowing immune cells to recognize and destroy infected cells.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found a peptide called PACAP links migraine pain and opioid-induced pain, offering potential new treatments for episodic migraines. The study's findings support the development of therapies targeting PACAP and its receptor.