Articles tagged with Peptides
Researchers have developed a peptide that enables THC to fight pain without the cognitive side effects associated with cannabis. In mice, the optimized peptide showed improved memory and reduced immune response, making it an ideal drug candidate for reducing cognitive side effects from cannabis-based pain management.
A team of scientists from the University of Warwick used phage display to discover a small peptide that can bind to ice, which has potential applications in preserving frozen cells and foods. The discovery highlights the power of biotechnology tools in discovering new materials with unique properties.
Scientists have discovered a crucial aspect of peptide machinery, providing a breakthrough in re-engineering peptides. The study sheds light on how selectivity is achieved in the assembly lines that produce peptides, enabling single amino acid changes without altering multiple components.
Researchers have improved a method to prevent human parainfluenza virus attachment to cells, leading to 30% to 40% of childhood respiratory illnesses. The new peptide is more effective and persistent in rodent models.
Research suggests that bradykinin, substance P, and neurotensin may contribute to severe COVID-19 complications through mechanisms involving vascular permeability and cytokine storms. The review aims to bring awareness to these often-overlooked peptides, which may play a crucial role in disease management.
Researchers from Kumamoto University have successfully developed oral insulin using DNP peptides and zinc insulin hexamers. This breakthrough aims to improve the quality of life for diabetics who struggle with painful self-injection therapy.
Researchers have identified a novel autoantigen in narcolepsy, which mimics a protein from the H1N1 virus. Immune cells in narcolepsy patients mounted stronger responses against viral peptides and human proteins, leading to the discovery of a self-protein that triggers an autoimmune response.
Researchers have identified the activation mechanism of SHP2, a key player in cancer development. The study reveals that flexible beta sheets, not previously thought to be crucial, open in the presence of a peptide, triggering SHP2 activation.
A new mitochondrial peptide called MOCCI regulates inflammation of blood vessels and immunity after viral infection. Researchers discovered that MOCCI dampens the activity of Complex IV in mitochondria to reduce inflammation.
Scientists have observed unusually fast picosecond electron transfer in peptides mediated by hydrogen bonds, a rate 1 million times faster than previously known. This discovery has the potential to improve chemical transformations, energy conversion, electronic devices, and photonic technologies.
A team of scientists from UNIGE has identified a crucial role for a micro-peptide in determining the sperm that will fertilize an egg in Drosophila females. The peptide plays a key part in the competition between spermatozoa from different males, and its absence leads to reduced fertility in subsequent matings.
Researchers develop a new bioprinting process using ultrashort peptides, overcoming challenges in cell survival and creating complex scaffolds that facilitate long-term cell growth. The technology enables the creation of tissue models for high-throughput drug screening and diagnosis.
A novel mechanism has been identified that might explain why a rare mutation is associated with familial Alzheimer's disease. The presence of the S198P mutation resulted in elevated levels of A? peptides due to rapid folding of APP, leading to faster production and deposition of A? peptides.
Researchers have discovered that bacteria residing within tumor cells can be harnessed to provoke an immune reaction against the tumor. The findings suggest that bacterial peptides presented on tumor cells can serve as potential targets for immunotherapy, enabling immune T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells more precisely.
A comprehensive mutation map of the amyloid beta peptide has been developed to predict whether specific mutations increase an individual's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study found that certain mutations accelerate protein aggregation, leading to the formation of toxic plaques in the brain.
Researchers at the UAB have designed minimalist biostructures that imitate natural enzymes, carrying out two differentiated and reversibly regulated activities. These peptides can be used to create 'intelligent' nanomaterials with tailor-made combinations of catalytic functions for practical applications.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed protein fragments called peptides that effectively bind to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, blocking the virus's ability to access host cells. The team envisions delivering these peptides in nasal sprays or aerosol disinfectants to prevent viral entry.
Researchers designed a simple screening assay based on competitive binding to identify peptide candidates with high binding affinity for ubiquitin. The dimers of cyclic peptides were found to be more potent than control peptides and induced cell death in live cancer cell lines.
A newly engineered peptide has been shown to prevent virus transmission among ferrets when given two days prior to co-housing with infected animals. The peptide's stability and effectiveness in reducing infection rates make it a promising candidate for developing an intranasal prophylaxis treatment against SARS-CoV-2 in humans.
Researchers are harnessing the power of peptides to develop new therapeutics, leveraging vast libraries and animal venom to discover novel leads. Recent studies have shown promising results in pain relief and biopesticides, highlighting the potential for peptides to revolutionize the pharmaceutical landscape.
A new study by USask researchers found that a shorter form of a brain protein, Aβ38, halts damage-causing mechanisms of its longer counterpart, Aβ42. This discovery could help identify people at highest risk for developing Alzheimer's and slow or prevent its onset.
Researchers created potent trivalent inhibitors of thrombin from anticoagulation peptides in insect saliva, demonstrating improved efficiency over natural agents. The new agent showed 385-fold inhibition in human plasma and reduced fibrin accumulation, offering potential for efficient anticoagulation drugs.
A new study found that a mitochondrial gene variant increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes in Japanese men, particularly in sedentary individuals. Exercise was shown to mitigate this risk, highlighting the importance of physical activity in preventing the disease.
Researchers at Chung-Ang University have created a novel quantitative method to assess the safety of food, particularly for fish samples. By using fluorescent carbon nanoparticles and a protein that binds strongly to histamine, the team can accurately quantify histamine levels in fish samples with high sensitivity and specificity.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.