NTU Singapore scientists have developed a new lab-created peptide ligase based on genetic information from the Chinese violet, which may help speed up drug development and improve diagnostic imaging. The enzyme has exceptional binding properties and can be produced in large quantities without by-products.
A team of researchers developed a macrocyclic peptide, HiP-8, that selectively inhibits active Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), a protein promoting cancer cell invasion and survival. HiP-8 shows high affinity for HGF and has potential as a PET imaging probe and anti-cancer drug.
Lugdunin, a cyclic peptide with strong antimicrobial properties, works by proton transport across bacterial membranes. The researchers discovered that the thiazolidine group in lugdunin forms a critical part of its structure and is essential for its antibacterial activity.
Researchers have identified compounds in ragweed that can help nerve cells survive with Alzheimer's disease peptides. The compounds, including terpenoids and spermidine conjugates, showed promise in protecting neurons from Aβ-induced toxicity.
Kanazawa University researchers have synthesized a radiotheranostic system using astatine and iodine as alpha-particle and gamma-radiation sources, respectively. The system utilizes a peptide carrier molecule to target tumors, achieving high accumulation in cancer cells.
Researchers at the Ragon Institute identified specific viral peptides critical to HIV function that are targeted by immune cells of individuals naturally able to control the virus. This finding could lead to the development of broadly protective vaccines and a deeper understanding of natural immunity.
A 12-year retrospective clinical study shows the long-term effectiveness of PRRT, allowing patients to maintain a high quality of life. The overall response rate is about 70-80 percent, and prognosis is generally favorable for patients who respond to therapy.
Researchers at ETH Zurich develop a new technique, nanoFleming, to rapidly test for antibiotic activity in microorganisms. The method has identified 11 novel peptides with improved efficacy or resistance-bypassing properties.
Researchers identify antigens targeted by the antibody response of children with Kawasaki Disease, strongly suggesting a new human virus is etiologically related. The study found that monoclonal antibodies from these patients recognized peptides from a hepacivirus non-structural protein.
A Northwestern University and UC San Diego team has created a novel way to deliver a bioactivated, biodegradable substance through a noninvasive catheter without clogging. The approach uses self-assembling peptides that turn the body's inflammatory response into a signal to heal rather than a means of scarring.
Researchers have developed a novel method to functionalize peptides using light-activated catalysis, allowing for the creation of new therapeutic agents. The method enables selective modification of the C-terminal position in peptides, opening up new possibilities for drug development.
A new study found that low doses of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) trigger headaches only in female rodents, potentially explaining the higher prevalence of migraines in women. The researchers used rat and mouse models with both male and female animals to investigate CGRP's role in migraine.
A small peptide produced in predatory nematodes' skin prevents them from eating their kin, while they feed on close relatives. The discovery reveals a self-recognition system in nematodes that discriminates between self and other organisms.
Researchers review TFE's role as a structuring agent for unfolded peptides, inducing helical conformations, while also enhancing protein denaturation. The study details recent applications of TFE in conformational studies, including antimicrobial and aggregation-prone peptides.
Marine peptides containing brominated tryptophan analogs show various biological activities, including antimicrobial, insecticidal, and hemolytic properties. These peptides may be developed as antibiotics or treatments for neurological disorders and cancer.
Researchers have developed a high-throughput method to produce and screen engineered antimicrobial lanthipeptides, which could lead to the creation of new antibiotics. The method involves synthesizing DNA strands coding for different ring combinations and screening them for antimicrobial potential using micro-alginate beads.
Researchers at Goethe University are investigating the development of synthetic drugs from natural substances, economic mechanisms in the Internet, and the connection between social inequality and societal stability. The EU has funded three projects: SYNPEP, POLAR, and COOKIES, which aim to improve our understanding of these issues.
Scientists create vaccine that strengthens immune defences by multiplying cancer-repelling T cells, promising treatment for individualized cancer immunotherapy and potential application in autoimmune diseases. Laboratory tests conducted on tumours in mice show effectiveness of approach.
Proteins exhibit surprising electrical conductivity when connected to electrodes via specific molecules, paving the way for sensitive chemical sensors. The study identifies six proteins capable of conductance, with two specific contacts resulting in highest conductivity.
Researchers at University of Groningen developed nanopores that can measure peptide mass, offering a cheap and portable solution for proteomics research. The smallest pores produced have a resolution of around 40 Dalton, allowing for the identification of peptides with varying chemical compositions.
A team of ETH Zurich researchers used single-molecule force spectroscopy to investigate how membrane proteins become embedded in cell membranes. They discovered the role of two helper proteins, insertase and translocase, which enable membrane proteins to embed themselves in the membrane. The study sheds light on the folding pathways of...
Researchers have identified a protein, nemuri, that promotes sleep after sleep deprivation or infection in fruit flies. The protein also increases the ability of flies to survive bacterial infections. This dual action suggests a link between sleep and immune function.
Researchers have solved a 20-year riddle of how crucial step in antibiotic biosynthesis occurs, opening way to potentially redesigning antibiotics. The team structurally characterised the peptide bond forming domain in Ebony enzyme, revealing its novel types of condensation domain and its role in regulating neurotransmitters.
A Japanese research team identified a plant peptide that helps lateral roots grow with the right spacing. The TOLS2 gene was found to be expressed in lateral root founder cells and inhibits their formation, while the RLK7 receptor suppresses nearby cell growth.
Researchers have discovered that dry-cured ham bones contain peptides with cardioprotective effects, inhibiting enzymes involved in cardiovascular disease. The use of ham bones to make broths and stews could have a positive impact on cardiovascular health.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered a new class of blood pressure-regulating peptides in vampire bat venom that could revolutionize treatments for various medical conditions. The peptides are selective in their mode of action, reducing side effects compared to existing therapies.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered two peptides that selectively activate beneficial cellular pathways without causing unwanted side effects. These peptides are being investigated in preclinical studies for their ability to regulate dietary intake and have shown promising results.
Researchers isolated a peptide, named SP6, from spirulina extract that can dilate blood vessels and effectively lower blood pressure in animal models. The peptide acts positively on the natural mechanisms regulating endothelial function, which is often impaired in hypertensive patients.
Scientists have elucidated the formation mechanism of amyloid-β substances, causative agents of Alzheimer's disease. They found that Aβ peptides tend to aggregate at hydrophilic/hydrophobic interfaces, forming β-hairpin structures that facilitate intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
Galanin-like peptide (GALP) plays a key role in regulating feeding behavior and energy metabolism. Recent research has shown that GALP administration leads to decreased respiratory quotient, indicating accelerated lipid metabolism.
A new algorithm that combines experimental data with machine learning reduces the time needed to find optimal peptide sequences, allowing for faster discovery and synthesis. This method has the potential to revolutionize how peptides are designed and could lead to breakthroughs in materials science, chemistry, and medicine.
Researchers at PNNL and UCLA verify Gibbs' theory for materials forming row by row, bypassing the nucleation barrier. This discovery provides clues for designing microelectronics and bodily tissues with better control and efficiency.
A new study has identified a specific peptide that directly binds to the ion-channel CFTR, impairing its function and triggering cellular stress and inflammation. This interaction can be inhibited by a potentiator of CFTR, which may offer protection against gluten-induced intestinal symptoms.
Researchers develop method to identify tumor-specific factors in blood that can elicit a protective immune response, potentially leading to an effective vaccine against cancer. The technique relies on peptide arrays and frameshift mutations, which have been shown to be more effective stimulators of immune response than point mutations.
Researchers develop new method for selectively binding proteins to nanoparticles using co-assembling points of contact, promising applications in diagnostics and medicine. The method has potential for treating diseases such as Alzheimer's by dissolving amyloid aggregates.
Researchers discovered that signal peptides can inhibit glutamate receptor trafficking, leading to potentiation of synaptic responses. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying glutamate receptor trafficking and its role in neurological disorders.
Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of the PTH-1 receptor, a protein fragment involved in bone loss. This breakthrough enables the development of new drugs that may slow down or reverse osteoporosis without its current treatment's disadvantages.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona develop peptide shuttle using scorpion venom to transport drugs across blood-brain barrier, improving efficacy for neurological treatments. The miniCTX3 peptide shows great efficiency in carrying compounds of different nature across the BBB.
Research with mice suggests exercise strengthens resolve against drug addiction by changing peptide levels in the brain. Re-exposure to drug-related cues affects exercise and sedentary mice differently.
Researchers identify significant impact of genetic diversity on peptide binding to HLA molecules, with implications for understanding HIV elite control and drug hypersensitivity. The study may also aid in the development of personalized vaccines.
Scientists at IOCB Prague have discovered a previously unknown passive mechanism by which positively charged short peptides can penetrate cells. This process is based on membrane fusion induced by the transported peptides and shares the same mechanistic basis as known processes in neurons during nerve impulses.
A novel technology for profiling protein turnover and degradation has been developed, revealing distinct evidence of a signature pattern in autoimmune disorders. The technique focuses on degraded proteins, providing clues about the state of protein monitoring and potentially leading to better diagnostic techniques.
Scientists have successfully explained the structure and function of docking domains in peptide natural products. This breakthrough allows researchers to redesign docking domain interactions, modulating the product spectrum of a rhabdopeptide-synthesizing NRPS. The discovery has promising implications for creating new substances.
Researchers develop structure-disrupting peptides to target bacterial proteins' structural core, reducing likelihood of resistance development. The study finds promising results in inhibiting multidrug-resistant bacteria growth and treating gonococcal infections.
Researchers have discovered a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, which may lead to new treatments. Humanin, a naturally occurring mitochondrial peptide, decreases with age and is associated with an increased risk of diseases linked to older age.
Researchers at University of Notre Dame discover that T-cell receptors can be more cross-reactive than previously thought, increasing the challenge of developing effective immunotherapies. This finding highlights the need to reassess predictions for building models for therapy and recognizing targets.
Researchers analyzed ant venom from a tropical species and identified over 2,800 venom peptides, including 37 full-length peptide precursors called myrmicitoxins. The peptides showed sequence similarities with those produced by other insects, suggesting they evolved from ancestral genes.
A recent study suggests that specific immune system peptides could influence brain activity and drug cravings, offering a potential partner in the fight against opioid addiction. The research focuses on targeting these peptides to reduce cravings in human patients.
Researchers found that positively charged calcium ions enhance Ti-1 peptide adhesion to titanium surfaces while limiting access for Ti-2 peptide, revealing principles for designing peptides with tunable affinity to titanium applications.
Researchers from Far Eastern Federal University have discovered a new group of Kunitz-type peptides in Heteractis magnifica sea anemones, which exhibit neuroprotective properties. The peptides inhibit the development of inflammations and reduce levels of active oxygen forms that cause cell damage.
Rutgers researchers discovered a primordial peptide with two types of amino acids and a metal cluster similar to iron-sulfur minerals, suggesting it could have emerged spontaneously on early Earth. The short peptide may have served as a catalyst for life-producing chemistry.
Scientists develop peptide hydrogel that stimulates new blood vessel and dental pulp growth in teeth after root canals. The material aims to preserve more of the existing dental pulp and help grow new tissue, making the procedure less invasive.
Researchers have mapped how peptides reduce infection and inflammation by deactivating toxic substances formed in the process. The study reveals that these peptides form a C-shaped structure which enables the capturing and inactivation of lipopolysaccharides, a necessary part of our immune defence system.
Scientists at TUM have discovered a new class of designed macrocyclic peptides that are highly potent inhibitors of amyloid formation, which could be an alternative to current antibody-based approaches. The researchers are now planning further investigations to verify their effectiveness in in vivo models.
Researchers synthesized tetrapeptide PAGY and its analogues using solid phase peptide synthesis, screening their antioxidant properties. The results showed that PSGY exhibited the highest DPPH inhibition activity, while modifications in amino acid sequences increased or decreased antioxidant activity.
Researchers have discovered peptides that can inhibit autophagy in living animals, providing a promising treatment against various diseases. The peptides are derived from giant ankyrins and can be used to occlude autophagy spatiotemporally.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a matchmaking service to pair peptides with antibiotics, increasing treatment success rates against antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Seven combinations were identified that worked better than antibiotics alone, offering up to a 100-fold improvement.
The new molecules are formed by a chain of 7 amino acids, each composed of only two different amino acids. These peptides have numerous applications, including generating electrical nanoconductors and fibrillar mini enzymes capable of acting as catalysts in the formation of organic nanomaterials.
Amyloid peptides prevent CamKII from participating in synaptic plasticity, leading to synapse loss and cognitive deficiencies. Researchers aim to understand the molecular mechanism behind amyloid aggregate interactions with CamKII to develop potential treatments for early Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed a peptide-infused dressing that promotes dermal cell adhesion and proliferation, accelerating wound closure and tissue regeneration in diabetic mice. The dressing showed significant benefits compared to control treatments.