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A new technique will speed up the design of drugs that target proteins involved in numerous diseases

A new technique has been developed to study interactions between drugs and ion channels, allowing for faster and more economical design of targeted therapies. The method has been tested on P2X7 receptors, which are therapeutic targets for depression, autism spectrum disorders, and certain types of cancer.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 14, 2025

“Double life” of key immune protein reveals new strategies for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases

Researchers discover that PD-1 forms dimers to function optimally, and manipulating its dimerization can enhance or inhibit T cell activity. This finding offers new insights into developing more effective cancer immunotherapies and treatments for autoimmune diseases.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2024

How marine bristle worms use a special protein to distinguish between sunlight and moonlight

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered a unique cryptochrome protein in marine bristle worms that distinguishes between sunlight and moonlight. The protein's structure reveals an unusual light-induced change from dimer to monomer arrangements, allowing it to synchronize reproduction with lunar phases.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 13, 2023

On-off switch for enzymes

A protein found in bacteria activates its enzymatic activity by up to 10,000 times when exposed to blue light, acting like an on-off switch. This discovery could lead to enhanced and optimized optogenetic tools and medical treatments.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 3, 2023

Specialized technique captures unique protein structures in neuropathy disorders

Researchers have developed a specialized technique to capture unique protein structures associated with neuropathy disorders, such as Charcot Marie Tooth and Dejerine-Sottas syndrome. The technique, ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS), reveals that an unstable mutant version of the PMP22 protein forms a stable complex called a dimer.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2021