Articles tagged with Protein Families
Researchers at Monash and Melbourne Universities have determined the basic structure of one of two known families of deceptive proteins used by viruses. The discovery is an important step towards producing better vaccines and drugs to fight viral disease.
A joint research team has identified alterations in neuronal structure and protein changes in the prefrontal cortex of brains affected by alcohol abuse. The study found reduced levels of α- and β-tubulin and β II spectrin proteins, affecting neuronal organization and functioning.
A new genetic cause has been identified for two common male reproductive birth defects: cryptorchidism and hypospadias. The VAMP7 gene duplication was found to be the underlying cause of these defects in nearly 1.35% of patients, with no similar association observed in control subjects.
New research reveals a melanoma-specific biomarker for predicting immune dysfunction. A murine model of glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma has also been developed, highlighting the role of ER stress in disease progression.
Researchers analyze baker's yeast to uncover key features in cellular development linked to diseases such as Parkinson's and cancer. The study reveals a precise cellular role for DJ-1 family proteins, which may provide new insight into mechanisms contributing to these conditions.
Researchers have identified a new family of proteins called glutamate intramembrane proteases, with the founding member Rce1 playing a key role in transforming healthy cells into cancer cells. This discovery could help lead to new targets for precision drug treatment and potentially develop new ways to stop Ras in its tracks in patients.
A new regulator for plant hormone signaling, the KISS ME DEADLY family of proteins (KMDs), has been identified by Dartmouth researchers. This discovery may lead to improved agricultural productivity and increased crop yields.
A study published in The Journal of Immunology found that inhibiting a group of proteins can decrease inflammatory responses associated with diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and sepsis. This suggests that targeting these proteins could be a potential treatment for various diseases.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry published a series of articles assessing the cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel superfamily, which includes GABA A and glycine receptors. These proteins target neurotransmitters to regulate functions such as muscle contraction, anxiety, and pain.
A team of researchers has developed a novel method to search gene sequences and identify similar proteins across different kingdoms of life. They found that Actinobacteria, a group of single membrane bacteria, is the last universal common ancestor of all living species.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute solved the first structure of a Wnt protein, offering insights into its function and therapeutic potential. The breakthrough provides a new era for understanding the role of Wnt proteins in biology and disease, including their potential as cancer therapies.
Scientists develop a synthetic peptide that disables cancer cells' survival defenses by targeting protein targets, suppressing cancer growth in mice. The compound's synergistic anti-cancer activity with other drugs holds promise for treating relapsed and refractory blood cancers.
Researchers have sequenced two isolates from an E. coli outbreak, providing valuable genomic information to aid in understanding the origins of highly pathogenic strains. The genome annotations reveal unique islands and proteins that may hold clues to virulence or intervention strategies for the new strains.
The American Society of Plant Biologists has awarded 15 summer undergraduate research fellowships to outstanding students for meaningful plant biology research early in their college careers. The fellowships support each student's presentation of a poster at the annual meeting, promoting undergraduate research in plant science.
Women's fertility is affected by chemotherapy due to oocyte quality control, which differs from male germ cells. The protein p63 plays a key role in this process.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have identified a novel synthetic activator of RORα and RORγ nuclear receptors, which play key roles in human metabolism and immune function. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis.
Researchers have identified two proteins, sPLA2-III and group X secreted PLA2 (mGX), as crucial for sperm function and fertility in mice. Mice lacking these proteins had decreased fertility due to impaired sperm maturation and fertilization efficiency.
Researchers at EMBL have identified a whole family of proteins capable of directly responding to the alarm signal produced by PARP1 when DNA is damaged. Histone macroH2A1.1 plays a key role in this process, condensing chromatin around damaged areas to increase repair chances.
Researchers have identified Mcl-1 as a critical protein in melanoma cell resistance to anoikis, enabling metastasis and survival. Depletion of Mcl-1 makes melanoma cells susceptible to apoptosis, suggesting a viable treatment strategy.
Researchers found that HP1 proteins help cells fix damaged DNA by latching onto methylated histones. The study used mouse models to show that one missing version of the protein leads to genomic instability and brain defects.
The cullin family of proteins is involved in regulating the degradation of proteins that control blood cell development. A study published in Blood found that targeting this protein may lead to improved therapies for leukemia and other blood cancers.
Researchers at UCF have identified a new protein family that regulates macrophage activation, potentially leading to the development of treatments for inflammatory diseases. The discovery has implications for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and obesity-induced type 2 diabetes.
The study revealed that Rhesus protein is made by a bacterium, Nitrosomonas europaea, and determined its first X-ray crystal structure at high resolution. This provides important insights into how these proteins facilitate ammonium movement across cell membranes in humans.
Researchers at MIT have identified a family of proteins essential for the formation of communication networks in the brain. The discovery could lead to therapies involving stimulation of neurite growth, repairing spinal column injuries or treating brain injuries or neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers have solved the first high-resolution structure of the mammalian HSP90 protein, GRP94, which is implicated in immune diseases such as sepsis, AIDS, and certain cancers. This breakthrough provides new insights into the function and activity patterns of this protein, paving the way for the design of targeted therapies.
RecA family proteins have been found to function as rotary motor proteins to repair DNA damages through a novel mechanism. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding the molecular mechanisms of RecA family proteins and their roles in cell proliferation, genome maintenance, and genetic diversity.
Researchers at Monash University uncover a molecular arms race between bacteria and the human immune system, revealing perforins as key players in defense against bacterial toxins. The discovery could lead to new ways to fight disease, including infectious diseases and transplantation rejection.
A team of researchers has developed a computational approach to accurately predict the function of proteins with unknown structures and functions. By comparing amino acid sequences to known proteins, they can identify potential substrates and understand the protein's biological role.
The Scripps Research Institute study provides new evidence that Nod1, a key player in the human immune system, shares similarities with plant Resistance proteins. These proteins protect plants from various pathogens, revealing a common regulatory pathway between humans and plants.
Scientists have analyzed vast amounts of marine microbial DNA, predicting over 6 million proteins and discovering hundreds of new gene families. The study provides a glimpse into the diverse world of protein families and their role in biology.
Researchers identified a new protein, JET, required for the circadian response to light in fruit flies. The protein's mutation disrupts the body's internal clock, leading to jetlag-like behaviors.
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a method to create artificial proteins based on evolutionary patterns, sharing similarities with natural proteins. The new approach allows for the reconstruction of modern-day proteins with high accuracy.
The Bcl-2 family of proteins regulates apoptosis and cell death in response to various cellular stressors. Members of this family include anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, which inhibit caspase activation and promote cell survival.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that eight conserved amino acids in sandwich-like proteins are essential for stabilizing the final structure, while also directing the process of protein folding. This finding provides new insight into the interplay between protein evolution, structure, and folding.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a protein called semaphorin 5A that prevents nerve growth after injury. By blocking its interaction with CSPGs, nerves can be freed to continue growing.
Researchers found that Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E) and plexin-D1 proteins work together to control vascular patterning in the developing embryo. Sema3E was shown to exert a 'repulsive' force, guiding blood vessels along their proper course and preventing abnormal growth.
A research team at Johns Hopkins Medicine has discovered a new protein pair that stops blood vessels' growth in developing mice, shedding light on tumor development and nerve regeneration. The study, published in Science, reveals a unique mechanism of action for the protein Sema3E, which works differently from other semaphorins.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a new DNA enzyme, AIRs kinase, with a shape similar to other members of the riboside kinase family. This finding suggests that proteins may evolve using similar rules, and could lead to the design of laboratory tools for testing anticancer drugs.
Researchers have developed a new dye that allows for direct visualization of activated proteins in living cells, enabling high-throughput drug screening. Cdc42, a key regulator of cell movement and proliferation, was visualized with the novel dye 'I-SO', which proved highly sensitive and required no protein over-expression.
Dr. David P. Siderovski, an assistant professor at UNC School of Medicine, has been awarded the John J. Abel Award for his groundbreaking research on RGS proteins that accelerates cell signaling pathway shutdown. The award honors his contributions to drug target discovery and development.
Researchers studied a gene called Hybrid male rescue in fruit flies and found it altered at an unprecedented rate, speeding up the formation of new species. The work suggests that genetic changes can occur rapidly, driving species divergence.
Researchers have identified an abnormality in the anchoring protein ankyrin-B as the cause of long QT syndrome, a rare and often fatal heart condition. The study found that disruption of this protein causes ion channels to function improperly, leading to abnormal heartbeats and cardiac arrhythmia.