Articles tagged with Protein Folding
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Researchers challenged online gamers to predict the structure of a protein-cutting enzyme from an AIDS-like virus using the game Foldit. The players successfully generated accurate models, which were refined and determined to be correct within days.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's brains consistently show lower levels of ubiquilin-1, a chaperone protein that helps regulate amyloid precursor protein (APP). Lower ubiquilin-1 levels disrupt APP folding and lead to the formation of toxic aggregates.
Researchers discover that alpha-synuclein, key to Parkinson's disease, forms complex folded tetramers in healthy cells rather than a single, randomly-coiled chain. This finding challenges existing disease paradigms and suggests a new therapeutic approach.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified a genetic 'lock and key' mechanism in social amoebae that enables cells to recognize kin from non-kin. The proteins TgrB1 and TgrC1, with immunoglobulin folds, act as a lock and key, facilitating cooperation and aggregation among genetically similar cells.
Researchers at USC have found that the energy difference between two alpha-synuclein structures is less than previously thought, offering new insights into the protein's role in Parkinson's disease. This discovery could help explain why the protein misfolds and becomes toxic to surrounding nerve cells.
A novel computational assisted design strategy was introduced to lower the complexity of ZFN production. The FoldX force field-based approach predicts protein-DNA binding energy, reducing failure rates and increasing efficiency in producing customized ZFNs.
Biophysicists at Penn have developed a new technique to study how proteins respond to physical stress, particularly in red blood cells. The technique, which measures the degree of exposed cysteine in proteins, reveals that stressed cells are more fluorescent under microscopy.
A new high-performance method has determined the structure of protein molecules in several cases where previous methods failed. This breakthrough aids in fields like nanotechnology, drug design, and disease research by understanding a protein's molecular shape and function.
Researchers found that Hsp90, a common 'chaperone' protein, helps loose p53, contradicting its previous role in folding other proteins. This discovery adds to the growing knowledge of proteins' adaptability and activity in unfolded states.
Protein folding is a crucial process in the body, but misfolding can lead to debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. Stanford researchers have discovered a new mechanism for protein folding that could aid in developing therapies for these conditions. By studying the chaperonin TRiC, they found that proteins are released from the foldi...
Scientists discovered a molecular assistant called Spy that helps bacteria produce stable, functional proteins. The 'spy' helper aids in protein refolding and protects unstable proteins from degradation.
Researchers have created a novel technique to detect transiently folded protein structures in intrinsically disordered proteins, such as α-synuclein. This method enables scientists to study the mechanism of plaque formation in neurodegenerative disorders and potentially develop new ways to regulate these complex proteins.
The human body produces a human antibiotic, beta-defensin 1, in remarkable quantities despite showing little activity against microbes under standard conditions. However, research discovered that this protein unfolds strong antibiotic activity against lactic acid bacteria and yeast under low-oxygen conditions.
Researchers develop an online game, EteRNA, that uses crowdsourcing and game play to design and validate molecules of RNA. The game is integrated with Facebook and scores players based on how well their virtual designs can be rendered as physical molecules.
Researchers use temperature jump and fast chemical reaction to capture protein folding process, providing detail needed for accurate predictions. The new method offers hope for improving protein structure predictions, which are crucial for medicine and biotechnology.
A Jackson Laboratory research team has identified a mutation in a gene essential for correct protein-processing, which disrupts cellular development and growth. The study found that defects in the chaperone proteins lead to photoreceptor degeneration, central nervous system abnormalities, and male infertility.
Researchers create genetic sequences never seen in nature and produce substances sustaining life in cells almost as readily as natural proteins. The team's work represents a significant advance in synthetic biology, suggesting the construction of artificial genomes capable of sustaining cell life may be within reach.
Researchers found that prions can adapt and change their properties when transferred between cell lines, evolving into more effective strains. The study suggests the normal prion protein may be an effective therapeutic target for diseases like BSE and CWD.
Researchers from Hopkins, Baylor, and Stanford discovered that arsenite affects the TCP protein folding machine in yeast cells, which is also present in humans. This knowledge could lead to developing safer therapeutic alternatives to arsenite-based medicines.
Researchers describe DNA hairpin folding process in water with atomic resolution, finding competition between fast and slow routes and random exploration of microscopic details. This breakthrough has significant implications for therapeutic strategies based on oligonucleotides and RNA interference treatments.
Brown University researchers have discovered the structure of three types of proteins that don't have a fixed shape, revealing how they interact with other proteins to regulate important biological processes. The findings provide new insights into the complex mechanisms underlying these proteins' functions.
Munich researchers uncover the rocking movement of Hsp90, an unexpected pattern of motion that sheds light on its stability and communication patterns. This discovery may lead to more effective cancer medication with fewer side effects.
The Foldit game harnesses distributed thinking to predict protein structures, outperforming computers in some cases. Non-scientists excel at the game due to its reliance on visualization skills, and humans have proven better than computers in certain tasks.
A new study reveals that Foldit players have successfully solved protein-folding problems that are too difficult for supercomputers, using intuitive leaps and strategic thinking. The game has shown promise in tackling medical challenges, such as designing proteins to combat diseases like the flu and HIV.
Rice University researchers have developed a computer program that accurately simulates protein folding dramatically faster than previous methods. The new technique allows scientists to study the roots of diseases caused by proteins that fold incorrectly, which is crucial for understanding diseases such as Alzheimer's and cystic fibrosis.
Tessier is investigating fundamental aspects of misfolding and clumping of three classes of proteins, which can lead to disorders like Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma. His long-term objective is to develop new therapies to treat diseases related to toxic protein aggregation.
Researchers found that GroEL and GroES proteins play a critical role in increasing the maximum temperature for E. coli growth. The study shows a 16-fold increase in GroE levels, indicating a uniquely important role in mitigating protein folding damage.
The study expands protein analysis to C-terminal proteins and enables assessment of specific regions' roles in biological functions. This new approach can be applied ex-vivo or in-vivo and has implications for understanding essential protein functions.
Researchers have gained new insight into protein fiber assembly, providing a potential route to temporal control of fibers with future applications in biotechnology and nanoscale science and medicine. By manipulating conditions, they were able to demonstrate the ability to manipulate fibrous structures with some precision.
Researchers have created a new two-dimensional polymer crystal self-assembled in water, mirroring biological systems. The peptoid nanosheets have unique properties and can be precisely tailored for various applications.
Scientists at TUM developed a novel method to observe local movements in proteins on a time scale of nanoseconds to microseconds. They found two structures of the villin protein that were previously undistinguishable from one another, with different dynamic properties.
A new technique called Fast Relaxation Imaging enables real-time observation of protein folding and unfolding in living cells. The method reveals that proteins are more stable and their thermal denaturation is more gradual in a cellular environment compared to an in vitro setting.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Stanford University discovered how Group II chaperonins in archaea close folding chambers to initiate protein folding events. The molecular nanomachine requires ATP to open and close its chambers, leading to the release of functional proteins.
Researchers identified a new gene, Cyclophilin B, linked to osteogenesis imperfecta's recessive form. The protein plays a crucial role in modifying collagen, which forms the molecular scaffolding of bone tissue.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have identified compounds that activate a master regulator to increase the supply of protein chaperone molecules, which help fold proteins properly. This discovery provides a new approach to address protein misfolding, a common factor in degenerative nerve diseases.
Researchers have discovered a new function of the protein Syndecan-4, which plays an essential role in various diseases like cancer. The discovery sheds light on how proteins' shapes and forms affect cell behavior and mechanics.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a way to shape graphene into desired forms using only a nanodroplet of water. The method utilizes weak van der Waals forces between water nanodroplets and graphene, allowing for the creation of complex structures such as capsules, sandwiches, knots, and rings.
The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of its student travel award, recognizing outstanding students who presented research in membrane biology and related areas. The recipients will receive a travel grant and be recognized at a reception.
The MDC researchers have discovered a crucial scaffold regulating the identification and disposal of defective proteins. The study reveals that the flexible Usa1 subunit tethers specific modules of the enzyme complex, connecting them to form a larger complex to degrade insoluble membrane proteins.
Researchers computationally and experimentally discovered molecular pathways for proteins to change shape without unfolding. They found that proteins follow transient, bridging states lasting less than a nanosecond, enabling function while avoiding unfolding.
Researchers have made significant advancements in imaging live neurons and developing hearts, with a new scope helping premature babies breathe easier. Optical coherence tomography has enabled the visualization of embryonic heart dynamics, paving the way for studies on developmental causes of birth defects.
The Biophysical Society has named eight award recipients for their groundbreaking work in biophysics. The winners include Tom Rapoport, James Hamilton, and S. Walter Englander, who will receive prestigious awards for their contributions to fields such as protein transport, lipid biology, and single molecule biology.
Researchers discovered protein misfolding coincides with loss of heat shock response in C. elegans, suggesting protective mechanism deficient during aging. Early intervention with a 'vitamin' equivalent boosts heat shock response, delaying protein misfolding and extending lifespan.
Researchers compare two methods for studying protein folding: atomic force microscopy and chemical denaturant method. Both approaches reveal similarities in protein behavior, offering new insights into the forces that shape proteins.
Scientists at TUM and Harvard University have successfully programmed DNA to assemble into complex twisted and curved nanoscale shapes. The researchers report achieving precise control over the shape's curvature and twist, with potential applications in building miniaturized devices for biomedical applications.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new method that induces protein folding in nanoseconds, breaking the microsecond barrier, allowing for more accurate computer simulations and paving the way for reliable predictions of protein behavior, especially in disease prediction.
A Boston University-led team has identified the structural basis of acetoacetate decarboxylase (AADase), a key enzyme in carbohydrate metabolism. The discovery corrects previous assumptions about enzyme structure and provides new insights into predicting enzyme functions, enabling the development of novel biofuels.
Researchers found that synonymous mutations determine mRNA folding, influencing protein levels, and identified a class of mutations slowing bacterial growth. This study improves the design of therapeutic genes by optimizing protein production while maintaining cell health.
Researchers use single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer to observe alpha-synuclein proteins changing shape in response to different binding partners, revealing unprecedented twists and turns. This ability could play a significant role in regulating disease-related aggregates.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered that proteins fold incorrectly many times before forming the correct structure, with amino acids central to function causing misfolding. The study, which looked at the Im7 protein, has huge implications for understanding protein sequences and disease balance.
Researchers combined Caltech's experimental technique with UCSD's protein-folding models to understand cytochrome c's precise folding pattern. The models successfully accounted for charge-charge interactions and hydrophobic interactions, matching experimental data.
Researchers at Northwestern University identified a key molecular relationship between SIRT1 and heat shock factor 1 that helps protect cells from damage. By activating this pathway, it may be possible to manipulate lifespan and treat age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a gene that controls protein translation in microscopic worms, allowing them to survive in low-oxygen environments. This discovery has implications for conditions like stroke, heart attack, and cancer, and may lead to new therapies for preventing cell death from hypoxia.
David Baker, a UW professor, won the 2008 Raymond & Beverly Sackler International Prize in Biophysics for developing accurate computer models of protein structures using Argonne's Leadership Computing Facility. His work has led to new insights into protein functions and potential therapeutics.
A University of Iowa researcher and colleagues have discovered a direct link between cellular stress and fatty liver disease in mice. The study found that disrupted protein folding causes abnormal fat metabolism in the liver, which may lead to serious conditions like diabetes and cirrhosis.
David Baker is being honored for his work on predicting protein structures from amino acid sequences and developing new protein folds. His research has led to practical applications in designing new medications and molecular therapies, as well as a better understanding of degenerative diseases.
Scientists at Newcastle University have discovered a mechanism that ensures the correct metal binds to proteins, which has potential applications in synthetic biology and treating diseases such as Alzheimer's. The research found that protein folding location determines metal binding, revealing new insights into protein-metal interactions.
Researchers at NYU and AMNH will model two plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, using bioinformatics to gain insights into protein structure and function. The project aims to annotate the functions of unknown proteins in plant genomes, shedding light on their roles in cellular processes.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory will develop MADMAX, a tool to measure distances within proteins, potentially revolutionizing the development of new drugs. The technology could provide unprecedented insight into protein movement and behavior.
Scientists have successfully detected changes in protein-water networks during protein folding using terahertz absorption spectroscopy. This technique allows for the observation of protein dynamics on a picosecond time scale, revealing new insights into the complex interactions between proteins and water molecules.