Articles tagged with Protein Functions
Researchers discovered a new signaling pathway allowing plants to adjust protein production in minutes, not hours. Short sequence elements in messenger RNA act as molecular switches, enabling direct regulation of protein synthesis.
A new study from the University of Georgia suggests marigold flowers contain similar amounts of protein as quinoa, making them a potential plant-based protein source. The flower's proteins also exhibit unique properties, such as stability at high temperatures and umami flavor, which could make it ideal for baking and food formulation.
Researchers at Texas A&M University develop a laser technique called TRIP to directly measure quantum forces shaping proteins, enabling accurate prediction of how pharmaceutical drugs interact with them. This breakthrough could lead to the design of medicines tailored to specific diseases, revolutionizing precision medicine.
Scientists discovered that internal structure of polymer nanoparticles plays a key role in controlling ice growth, contrary to previous designs that focused on surface interactions. Changing the inner core's chemistry can effectively inhibit ice recrystallisation.
Researchers seek to understand the biological mechanisms behind Ewing sarcoma's rapid growth and spread, developing new tools to visualize DNA structures and regulate gene expression. This could lead to personalized cancer treatments targeting specific molecules for improved patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a novel gene therapy platform that successfully restored muscle function in preclinical models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by delivering full-length mRNA of the DMD gene via engineered extracellular vesicles. The treatment showed improved muscle strength, endurance, and function without serious side effects.
Researchers have uncovered the structural basis of Argonaute assembly, revealing that chaperone proteins hold it in an open conformation allowing miRNA loading. The study also found that RNA plays a key role in guiding Argonaute folding.
Researchers found that condensing into droplets optimizes biochemical conditions for kinases to catalyze reactions and activate cell signaling pathways. This phenomenon helps control growth signals and could lead to new strategies for cancer drug development by interfering with the ability of enzymes to form droplets.
Researchers discovered that overproduction of a DNA repair protein creates DNA damage mimicking BRCA mutations, which may respond to targeted treatments. Tumors with high levels of EXO1 protein exhibit characteristics similar to BRCA-mutant cells, suggesting personalized therapies could be effective.
Researchers identify energetic frustration in p53's sequence as a key factor in its fragility. The study shows that p53's flexibility comes at a high cost, allowing it to perform roles but making it prone to misfolding and aggregation. This knowledge offers a roadmap for cancer treatment by targeting specific regions sensitive to water.
A team of scientists has uncovered more than 1,700 new proteins known as peptideins, which are smaller than traditional proteins and may have unique biology. These proteins were found in the 'dark proteome', a section of DNA previously overlooked, and could have implications for human diseases like cancer.
The UK-led OpenBind initiative has released its first publicly available dataset and predictive AI model, accelerating the discovery of new medicines using artificial intelligence. The release showcases high-quality, standardized experimental data and a trained predictive model, enabling researchers worldwide to drive the next generati...
Researchers discover zinc levels control endoplasmic reticulum redox enzymes necessary for proper protein folding. Zinc surge disrupts oxidative folding, leading to protein misfolding and cellular defects.
Researchers have captured the most detailed structural images to date of a specific type of protein's DNA repair process, revealing key steps in its repair activities. The findings provide insights for drug targets that could halt the process in cancer cells empowered by mutated BRCA genes.
Neutron scattering reveals a new type of protein motion that depends on the surrounding environment within assemblies. The observed behaviour, known as non-Fickian diffusion, shows that molecular motion can no longer be described by a single uniform rule across the whole system.
A study at University at Buffalo found that L-arginine enhances protein droplet stability, preventing fibril conversion and preserving microtubule assembly. This naturally occurring small molecule may help guide therapies targeting fibril formation in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed a machine-learning model to predict protease behavior, enabling more precise and effective treatments. The ProSSpeC calculator suggests engineered synthetic proteases that outperform widely used enzymes.
Researchers at NUS have developed a paired protein language model (PPLM) to predict protein interactions, improving accuracy by up to 17% over leading methods. The model has strong performance across multiple tasks and can capture biologically meaningful relationships between proteins.
Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a suite of AI-powered tools, called YuelDesign, YuelPocket and YuelBond, to transform how new drugs are created. These tools can design drug molecules tailored to fit their protein targets exactly, even accounting for protein flexibility.
A research team has discovered how mechanosensitive ion channels trigger the selective breakdown of damaged ER fragments via calcium signaling. This process involves the coordinated action of ER-phagy receptor FAM134B and lipidated LC3, and has implications for understanding diseases associated with ER dysfunction.
A team from Emory University developed a simple method to test the accuracy of protein language models, which are used to analyze complex biological data. By comparing how these models 'embed' natural proteins versus synthetic ones, researchers can estimate their reliability and improve their performance.
Researchers have repurposed a bacterial DNA synthesis system to enable DNA to act as an active 'field agent' inside living cells. This allows for the creation of programmable DNA fragments that can regulate gene expression and control protein behavior.
A large-scale computational study found that point-of-origin effects significantly influence protein diversification, with relatively small divergence seen from ancestral proteins. The research reinforces existing theories on initial protein formation and highlights the limitations of modern AI protein design methods.
Huntington's disease is caused by a toxic protein that builds in brain cells and spreads to other cells through tunneling nanotubes. Disrupting this pathway reduces the spread of the disease-causing protein, suggesting a new target for therapy.
BRIGHT at DTU joins forces with Novonesis to develop microbes that can efficiently utilize acetic acid produced from captured carbon, enabling the production of sustainable protein. The collaboration aims to accelerate microbial fermentation and reduce costs, ultimately contributing to a circular bioeconomy.
Cells use a previously unknown molecular mechanism to protect host organisms from disease, revealing a 'beautiful' ring structure on the cell membrane that enables targeted cell death. This discovery has implications for biological resilience, immunity, and potential applications in plant resilience and human medicine.
A recent study at the Universities of Bonn and Freiburg has discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which mitochondria influence lipid storage in cells. The molecular machine MIM complex and enzyme Ayr1 play key roles in this process, which affects cellular lipid metabolism.
Researchers at the Institute for Glyco-core Research discovered how FUT8 is regulated by proteases SPP and SPPL3, essential for core fucosylation. This understanding may lead to new treatments targeting this cellular pathway, particularly in cancer and immune disorders.
Researchers developed a free-to-use software tool, PSBench, to verify the accuracy of artificial intelligence-based protein structure predictions. The database includes 1.4 million annotated protein models, verified by experts, and provides reliable information for building more accurate AI systems.
Actin filaments and a fast plant motor protein called Chara corallina myosin XI (Cc XI) were combined to observe spontaneous ring formation. The rings rotated continuously in one direction and remained fixed, even as individual filaments moved within them.
Researchers discovered that levetiracetam prevents the production of toxic amyloid-beta 42 peptides and plaques in neurons. Administering the drug to high-risk individuals may slow cognitive decline and prevent Alzheimer's symptoms if started early, possibly up to 20 years before symptoms appear.
Researchers have developed a new class of engineered nanoparticles that can bind to and degrade specific disease-related proteins. This technology has the potential to treat diseases such as dementia and brain cancer by eliminating harmful proteins.
Researchers at Colorado State University used AI to modify antibodies into stable intrabodies that can visualize histone modifications in real-time. This allows for better understanding of gene expression and its relationship with cancer and other disorders. The team created 19 new antibody-based probes with a 70% success rate, signifi...
Researchers uncover a key ion channel, TRPM4, that regulates intestinal fluid balance and identify a new druggable site. This discovery provides a blueprint for designing targeted treatments for gastrointestinal disorders.
A high-protein diet rich in casein and wheat gluten can significantly reduce the amount of cholera bacteria able to infect the gut. The study found that these dietary components can suppress a key structure on the surface of cholera bacteria, making it difficult for the pathogen to colonize and cause harm.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered a hidden molecular control switch inside the protein TRPM5, which regulates taste, blood sugar control and gut health. The switch can be activated or inhibited by small molecules, unlocking new opportunities for therapeutic development.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev identified SIRT6 as a critical upstream drug target for combating neurodegenerative pathology. By reprogramming gene expression, SIRT6 prevents the production of neurotoxic tryptophan metabolites and promotes protective neurotransmitters.
The NAC protein complex regulates protein synthesis by slowing down the early stages of protein formation to ensure a smooth process. This optimization allows for reduced risk of collision and coordinates subsequent folding and logistics processes.
A study published in Science Signaling has identified the MRAP2 protein as a key player in supporting the function of appetite-regulating proteins MC3R and MC4R. The findings suggest that mutations in this protein may contribute to reduced energy balance and obesity risk.
Researchers at the University of Plymouth investigate why drugs used to treat other tumours are ineffective against NF2-related schwannoma and meningioma tumours. They explore repurposing clinically tested cancer drugs to target MDR mechanisms, which may lead to effective therapies for patients with these tumours.
A new iron transporter protein, OsIET1, has been identified in rice, crucial for delivering iron to young leaves. The study reveals OsIET1 mediates inter-vascular Fe transfer, promoting optimal plant growth and productivity.
A new study reveals that kinase inhibitors can accelerate the degradation of targeted proteins, which is not a rare quirk but a common mechanism. This discovery could help design better drugs that remove kinases altogether or explain unexpected effects of existing therapies.
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.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that biliverdin reductase A plays a direct protective role against oxidative stress in neurons, independent of its role producing bilirubin. The enzyme modulates another key protein, NRF2, which regulates the levels of protective proteins and antioxidants in cells.
Researchers at Graz University of Technology have developed a new approach to understand protein function and stability, identifying amino acids crucial for both with high accuracy. The FSA method combines machine-learning-generated sequences with natural sequences, revealing functional and structural significance of amino acids.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo developed a rapid cell-free method to capture detailed 3D structures of flexible sugar molecules, including the first atomic-resolution image of melezitose. The study offers a powerful tool for accelerating research in drug discovery and molecular biology.
Researchers have developed new calcium channels that can be precisely controlled to study cellular signaling. The channels, built using artificial intelligence, were designed to mimic natural calcium channels and demonstrate their potential as tools for biomedical research.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new technology that improves protein production efficiency in E. coli by reducing ribosome stalling. By identifying short translational-enhancing peptides, they created an AI prediction model to accurately predict translation enhancement strength for all 160,000 possible tetrapeptides.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown genetic disease, MINA syndrome, which damages motor neurons and affects movement and muscle control. The disease is caused by a rare genetic mutation in the NAMPT protein, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and foot deformities.
Lehigh University researchers used machine learning to compare bone marrow extracted from the hip and shoulder, finding six proteins that distinguish between the two extraction sites. This study may lead to standardized BMAC extraction protocols and personalized treatments based on protein concentrations.
A new mathematical framework, STIV, can predict larger-scale effects like proteins unfolding and crystals forming without costly simulations or experiments. The framework solves a 40-year-old problem in phase-field modeling, allowing for the design of smarter medicines and materials.
A team of scientists has created a detailed model of how cells regulate traffic through the nuclear pore complex, revealing that flexible protein chains create an entropic barrier that admits only properly escorted cargo. This breakthrough sheds light on diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and ALS, where this transport system fails.
Researchers at WashU have gained unprecedented views of a protein linked to ALS and FTD, revealing unique shapes that may contribute to disease progression. The discovery opens doors to new approaches for treatment and prevention, with the team planning further experiments to understand the protein's role in health and disease.
A major international study has identified two enzymes that play a crucial role in helping prostate cancer cells grow and survive. Blocking these enzymes can destabilize the androgen receptor, making tumours more vulnerable to existing therapies.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered how protein condensates contribute to cellular information exchange. The study found that P-body and Whi3 condensates work together to stop cell division when a cell becomes old, as well as control the cell's decision to abandon mating attempts in old age.
Researchers designed synthetic membrane proteins with enhanced stability using computer programs, revealing the structural basis of how some maintain their shape. The study provides new rules of sequence and atomic arrangements essential for membrane protein function and will help identify genetic mutations contributing to disease.
A new study reveals how pathogenic bacteria construct Eut microcompartments to digest ethanolamine, a nutrient commonly found in the gut. Understanding their assembly offers new targets for antimicrobial therapies.
Researchers at the University of Bath develop a peptide fragment that locks alpha-synuclein into its healthy shape, blocking toxic clumps that cause nerve cell death. The breakthrough demonstrates the potential of rational peptide design to transform large proteins into compact drug-like molecules.
Researchers developed a molecular tool called SCOPE that can capture proteins binding to DNA, enabling identification of protein regulators. The tool was used to discover new protein regulators of human stem cell-related genes, revealing the roles of two proteins in maintaining stem cells and one in inducing differentiation.
UCLA researchers have identified two key proteins, HuR and CEACAM1, that act as protective switches to prevent damage in damaged livers. By boosting this protection, organs deemed unsuitable for transplantation could be made suitable for use.