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Chemists clarify a chiral conundrum?

Rice chemists disentangled the mysterious interactions between bovine serum albumin and gold nanorods, revealing multilevel chirality and a possible way to sense single proteins' handedness. This discovery could lead to the development of drug-sensing tools with improved accuracy.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateSep 26, 2019

New tool mines scientific texts for fusion protein facts

A new tool called ProtFus screens scientific literature to validate predictions about fusion protein activity, which can help improve personalized cancer treatment. The tool identified 2,908 interactions across 18 cancer types, aiding in the study of alterations of protein networks for individual patients.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateAug 22, 2019

New insights into the origin of life

Researchers have demonstrated that energetic interactions between hydrogen cyanide and water can form precursors to RNA and proteins. The study provides new potential pathways for the formation of life's building blocks, without requiring high-energy photons or metal catalysts.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateAug 7, 2019

Researchers find cause of rare, fatal disease that turns babies' lips and skin blue

Scientists have identified a rare genetic mutation causing a fatal respiratory disorder that affects newborns. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, researchers developed a mouse model of the disease and discovered a critical link between FOXF1 mutations and STAT3 deficiency.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 19, 2019

Uncovering hidden protein structures

Scientists at the University of Konstanz develop a new method to study the interaction between p53 and poly(ADP-ribose) and DNA, providing insights into molecular reactions to cellular stress and cancer development. The research reveals distinct changes in protein structure induced by these interactions.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJun 18, 2019

Cell division at high speed

A team of researchers from the University of Würzburg has discovered a connection between two important regulators of cell division in lung cancer. The interaction between YAP and MMB protein complexes may be a key target for cancer therapy.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 18, 2019

How host-cell enzymes combat the coronavirus

A study found that host-cell enzymes PARP12 and PARP14 play a crucial role in combating mutant coronavirus replication. The macrodomain of the virus is required to prevent these enzymes from inhibiting viral replication and enhancing the production of antiviral proteins.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 16, 2019

How the dengue virus replicates in infected cells

The dengue virus uses nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) to replicate in infected cells, with a key role in viral RNA replication and formation of the membranous replication organelle. A novel interaction between NS1 and NS4A-2K-4B is required for viral RNA replication but not for replication organelle formation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 9, 2019

Why some red wines taste 'dry'

Researchers have found that the structure, concentration and interactions of tannins in wine influence dryness perception. Trained sensory panelists perceived Cabernet Sauvignon as dryer due to its higher tannin content, while added tannins didn't change dryness perception in Pinot Noir.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 8, 2019