A research team led by Professor Byung-Chang Suh has observed the dynamic combination of alpha 1 and beta subunits in calcium channels, revealing competitive replacement and stability. This breakthrough enables precise control of calcium ion inflow inside cells and opens a new horizon for treating high blood pressure and brain diseases.
A new type of molecule blocks the action of genes that drive therapy-resistant prostate cancer growth, reducing cell proliferation by 95%. The cyclic peptoids also blocked a key growth signal in live animal tests.
Scientists identify 10 compounds that protect against age-related diseases by safeguarding proteins from damage. These compounds, known as putative longevity vitamins, may help prolong healthy aging and prevent the acceleration of insidious diseases associated with vitamin deficiencies.
Researchers have used a novel fluorescence-based imaging technique to track shape changes in pore proteins that export molecules into the extracellular medium. The study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying protein function and could lead to new therapeutic opportunities for disorders such as cystic fibrosis.
Scientists at VIB and KU Leuven identify a new protein interaction that regulates the formation of specific synapses between pyramidal neurons and mossy fibers in the hippocampus. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that govern unique interactions in neuronal networks.
Researchers at CRG describe how specific proteins guide Tet2 enzyme to DNA regions needed for cell fate specification. This novel mechanism reveals a new way transcription factors interact with the genome.
A study by Mohammad Asghar seeks to understand age-related kidney function impairment and identify targets for drug interventions. The researcher believes that mitochondrial respiration plays a critical role in maintaining normal kidney function.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine shed light on mechanisms underlying prion disease progression and identified a potential target for treatment. Inhibiting p38 MAPKα enzyme prevents nerve connection damage and promotes recovery.
Dannie Durand aims to characterize similarities and differences in multidomain proteins across vertebrates and bacteria. The goal is to identify design rules for these modular proteins, enabling predictive models that link evolution and function.
A viral protein, W protein, targets critical human cell function to suppress immune responses and promote fatal disease. The findings suggest potential strategies for developing therapies to block the interaction between the viral protein and host proteins.
A study led by Prof. Erich Bornberg-Bauer revealed that de novo genes constantly emerge in non-coding DNA regions and can occasionally acquire functions in organisms over longer periods of time.
Researchers used a computer model to study the effect of increased cholesterol on a specific ion channel involved in regulating potassium levels in the heart. They found that increasing cholesterol levels made interactions with the channel more numerous, overwhelming it and interfering with its ability to open and close normally.
Researchers at EMBL have developed an interactive map of proteins involved in human cell division, allowing users to track protein dynamics and identify critical vulnerabilities. The tool has the potential to advance our understanding of cellular processes and disease mechanisms.
The TCS SP8 FALCON system enables fast fluorescence lifetime imaging and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, allowing scientists to investigate protein environments with high accuracy. This technology facilitates advanced techniques in protein biology, including dynamic maps of protein interactions in living cells.
A study led by Professor Matthias Selbach found that minute changes in Glut1 protein structure can lead to severe cellular disturbances, causing genetic disorders. The research identified a mechanism where flexible regions of proteins interact with other molecules, disrupting cellular processes and leading to disease.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers found that the abnormal form of tau associated with Alzheimer's disease disrupts communication between a neuron's nucleus and cytoplasm. This disruption leads to brain cell dysfunction and death, contributing to neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis create 'blink' method to image amyloids, allowing for non-invasive visualization of these problematic proteins. The technique uses temporary fluorescence, causing amyloids to flash and enabling researchers to better understand their structure and behavior.
Researchers identify key host-virus protein interactions that enable Zika to evade immune signaling and proliferate. The study provides insight into the viral life cycle and potential targets for antiviral drugs.
Researchers captured detailed images of TRPV3, a skin-cell ion channel involved in temperature sensation. The study reveals how a mutation in the woolly mammoth's TRPV3 gene may have helped them adapt to cold environments and provides clues for new treatments of human skin diseases such as eczema and vitiligo.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed semi-synthetic enzyme systems using DNA, which can replace protein cofactors. This innovation aims to create more stable biocatalysts that can be used in industry for climate protection and economic gain.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered a rare gene mutation causing hydrops fetalis, a fatal condition in fetuses. The mutation impairs CLR receptor interaction with RAMP protein, disrupting adrenomedullin signaling and leading to fatal consequences.
Researchers found that RUNX proteins bind to DNA damage sites and co-regulate the recruitment of DNA repair protein FANCD2. This discovery could lead to the development of synthetic-lethal approaches to attack RUNX-deficient cancers, including solid tumours of the breast and leukemia.
A new study describes the structure of an ion channel responsible for detecting odors in insects, revealing how millions of receptor varieties evolved to accommodate diverse habitats. The discovery offers insights into insect olfaction and evolution, potentially leading to innovations for disease prevention and human benefit.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have discovered that eRNAs play a significant role in activating tumor-developing genes. The findings suggest that eRNAs are functional molecules, rather than mere reflections of enhancer activation or transcriptional noise.
Jianhan Chen is studying intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) with flexible 3D structural properties, which account for about one-third of all eukaryotic proteins. His project aims to develop computational methods to simulate flexible proteins and explore the fundamental principles of their structural disorder's effect on function.
Scientists used supercomputers to model HIV-1 replication and identified inositol hexakisphosphate as a key molecule promoting assembly and maturation. This discovery opens a door for developing new treatments and therapeutics.
A study published in Nature Communications provides new insight into the regulation of brain cell signaling, which may lead to better treatments for epilepsy and related disorders. By quantifying the interaction between two key proteins, researchers have identified a specific pattern that can be influenced to control brain activity.
Brazilian researchers have identified a key gene, ScGAI, that accelerates sugarcane growth by regulating developmental hormones such as ethylene and gibberellins. Silencing the gene in transgenic sugarcane lines resulted in increased culm volume and rapid internode elongation.
Researchers have identified two protein domains that mediate toxicity in ALS and FTLD, revealing a key role for stress granules in disease progression. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have identified a human protein, DDX3, that is exploited by arenaviruses to promote viral growth and evade the immune system. This discovery suggests DDX3 could serve as a potential target for new anti-arenavirus strategies.
Researchers at Oregon State University solved a longstanding puzzle concerning kinesins, tiny motors that interact with microtubules inside cells. By altering the design of these motor proteins, scientists can develop new cancer therapies by targeting specific waist regions.
A Kanazawa University-led team used high-speed atomic force microscopy to study GroEL's mechanism, finding two alternative pathways for the protein-GroES interaction. The research suggests a more active role for the football-shaped structure in protein folding, challenging conventional models of molecular chaperone function.
Scientists adapted thermal proteome profiling technique to study bacteria's protein behavior, revealing novel drug resistance mechanisms and insights into bacterial cell function. The technique allows researchers to investigate thousands of proteins simultaneously, offering potential breakthroughs in understanding antibiotic resistance.
A research team at TUM has reconstructed the protein complex responsible for transport within cilia, crucial for cellular movement and organ development. The study reveals a minimal combination of four proteins that start the engine of intraflagellar transport.
A recent Penn Medicine study found that nearly all major neurodegenerative diseases share common 'proteinopathies' present in varying degrees across different diseases, expanding the potential for combination therapy targeting multiple disease proteins.
Researchers at Florida State University develop novel, modular scheme for producing large quantities of 5-8-5 ring structure, opening door to new medicinal compounds. The simplified methodology could aid scientists in understanding potential medicinal properties of synthetic products.
Researchers revealed the structural fold of S. agalactiae CAMP factor, composed of 5+3 helix bundles, with N-terminal bundle responsible for membrane permeabilization and C-terminal bundle for host receptor binding. The study clarifies the molecular mechanism of co-hemolytic activity.
Researchers have identified a way to slow the spread of the flu virus by altering molecular interactions between the virus and host genes. Altering these interactions can stunt viral replication, according to new research published in Nature Communications.
Scientists have developed a powerful method to create synthetic orthogonal receptor-ligand pairs that bind with high selectivity, triggering intended functions without interfering with natural activities. This design approach can be used to reprogram cellular functions in cell-engineering applications.
Researchers discovered that Kapβ2, a nuclear localization signal, plays a crucial role in transporting the FUS protein into the nucleus. The study found that when this system fails, FUS proteins aggregate and form toxic droplets, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases like familial ALS.
Scientists found a unique feature in the 'antennae' of photoreceptor cells, which helps explain why certain mutations cause blindness. The discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying human retinal disease.
Researchers found that neurogranin and FMRP proteins quickly form a complex to enable memory encoding within minutes of encountering a novel context. This process is crucial for understanding how abnormalities in these proteins contribute to human neuropsychiatric disorders.
Researchers developed a mid-infrared biosensor that distinguishes multiple biomolecules in heterogeneous biological samples without labeling. The sensor can resolve protein-lipid interactions and monitor dynamics of vesicular cargo release, inaccessible to standard label-free techniques.
Repeated exposure to large quantities of alcohol in fruit flies reduces the activity of a protein regulating communication between neurons. This study provides new insight into the neurobiology of alcohol tolerance, revealing that ethanol interferes with neurotransmitter release and Unc13 protein function.
A novel mechanism of action has been identified for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, showing promise for a new therapeutic approach. The study discovered that an orally active small molecule, ER-464195-01, suppresses leukocyte adhesion by binding to calreticulin and inhibiting integrin activation.
Researchers discovered that tau protein mutations can increase cancer risk by up to 3.72 times, highlighting a new association between neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. The study's findings suggest that clinicians should monitor patients with tau mutations for their cancer risk, in addition to attending to neurodegeneration.
Researchers have discovered that mosquito saliva can trigger a prolonged immune response in humans, detected up to 7 days after a bite. The study found that the proteins in mosquito saliva interact with human immune cells, leading to changes in cytokine levels and T helper cell responses.
Researchers discovered a protein 'piston' that facilitates rapid electron transfer in photosynthesis. The piston-like motion of PSI subunit is thought to stimulate electron transfer and provide insights into artificial photosynthesis.
Researchers have created a near-atomic-resolution model of tau-microtubule interactions, revealing how tau stabilizes microtubules and forms aggregates that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. The study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease.
A team of scientists at FAU has discovered how protein molecules regulate the formation of myelin sheaths in the nervous system. The study found that Nfat proteins are essential for successful interaction between other protein molecules, and their inhibition can lead to myelin loss and neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis.
A Northwestern-led synthetic biology research team has developed a new biotech technique called GlycoSCORES that promises to accelerate research into protein therapies. The technique uses cell-free protein synthesis, protein glycosylation, and mass spectrometry to rapidly screen sequences for making glycoproteins.
A recent study found that erythropoietin (EPO) helps protect and repair vulnerable preterm brains by modifying genes essential for neurogenesis. The research, conducted at Children's National Hospital, identified five key genes involved in the development of the nervous system and responding to environmental stressors.
Researchers capture images of measles viruses as they emerge from infected cells, gaining insights into the internal organization and potential antiviral strategies. The study reveals a scaffold-like matrix protein acting as a framework for viral assembly.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory uncover how membrane proteins organize three enzymes involved in building lignin, a crucial cell-wall component. The discovery sheds light on the metabolic pathway channeling carbon into lignin precursors, potentially leading to new ways to promote carbon storage or biofuel production.
Talin and α-catenin proteins unfold through stable 3-helix intermediates, enabling recruitment of other binding partners and regulating protein function.
Cadm1 protein interacts with Kaposi's sarcoma viral proteins to promote inflammation and cancer growth in KSHV-infected cells. This discovery could lead to a new therapy targeting human protein CADM1 in viral-mediated cancers.
Researchers have developed a new method for weighing single molecules using light scattering, enabling the measurement of mass with high accuracy. This breakthrough has potential applications in fields such as protein-protein interactions, drug discovery, and point-of-care diagnostics.
Researchers are using machine learning techniques to analyze protein dynamics data and uncover hidden cause-effect relationships. Their study reveals that the signal initiated at the stimulation site of a protein weakens as it moves away from the stimulation site.
The study reveals that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) can directly bind to DNA at NF-kappaB sites, one at a time, turning down inflammation genes. This finding could lead to reinterpretation of previous studies and potential development of targeted drugs.
A team of researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute has discovered a human receptor protein on the surface of cells that malaria parasites interact with as they navigate through the body. This finding provides a key clue in understanding how to develop an effective malaria vaccine, potentially saving millions of lives.