Researchers bring to life proteins' motion
A recent study has provided a more complete picture of how proteins move, laying the foundation for understanding molecular causes of human disease and developing potent drug treatments.
Protein Interactions
Articles tagged with Protein Interactions
TSRI study points to unexplored realm of protein biology, drug targets
Researchers at TSRI devised a set of chemical methods to study protein interactions with lipids, identifying thousands of lipid-protein interactions and discovering small molecules that selectively block these interactions. The findings suggest a wider range of proteins can be targeted with small-molecule ligands than previously thought.
Faster, not stronger: How a protein regulates gene expression
Researchers at EPFL have discovered how a major effector protein regulates gene expression by speeding up its search for chromatin binding sites. By increasing its binding rate and forming dimers to maximize interaction with chromatin, HP1α enhances gene regulation efficiency.
Molecular modeling of novel potent agents for treating Alzheimer's disease
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology developed new agents to inhibit the production of amyloid-beta peptides, a main cause of Alzheimer's disease. The novel curcumin derivatives were proposed through molecular simulations and shown to bind strongly to amyloid precursor protein.
UC Davis awards $1 million to seed brain science research
The University of California, Davis has awarded a total of $2 million to five interdisciplinary teams to explore high-impact discoveries in brain science. The funding will enable researchers to conduct preliminary experiments and develop compelling data to support applications for Brain Initiative awards.
Social networking against cancer
Researchers used social network analysis to identify cancer biomarkers in patient genomic microarray data, dramatically decreasing the number of features to analyze. The approach has been successfully demonstrated for three types of cancer: lymphoma, colon cancer, and leukemia.
A powerful HMMER for data mining
HMMER enables researchers to infer protein function and evolutionary history by identifying hundreds of thousands of related sequences. The new web interface offers fast and interactive visualization tools, making it easier to interpret results.
Plugging in your vision's autostabilization feature
Researchers discovered a key protein, Sema6A, that helps guide axons from neurons in the retina to the correct part of the brain. This finding has implications for treating eye movement disorders and regenerating damaged vision-sensing nerve cells.
Penn researchers develop custom artificial membranes with programmable surfaces
Penn researchers have developed a novel model of artificial membranes with programmable surfaces, allowing for precise control over glycan structures. This breakthrough enables the study of membrane-sugar-protein interactions, which are crucial for understanding diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Aarhus scientists look through the mirror to reveal the secrets of a new drug
Scientists at Aarhus University have discovered the three-dimensional structure of a Spiegelmer, a mirror-image molecule that can escape degradation and detection by the immune system. This breakthrough has enabled the development of a new class of oligonucleotide aptamers with potential therapeutic applications for treating diseases.
Waking proteins up from deep sleep to study their motions
Researchers have developed a new method for studying protein motion by freezing and then slowly 'waking' them up with increasing temperature. This approach, using variable-temperature solid-state NMR, reveals a hierarchical sequence of protein motions, allowing scientists to study individual motions and their interactions.
How an RNA gene silences a whole chromosome
Researchers at Caltech have discovered the detailed mechanism of action for Xist, an lncRNA that silences the X chromosome in female embryos. By understanding how Xist works, scientists can gain insights into long non-coding RNAs and their role in regulating cellular processes.
Discovery may open door for treating fragile X carriers
Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified a potential target for treatments for fragile X carriers, who can experience social deficits and milder versions of cognitive and behavioral disorders. A potential way to boost levels of the key brain protein could lead to symptom easing for carriers.
Electron transfer challenges a common fluorescence technique
Scientists at EPFL have discovered that electron transfer from tryptophan to a heme molecule can distort FRET data, leading to false readings about protein conformation changes. This finding has significant implications for the effectiveness of FRET analysis in studying protein structures and interactions.
Texas Biomed scientist receives up to $2.36 million NIH grant over 5 years to study new virus detection
Researchers at Texas Biomedical are exploring a novel mechanism for Filovirus detection using llama antibodies, which could lead to more sensitive diagnostic tools for Marburg and Ebola viruses. The goal is to develop streamlined tests that can detect all known and emerging strains of these viruses.
New molecular clues about mysterious brain blood vessel disorder
A study published in The Journal of Cell Biology provides new insights into the relationship between two proteins associated with cerebral cavernous malformations. Researchers found that CCM3 has an independent role in cell proliferation or survival pathways, contributing to the severity of symptoms.
Blood thinning drug helps in understanding a natural HIV barrier
Researchers have identified two mechanisms by which a blood thinning agent interacts with a protein that acts as a natural HIV barrier, shedding light on the degradation of the virus. The study aims to develop drugs that inhibit HIV infection without harming langerin's protective function.
Study sheds new light on asthma, COPD
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine has linked a protein called CLCA1 to the overproduction of mucus in diseases like asthma and COPD. Increased expression of CLCA1 increases the number of TMEM16A channels present in nearby cells, leading to more Ca2+ dependent chloride currents.
Molecular mouse-trap technique sheds light on key cell processes
Researchers have developed a molecular mouse-trap technique that aids understanding of cell division and its role in cancer. By studying the structure of proteins involved in chromosome formation, scientists can develop new approaches to analyze complex biological molecules.
New, useful feature of Moringa seeds revealed
Researchers at Uppsala University discovered that Moringa seed protein can be used to separate different materials from water, a process important in mining industries. The study found that the optimal amount of seeds needed varies depending on the material, allowing for more efficient separation.
Motor proteins prefer slow, steady movement
Rice University researchers found that motor proteins collaborate to regulate cell-transport systems by favoring slow and steady movement. Weak repulsions led to maximum movement along microtubules, while strong attractions caused clusters that stopped motors.
Announcing the winners of the 2015 Protein Society Awards
This year's winners are Dr. C. Robert Matthews, Dr. Eva Nogales, Dr. Marina Rodnina, Dr. Sachdev Sidhu, and Dr. Anna Mapp. They were honored for their groundbreaking research in protein folding mechanisms, structural biology, protein synthesis, engineering, and chemical biology.
Damaged DNA may stall patrolling molecule to initiate repair
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that damaged DNA can cause a molecule to slow down its patrol, giving it more time to recognize and initiate repair. The protein XPC, important for DNA repair, stalls at damaged sites due to twisted damage, allowing it to open and fix the damage.
Cell imaging gets colorful
Researchers have developed a new method for detecting and imaging protein-protein interactions in live cells using color changes, enabling immediate visualization of biochemical events. The FPX technique converts biochemical processes into dramatic green to red color changes.
Using viruses to find the cellular Achilles heel
Two deadly viruses, hepatitis C and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, were found to target common host proteins that are critical for human biology. By studying protein interactions between viruses and cells, scientists have identified potential new targets for anti-viral treatments.
A chemical modified version of the second messenger cAMP
Scientists create a chemical modified version of second messenger cAMP that selectively activates only Epac2, one of several proteins involved in insulin secretion. The analogue activates Epac2 more potently than cAMP itself, offering insights into the protein's function and potential as a pharmacological target.
New trick found for how cells stay organized
New evidence from Johns Hopkins researchers reveals that RNA granules have a dynamic envelope that stabilizes them, separating them from the surrounding watery space. This discovery provides insight into how cells organize their contents and activities.
CNIO scientists discover a novel molecular mechanism involved in the formation of the skin
Researchers at CNIO have identified a key regulator of keratinocyte differentiation, Fra-2, which plays a crucial role in the formation of human skin. The study reveals that activation of Fra-2 induces premature differentiation and may hold promise for treating skin diseases.
New target identified for potential brain cancer therapies
Scientists have discovered a novel interaction between AEG-1 and Akt2 proteins that regulates malignant characteristics of GBM, offering new therapeutic potential. Disrupting this interaction in preclinical experiments showed reduced GBM cell survival and invasion.
Danish researchers 1 step closer towards a cocaine antidote
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have gained new insight into the dopamine transporter mechanism, which could lead to the development of a cocaine antidote. The discovery highlights an interaction between amino acids that controls access for dopamine to its binding site in the protein.
New drug design enhances brain signaling by a factor of 1,000
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have designed new peptides that interact with gephyrin to enhance brain signaling, with effects up to 1,000 times stronger than natural counterparts. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for mental disorders with fewer side effects.
Plant genetic advance could lead to more efficient conversion of plant biomass to biofuels
Researchers have identified gene regulatory networks controlling cell wall thickening in plants, a major impediment to extracting sugars for biofuels. The study offers a framework for future research to engineer energy crops for more efficient biofuel production.
Penn scientists identify patterns of RNA regulation in the nuclei of plants
Researchers found conserved sequences and inverse relationships between RBP binding and RNA structure, suggesting a regulatory role in gene expression. They also identified unique patterns around start codons and links to alternative splicing and polyadenylation processes.
Molecular network identified underlying autism spectrum disorders
A molecular network composed of 119 proteins has been identified as a crucial contributor to autism spectrum disorders. The network shows strong enrichment for known autism genes and is linked to disruptions in brain circuitry, particularly the corpus callosum.
'Hairclip' protein mechanism explained
A team of scientists identified a key mechanism by which proteins change shape in response to different conditions. This discovery has significant implications for understanding how to manipulate proteins, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases.
Scientists discover tiny gene fragments linked to brain development and autism
Researchers at the University of Toronto discovered that microexons, small segments of genes, influence protein interactions in the nervous system. The study found that misregulation of this process can have major effects on how proteins function, particularly in individuals with autism.
UCL discovery in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Researchers at UCL discovered how a protein, RcsF, triggers an alarm system in bacteria to defend against antibiotics. This discovery provides a new target for developing new antibiotics and could help combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Uncovering complex network structures in nature
Researchers discover that most typical networks are robust to both random and deliberate attacks, contrary to previous thought. They propose a simple method to explore the mathematical space of all interesting networks with a particular node degree distribution.
Now researchers can see how unfolded proteins move in the cell
University of Illinois researchers have developed a specialized microscope to study the movement of unfolded proteins in cells. They found that these proteins slow down and interact with chaperones, which can lead to cell dysfunction and disease. The discovery provides insight into protein-misfolding diseases.
Light switchable proteins and superresolution reveal moving protein complexes
Researchers use photoactivatable complementary fluorescent proteins to observe and quantify protein-protein interactions in live cells with single molecule level precision. The technique reveals a surprisingly critical role for a previously uncharacterized EB1 linker region in tracking microtubule plus-ends.
Virginia Tech researchers connect sleep cycle, cancer incidence
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a link between the body's sleep cycle and cancer incidence. The human period 2 protein, which regulates the sleep cycle, was found to protect against sporadic forms of cancers. This breakthrough may lead to new prevention strategies for populations at risk due to circadian disruption.
Mapping the interactome
Researchers at the National University of Singapore have comprehensively described the network of proteins involved in cell-cell adhesions. The study reveals 561 proteins associated with E-cadherin, including adaptor proteins and those involved in cellular transport and protein synthesis.
Study to investigate the role of proteins in dementia
A study at Plymouth University is exploring how proteins interact to build up in nerve cells, potentially leading to dementia diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The research aims to understand the mechanism behind protein deposits and may one day lead to new therapies for patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.
Salk scientists unveil powerful method to speed cancer drug discovery
Salk scientists unveil a new method that enables detection of fleeting protein interactions, which could dramatically accelerate cancer drug discovery. The ReBiL method, published in Cell Reports, provides an immediate platform to screen for badly needed new drug candidates.
TSRI researchers find how mutant gene can cause deafness
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have discovered how a mutant gene called Tmie can cause deafness from birth. They found that reintroducing the gene in mice restored the process underpinning hearing, suggesting new treatment options for hearing loss.
Rutgers Chemistry's Ki-Bum Lee patents technology to advance stem cell therapeutics
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a platform called NanoScript, which can interact with endogenous DNA and regulate gene expression. This technology has great potential for advancing stem cell therapeutics and treating debilitating injuries and diseases such as Parkinson's disease and spinal cord trauma.
Golden approach to high-speed DNA reading
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley have developed a method to produce graphene nanopores with integrated optical antennas, enabling direct optical DNA sequence detection. This approach opens new avenues for simultaneous electrical and optical nanopore DNA sequencing and regulating DNA translocation.
Scripps Florida scientists uncover major factor in development of Huntington's disease
Researchers found that huntingtin protein activates signaling by mTORC1, leading to premature disease onset and worsening symptoms. The study offers new target for drug development, potentially preventing neurodegeneration through reduced mTORC1 activation.
A new dent in HIV-1's armor
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a new protein, Ssu72, that plays a critical role in HIV replication. The team found that Ssu72 binds to the Tat protein, revving up the engine of viral replication and potentially making it a target for drug therapy.
Cornell chemists show ALS is a protein aggregation disease
ALS is now believed to be a protein aggregation disease, with copper-containing proteins playing a critical role in its development. The research found that SOD1 mutations cause the protein structure to destabilize, leading to increased motion and aggregation.
Special chromosomal structures control key genes
Researchers discovered that DNA scaffolding plays a crucial role in controlling gene expression by forming topologically associated domains. These domains contain super enhancer regions that enhance or repress gene activity.
Researchers unfold new details about a powerful protein
A team of researchers uncovered how Protein Kinase A II-beta changes shape in response to cAMP, revealing its internal architecture and ability to regulate energy consumption and hormone interactions.
UCSF, UC Berkeley scientists join forces in new Glenn Center for Aging Research
Researchers will explore protein quality-control decline in dementias, illnesses. Badly formed proteins can lead to devastating physiological consequences by acting as templates, spreading misfolding like an infection.
A molecular mechanism involved in cellular proliferation characterized
Researchers from CNIO have characterized a key protein interaction that regulates cellular proliferation; this discovery may aid in developing new anti-microtubule drugs to combat cancer. The study's findings provide insights into the molecular basis of microtubule assembly during cell division.
Case Western Reserve University on track to become No. 1 synchrotron lab in world
The Case Center for Synchrotron Biosciences will assemble cutting-edge Nnew beamlines at Brookhaven National Laboratory, delivering ultra powerful x-rays to visualize nano-scale structures of molecules and proteins. The new facility will enable scientists to pinpoint disease-causing vulnerabilities and target therapeutic interventions.
Stanford researchers create 'evolved' protein that may stop cancer from spreading
A team of Stanford researchers has developed a protein therapy that disrupts the process of metastasis, which causes cancer cells to break away and spread. The treatment uses a harmless version of Axl protein that acts like a decoy to prevent Gas6 proteins from linking with it.
Nanoscience makes your wine better
Researchers at Aarhus University developed a nanosensor to measure the effect of astringency in wine, allowing for better control over taste. The sensor uses salivary proteins to mimic mouth sensations, expanding understanding of astringency and its impact on wine quality.
A novel therapy for sepsis?
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have found that PTX3, a protein involved in innate immunity, can reduce mortality from sepsis by protecting endothelial cells from damage. The study's findings suggest that PTX3 may be used to develop a novel therapy for sepsis.
Protein courtship revealed through chemist's lens
A new method allows researchers to observe ultra-weak protein-protein interactions, which are crucial for protein cooperation and disease prevention. This discovery has significant implications for pharmaceutical development, disease research, and understanding of protein aggregation.
Scientists call for investigation of mysterious cloud-like collections in cells
Researchers are urging experts to study the functions of 'assemblages' - cloud-like protein formations that may hold clues to new treatments for diseases like Ewing sarcoma. These assemblages are made up of intrinsically disordered proteins that can trap and interact with other biological molecules.