Research on how proteins bind and work together. Covers membrane-protein assembly, viral infection, molecular imaging, and drugging difficult targets.
Researchers developed guidelines to enhance accuracy of spike-in normalization, a widely-used molecular biology technique. The study highlights common pitfalls and provides recommendations for improving results.
Researchers at WVU are working on a project to inhibit the myeloperoxidase enzyme, which feeds pancreatic cancer growth. By targeting this enzyme, they hope to boost the body's immune system to fight cancer, showing promise in mouse models and potential for future clinical trials.
Researchers from Japan have discovered that Exportin-5 interacts with a broader spectrum of RNAs, including tRNAs, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and specific mRNAs. This study sheds light on the unique roles of Exp5 in RNA export within Drosophila cells.
A research team discovered an evolutionarily distinct variant of the Hmgn2 gene, oHmgn2, which influences shape preference in medaka fish. The study found that medaka lacking functional oHmgn2 had difficulty distinguishing between shapes.
A literature review examines key cell-cell interactions driving pulmonary fibrosis, revealing complex interplay between diverse lung cell types and intricate processes. The study highlights potential ligands involved in PF, including tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1β, and ADAM17, and suggests targeting CCIs for novel therapies.
Researchers have identified key cellular interactions and microenvironments that contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) after acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice. The study, published in Nature Communications, provides new insights into how damaged cells interact within disease-promoting microenvironments.
Researchers found an atomic-level interaction in collagen that defends it from water molecules, preventing hydrolysis and allowing it to survive for millions of years. This discovery provides evidence that the peptide bonds in collagen are resistant to breakage by water, contradicting previous expectations.
Researchers at Rice University have created a roadmap showing how proteins interact to form the nanometer-thin shell of gas vesicles. This breakthrough enables the development of medically useful GV varieties in the lab, which can be used for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Researchers found that control of most genes doesn't deteriorate with age, but coordination between cellular processes becomes less effective. The study suggests a more complex approach to understanding aging is needed, analyzing all genes simultaneously and their protein interactions.
Researchers have identified two proteins, PARP1 and histone H1.2, that interact with an ALS-causing mutant FUS protein, leading to pathological changes. Inhibiting these proteins may be a possible therapeutic target for familial ALS cases caused by mutations in the FUS gene.
A recent study uses machine learning to analyze 950 microbial genomes, identifying 2,194 potential toxins that could be used as new antimicrobials or biotechnological tools. The researchers also discovered four new toxins with enzymatic activities against different molecules.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that Ecklonia cava polyphenols can protect against neurodegeneration and improve motor function in Parkinson's disease model mice. The antioxidants activate the AMPK enzyme and inhibit reactive oxygen species production, reducing neuronal cell death.
Researchers at TUM have mapped the interactions of 144 active substances with around 8,000 proteins using a new method called decryptE. This study could help identify previously unknown potential benefits of existing drugs and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Researchers from MPI-DS investigated how non-reciprocal interactions can help overcome static equilibrium states in complex systems. They found that these interactions can counteract energy barriers, allowing trapped systems to escape and potentially leading to more efficient molecular systems.
A team from City University of Hong Kong has designed a compact hybrid transmission and scanning electron microscope that can operate at room temperature, offering high-resolution imaging capabilities without cryogenic temperatures. The new system reduces radiation damage to samples and provides improved image contrast using pulse elec...
A study has identified a key factor in how SARS-CoV-2 evades the immune system, which could lead to effective treatments. The researchers discovered that the virus distorts certain proteins on infected cells to inhibit interaction with T-lymphocytes, facilitating viral proliferation.
Researchers discovered that H3K9 methylation is not a simple 'off switch' but rather a 'dimmer switch' that fine-tunes DNA transcription in thale cresses. The study found that two other proteins, LDL2 and ASHH3, play a crucial role in this process.
A new study developed an AI-based approach, DiffPALM, to predict protein interactions with high accuracy, outperforming traditional methods. This advancement has significant implications for drug development and disease treatment, and the researchers have made it freely available for further research.
A study by TUM researchers discovered four subtypes of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) with different molecular processes, including sex differences. The findings suggest repurposing an approved cancer drug targeting the MAPK pathway as a promising therapeutic approach for ALS.
Researchers at OIST have discovered a novel treatment that effectively reverses the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in mice. The treatment, PHDP5, targets the dynamin-microtubule interaction and restores communication between neurons inside synapses.
Researchers found that lithium's efficacy in enhancing longevity and altering body composition is influenced by the sucrose content of the diet. The study reveals a significant overlap between the transcriptional responses to increasing dietary sucrose and adding lithium, suggesting a joint mechanism at play.
A new device can accurately detect protein-protein interactions, paving the way for innovative medical therapies and advancements in gene therapy. The solid-state nanopore device can monitor virus-cell interactions in real-time, enabling better understanding of tropism and targeting specific diseases.
Researchers discovered that biochemical bonds between fats and proteins in the mitochondrion play a crucial role in cellular energy production. Introducing mutations into a specific protein-lipid interaction weakened its structure and lowered its function.
A study led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Jennifer Hurley discovered that positively charged amino acid blocks in the disordered clock protein FRQ allow it to interact with FRH in an unexpected way, leading to a persistent circadian oscillator. This finding has implications for understanding circadian rhythms and their potentia...
Researchers at The University of Hong Kong have developed a novel method to label proteins in specific cells and capture their interactions. This approach, MACSPI, uses a chemical probe to isolate and study tissue-specific protein-protein interactions, shedding light on organ development and disease pathogenesis.
Scientists have developed a new approach to designing materials with useful electronic and optical properties. By stacking antiaromatic units using van der Waals interactions, researchers created highly conductive liquid crystals. This breakthrough could lead to advances in organic electronics, optoelectronics, and sensing devices.
Researchers reveal key findings on the ADAM17/iRhom2 complex, shedding light on its role in controlling signaling molecules. The study's structures show that iRhom2 acts as a gatekeeper to ADAM17 lifecycle, interacting with key regions of the protease.
A recent study by Bryan Roth and colleagues validated the accuracy of AlphaFold2 in modeling ligand binding sites, leading to promising results for drug discovery. The researchers found that up to 54% of potential compounds interacted successfully with the target proteins, paving the way for new treatments.
Researchers have developed a new technique called molecular pixelation, which allows for the analysis of hundreds of proteins simultaneously in individual cells. This provides a more detailed picture of protein distribution and interactions, crucial for understanding cellular function and signaling.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully synthesized a group of natural compounds known as fusicoccanes, exhibiting diverse biological activities. The study leverages modern organic chemistry and engineered enzymes to achieve the synthesis of complex molecules.
Researchers at CeMM and Pfizer have developed a novel method to measure the binding activity of hundreds of small molecules against thousands of human proteins. The study revealed tens of thousands of ligand-protein interactions that can now be explored for drug development.
Researchers at NJIT are developing a hydrogel therapy that prevents viruses like SARS-CoV-2 from attaching to and entering cells. The peptides in the gel form a 'molecular mask' that muffles the virus's action, providing a potential first line of defense against biological threats.
Researchers have developed PaCS-Toolkit to facilitate accessible parallel cascade selection MD (PaCS-MD) simulations. The software package automates the simulation process via a single configuration file, allowing users to explore different conformations and investigate molecular interactions more efficiently.
Researchers assess role of liquid-liquid phase separation drivers in cell division, revealing poor predictive power of established assays. Theoretical models fail to accurately predict protein interactions and localization in the complex cellular environment.
Researchers have developed an AI pipeline to identify molecular interactions crucial for developing new treatments and understanding diseases. The AF-CBA Pipeline offers unparalleled accuracy and speed in pinpointing the strongest peptide binders to specific proteins.
Emerging from a need to understand organelle interactions, researchers have developed OrthoID, a novel strategy that refines protein identification at organelle contact sites. This method uses mutually orthogonal binding pairs to label and isolate proteins involved in cellular communication.
The study found that crowding and salt enhance the aggregation of alpha-synuclein, while also stabilizing the resulting aggregates. The simulations revealed that certain amino acids exist to prevent aggregation and that proteins orient themselves to minimize interactions between these residues.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a new method that enables the efficient production of cysteine-rich peptides and microproteins in their naturally folded 3D structure. The approach uses organic solvents to mimic nature's oxidative folding process, resulting in speeds of over 100,000 times faster than aqueous...
A team of researchers from Kyoto University has developed a microfluidic co-culture vasculature chip that mimics the microenvironment of alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), a rare cancer. The chip enables scientists to study cell-to-cell interactions and angiogenic mechanisms, which may lead to new strategies for treating ASPS patients.
Cells use autophagy as a recycling system to transport and break down damaged organelles, including mitochondria. A recent study reveals the molecular details of how an enzyme called TBK1 participates in mitophagy, a disease-relevant process linked to Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have made a groundbreaking discovery about the Commander complex, a vital cellular machinery. The study reveals that mutations in this complex are associated with developmental disorders such as Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease.
Scientists discovered how water influences collagen formation and assembly. Replacing water with heavy water accelerates collagen production but results in a less stable network. The study's findings offer insights into collagen-related diseases like brittle bone disease and may lead to new materials with controlled mechanical properties.
The Kobe University discovery identifies a new key player for synaptic function, revealing that the poorly characterized protein FAM81A interacts with at least three major postsynaptic proteins and modulates their condensation. The absence of this protein leads to a significant decrease in activity in cultured neurons.
Researchers will develop new tools to understand how proteins interact and regulate the nervous system. The project aims to identify new therapeutic targets for brain disorders and generate diagnostic tools.
Researchers used AI tool AlphaFold to predict and model over 1,400 protein-protein interactions essential for bacterial survival. The study reveals previously unknown details and offers potential targets for developing new antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism behind immune tolerance, where B cells teach T cells to ignore the body's own proteins. This failure can lead to autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis-like Neuromyelitis optica.
A novel mechanism for splicing human short introns has been discovered using the SAP30BP-RBM17 complex. The researchers confirmed that the established pre-mRNA splicing mechanism cannot work in a subset of human short introns.
A team of researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology discovered a phytohormone-mediated switch controlling autophagy, leading to terminal cell differentiation for petal abscission. They found that jasmonic acid promotes petal abscission by activating autophagy at the base of petals.
A new study unveiled over a thousand protein-protein interactions during early embryonic development, highlighting the role of transcription factors like paired-like homeobox (PRDL) family. This research paves the way for understanding embryonic genome activation and advancing treatments for developmental disorders.
Scientists at City of Hope discovered a new cellular mechanism that plays a key role in cancer cells' ability to cause disease. The study identified integrin αV and β5 as crucial proteins that partner to spur cancer cell growth, offering a promising target for new therapies.
Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully simulated the protein complex JUNO-IZUMO1, which initiates fertilization. The simulations revealed a network of short-lived contacts between the proteins and showed how zinc ions destabilize the complex, preventing further sperm penetration.
Researchers discovered a trio of protein segments guiding chromosomal interactions in nematodes, shedding light on the complex process. The study, published in PNAS, provides new insights into meiosis and infertility, with implications for human reproductive health.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have determined the complex structure of Parkinson’s disease-related proteins LRRK2 and Rab29, revealing how they work synergistically to cause the disease. The structures provide an atomic-scale map to trace how different mutations affect function within this complex, with implicatio...
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have developed a novel method to characterize protein-binding interfaces, revealing complex protein geometries. The technique was validated by studying the homophilic interaction between LAMP2A molecules, which form a trimeric structure in mammalian cells.
The study identifies FAM53C as a cytosolic-anchoring inhibitory binding protein of the kinase DYRK1A, regulating its activity and cellular location. This finding may provide potential clinical insights into treating Down syndrome and related diseases.
Scientists at the University of Washington School of Medicine developed a novel protein design approach using AI, creating proteins that bind to challenging biomarkers with exceptionally high affinity and specificity. The breakthrough has implications for drug development, disease diagnosis, and environmental monitoring.
The ATLIGATOR software and its web extension, ATLIGATOR web, enhance protein interaction analysis through a graphical user interface providing pre-generated atlases, pocket collections, and visual interaction data. The web platform offers tools for practical application, including pocket grafting and rational design.
Researchers discovered that prion protein and copper form sticky droplets under oxidative stress, leading to abnormal solid formation. The study highlights the biological significance of liquid-liquid phase separation in regulating copper homeostasis by PrP.
Amyloids have been found to selectively bind with codon-sized RNA, a crucial step in the emergence of life. These interactions may represent a universal genetic code that unites all living beings, increasing stability and order in an otherwise dilute system.
A team of scientists has identified the molecular switches involved in halting heart malformations, which could lead to new treatments for tetralogy of Fallot. By targeting the BBLN protein, they aim to prevent defects in four critical areas of the heart.