Research on how proteins bind and work together. Covers membrane-protein assembly, viral infection, molecular imaging, and drugging difficult targets.
A study led by Boston University School of Medicine found that a lack of liver protein SIRT1 is associated with lower levels of FGF21, leading to fatty liver disease and obesity. Elevated FGF21 levels, however, transformed white fat cells into brown fat cells, producing heat and burning calories.
A new study uses a technique developed by UB physics professor Andrea Markelz to observe lysozyme protein vibrations, finding they persist in molecules like the 'ringing of a bell'. This discovery opens up a whole new way of studying life's basic cellular processes.
Researchers at Durham University have discovered a natural mechanism in plants that can stimulate growth even under stress, leading to potential improvements in crop yields. The team found that plants produce a modifier protein called SUMO that interacts with growth-repressing proteins, allowing for the removal of brakes on plant growth.
Researchers found that mda-9/syntenin is a driving force behind glioblastoma's growth and invasion. The study identified molecular targets that could lead to new therapies and potentially use the gene to monitor disease progression.
Wolfgang Peti, a Brown University biochemist, has received a $1.625-million New to Diabetes Research Accelerator Award to tackle type 2 diabetes. He aims to develop medicines that improve on the status quo, potentially making insulin injections unnecessary.
Researchers have created a technique called PIP-seq to map all interactions between RNA and proteins. The study identifies potential disease-causing genetic mutations in regions of RNAs where RNA-binding proteins bind, providing new insights into neurological diseases like Parkinson's. The data is publicly available online.
Researchers have identified a key protein, GCN5b, necessary for the Toxoplasma parasite to replicate, offering new targets for drug therapies. Disabling this complex halted parasite replication, suggesting its potential as a treatment for toxoplasmosis and malaria.
Researchers identified a SNP in Cyfip2 associated with cocaine response, highlighting the need for genetic quality control in mouse populations. The study used C57BL/6J and 6N mice substrains developed over nearly a century.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a three-dimensional 'force microscope' that enables real-time study of membrane proteins in conditions similar to those found in the body. This innovation could lead to faster development of drugs and increased understanding of protein structures and functions.
Scientists discovered how mitochondria handle excess calcium, a mechanism that can lead to vascular damage and various diseases. The study sheds light on ways to prevent cell injury by slowing down calcium uptake and protecting mitochondria.
Researchers found that certain mosquito nerve cells detect human odors and CO2, attracting mosquitoes to humans. They identified two compounds, ethyl pyruvate and cyclopentanone, that can neutralize or activate these detectors, potentially developing new control approaches for mosquito-borne diseases.
The RH5-basigin interaction is crucial for the invasion of red blood cells by Plasmodium falciparum parasites. The team found that this interaction allows P. falciparum to infect humans but not chimpanzees or gorillas, mirroring its known infection profile.
Researchers at CNIO have created a massive database of interactions between drugs and proteins, known as FireDB. The database includes over 16,600 compounds and 500,000 interactions, providing valuable information for the study of cancer and therapeutic agents.
Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that a specific protein called RIM1α is modified by SUMO, acting as a 'molecular switch' to regulate neurotransmitter release. This finding has implications for understanding neurological disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia.
The DFG has approved 9 new Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) focusing on topics such as ingestive behaviour, mathematical invariants and metal oxide-water interactions. The CRCs will receive a total of 64.4 million euros for an initial period of three years and nine months.
Scientists found two human proteins, UPF1 and PCNA, that interact with a jumping gene called L1. The study reveals how these interactions affect the movement of L1 within the human genome, providing new insights into the regulation of this volatile DNA segment.
Researchers have made breakthrough in understanding protein polymers' interaction with other self-assembling biopolymers, paving the way for engineered bio-composites for various medical applications. The discovery has potential for biodegradable and biocompatible materials, such as drug delivery systems and tissue growth scaffolding.
A new study reveals that protein imbalances, rather than sequence differences, play a crucial role in mediating reproductive isolation between closely related species. The Lmr and Hmr genes, which form a Dobzhansky-Muller gene pair, are responsible for this phenomenon.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism that targets a protein called ERGIC-53, which is essential for the replication of arenaviruses and interacts with other pathogenic viruses. The findings suggest that targeting ERGIC-53 could result in an immunizing form of antiviral therapy.
Researchers have identified a genetic mutation leading to a reduction in proteins in the brain, causing intellectual disability. The study highlights the importance of unraveling the causes of these conditions, with potential implications for up to 3% of the population affected.
Scientists have developed a system that can construct its own network of tracks, transport cargo, and dismantle the tracks using DNA and nano-scale motors. The system is powered by ATP fuel and uses motor proteins to control the movement of cargo across the network.
A new study has shown that egg development in malaria mosquitoes depends on a switch activated by a male hormone delivered during sex, which could be a viable strategy for controlling the disease. Blocking this switch may impair the ability of the species to reproduce.
Researchers discovered a new molecular target for controlling malaria by blocking egg development in mosquitoes. The study found that a male hormone delivered during sex activates a protein switch, which boosts egg production. This finding holds promise for developing new tools to control malaria-transmitting mosquito populations.
Researchers are studying the molecular interactions between CFTR and SLC5A8 transport proteins in the thyroid gland, which may play a role in moving iodide into follicular lumens.
Researchers have discovered how Pseudomonas syringae bacteria use their ice-nucleating proteins to lock water molecules in place and form ice crystals. This process is triggered at warmer-than-normal temperatures, allowing the bacteria to invade plant tissues and seed clouds with precipitation.
Physicist Jennifer Ross is using a super-resolution microscope to study the organization of proteins and organelles inside cells. By understanding these fundamental workings, she hopes to uncover the universal physical laws governing cell development and organization.
Researchers have identified a protective pathway that helps counteract the toxicity associated with Alzheimer's disease. By preventing amyloid-β peptides from interacting with prion protein, stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (STI1) protects neurons from damage.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed flattened football-shaped artificial particles that mimic immune cells, outperforming traditional basketball-shaped particles. These particles activated T-cells more effectively, leading to improved tumor reduction and increased survival rates in mice.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered a unique way in which naked mole rats build proteins, leading to nearly perfect protein structures and reduced error rates. This breakthrough could one day lead to pharmaceutical treatments that improve protein synthesis in humans.
Researchers have developed a new theory to analyze interacting nuclear spins in solvents, revealing that the Nuclear Overhauser Effect is long-range due to electromagnetic radiation frequency. This breakthrough improves understanding of molecular structures and dynamics, opening up new applications for NMR spectroscopy.
Researchers found that a class of proteins affecting visual system development also appears to affect vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease in the aging brain. The proteins, such as LilrB2 and PirB, physically partner with beta-amyloid, triggering a harmful chain reaction in brain cells.
Researchers analyzed the riboproteome to gain a better understanding of translation and its impact on cancer. The study uncovered dynamic components of the ribosome that can be altered in cancer, highlighting potential therapeutic targets.
Romanian scientists have discovered a novel approach for the optical manipulation of macromolecules and biological cells using green photon beams. This method enables precise control over macrostructures, such as biological proteins, outperforming traditional optical tweezers.
Researchers have discovered that non-coding genes are regulated by protein-DNA interactions and can be targeted with more effective drugs. Using high-resolution technology, scientists identified 150,000 complexes along non-coding stretches of DNA in leukemia cell lines.
Researchers have discovered that a drug increasing sudden cardiac death risk interacts with mistranslated protein-coding genes in heart muscle. The study provides insight into how cardiac death risk might be increased by these drugs, opening the way for further research.
Researchers developed a new program to simulate protein movements by exploiting similarities with robot arms, enabling faster and cheaper analysis. The project combines mechanical engineering and biosciences, aiming to understand protein movement and its potential applications in diseases.
Researchers at NYU and USC have developed a synthetic molecule that targets the interaction between two proteins, preventing tumor growth. The approach presents a new frontier in cancer research, offering potential for the treatment of various human diseases.
Researchers have discovered a new generation of natural food colorings derived from purple sweet potatoes, which offer superior properties to traditional synthetic colors. These antioxidants-rich substances may also have health benefits, making them an attractive alternative for the food and beverage industry.
A recent study by Eva Maria Putz and colleagues at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna has found that phosphorylation of a specific serine residue (ser-727) in the STAT1 protein regulates natural killer cell cytotoxicity. This regulation is crucial for tumor surveillance and preventing cancer development.
Researchers have created a protein molecule that can be programmed to unite with three different steroids, opening up possibilities for biosensors, molecular sponges, and synthetic biology. The breakthrough could lead to detection of biomolecules in early-stage cancer and treatment of overdoses.
Biologists at the University of California, San Diego have identified a quality check system for neurons that uses two proteins to detect and mark defective cells. The discovery could lead to remedies or drugs for human disorders such as horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis.
Researchers have identified a new biological target for combating Parkinson's disease by discovering a compound that eases symptoms in mice. The study found that a protein called AIMP2 activates a self-destruct pathway, leading to cell death, but also triggered the activation of PARP1 and PAR, which can be targeted by existing compounds.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a 3D computer model that analyzes a child's unique anatomy and pinpoints the best location for a defibrillator before implantation. The virtual heart model predicts optimal device placement in children with tiny or malformed hearts, reducing repeat procedures.
Vinculin plays a critical role in enabling cell movement by interacting with the actin cytoskeleton. Disrupting this interaction can lead to chaotic cell movement, impacting organ development and cancer progression.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a protein switch that can increase or decrease memory-building activity in brain cells. The protein, AGAP3, has dual roles: one side strengthens synapses in response to brain activity, while the other side brings synapse-building back down to normal levels.
Arizona State University researchers have received a $1.6 million grant to develop advanced microscopy methods that can capture molecular-scale phenomena in living systems. The technique, called plasmonic resonance, allows for the imaging of proteins and other molecules within cells with enhanced contrast and temporal resolution.
A team of researchers has gained a detailed understanding of aquaporin zero, a protein crucial for maintaining the transparency of the human eye lens. This knowledge could lead to new insights and therapies for treating cataracts and other eye conditions.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have developed a new tool for protein engineering by adding strong, unbreakable bonds between two points in a protein or between two proteins. This technique enables the design of novel drugs, imaging agents, and molecules that aid basic research.
A genetic alteration in the TOP3B gene has been identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia and intellectual impairment. The study reveals a common biological pathway between schizophrenia and Fragile X syndrome, which is associated with autism and learning difficulties.
University of Alberta researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding prion protein interactions, paving the way for designing molecules that can block prion infection. The discovery opens up possibilities for treating human victims and preventing livestock diseases such as BSE.
Researchers found a new switch involved in dosage compensation, which doubles gene activity on the male X chromosome. This switch, revealed to be a hairpin structure, must be unwound by an enzyme before MSL proteins can bind, allowing for functional assembly of the Dosage Compensation Complex.
Scientists from Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics found that the protein MLE molds the RNA strand, allowing it to bind with other proteins. This dynamic interaction enables the entire X chromosome to be covered by the RNA-protein complex, essential for sex chromosome activation.
Researchers developed statistical models to predict which drug is best for a specific individual with a specific disease, considering pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and genetic factors. The framework will help doctors and pharmacists simulate variables like protein-protein interactions and predict treatment effectiveness.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered that reversible chemical tags attached to the PTEN protein can regulate its activity. When these phosphate groups are bound, PTEN becomes inactive, suppressing cell division and migration. This finding may lead to new options for drug design to keep PTEN working.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have made a groundbreaking discovery into the regulation of a key cancer drug target. The study, funded by £2.4 million from the Wellcome Trust, reveals that signalling molecules called inositol phosphates play a crucial role in controlling gene expression.
Researchers at Brown University used a novel approach to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to resolve the key interaction between two proteins. The study reveals that the GroEL chaperone is a permissive captor, allowing the smaller protein to bind at two hydrophobic sites and detach, resulting in conformational heterogeneity.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found a way for intrinsically disordered proteins to modulate their functionality. They used single-molecule FRET technique to study the dynamics of an adenovirus protein and discovered that it can employ allostery to regulate its interactions with other proteins.
Researchers have synthesized peptides that change shape upon irradiation with light, allowing control of protein-protein interactions and endocytosis. These molecules have immediate applicability for studying cancer cells and developmental biology, paving the way for optopharmacology and personalized medicine.
Researchers at Brandeis University have developed a sophisticated computational model that helps scientists understand how viruses spread by analyzing genomic data, virus structure, and capsid formation. The team's tool predicts key structural features of the virus genome and controls capsid assembly.
Researchers found that interactions between tau and amyloid-beta proteins in the brain may worsen Alzheimer's disease progression. The study identified the presence of these protein complexes in human brain tissue and mouse brains with Alzheimer's, suggesting a potential key to understanding the disease.