Research on how proteins bind and work together. Covers membrane-protein assembly, viral infection, molecular imaging, and drugging difficult targets.
Two papers reveal key domains of the MECP2 protein responsible for Rett Syndrome, including a methyl binding domain and an NCoR/SMRT Interaction Domain. Understanding these domains is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Researchers found that viruses like HIV and Ebola hijack the same protein complexes as archaea and humans, using ESCRT machinery for cell division. The study presents a new model system to understand virus-host interactions.
Chang Lu, associate professor at Virginia Tech, is awarded a $710,000 NIH grant to advance cancer research technology using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay on microchip devices. The new test provides ultrahigh sensitivity and aims to study tumor-initiating cells and molecular dynamics.
Researchers have discovered a molecular mechanism that helps stabilize chromosome ends, preventing cell death. The 'telosome' protein complex, formed by sequence repeats and transcription factors, protects chromosomal ends through a VELCRO-like structure.
Research identifies a key gene that regulates both protection against bacterial infection and excessive blood clotting, leading to potential new treatments for deep-vein thrombosis. The study found that inhibiting the enzyme could offer hope to patients prone to clots.
Researchers identified a gene in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans that restricts the flow of cellular organelles from the cell body to the axon, potentially leading to neurodegenerative disorders. This discovery provides new insights into a previously unrecognized trafficking system that protects axons.
Researchers at Helmholtz Centre and Technische Universität Darmstadt discover protein C4BP with eight 'arms' similar to a spider's web. This structure allows for potential use as a scaffold for drug transport, targeting pathogens more effectively.
Researchers discovered a naturally occurring protein that disrupts cholesterol levels in cell membranes, blocking virus entry. The findings have potential for developing anti-viral therapies targeting the endosome compartment.
Researchers have discovered a target for Schmallenberg virus treatment by identifying the nucleocapsid protein as a key building block that can be blocked to kill the virus. The study, published in Nucleic Acids Research, provides insight into the structure and function of the protein.
A new hypothesis suggests that spherical structures in the nucleus, containing FE65 and BLM proteins, can give a wrong signal for cell division. This degeneration and death of nerve cells is linked to Alzheimer's patients.
A single protein, NLP, has been identified as crucial for the correct arrangement of chromosome centromeres in the nucleus. The protein binds to the centromere region and causes clustering near the nucleolus, a process that can impact genome stability and potentially contribute to cancer development.
Researchers used a computer model of integrin to explore its molecular machinery and interactions with the cell environment. The model suggests that integrins cluster together in response to external forces and recruit more integrins when subjected to higher forces.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a novel modification of the lamin A protein that disrupts normal patterns of fat distribution in familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD). The discovery provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying FPLD, a rare disease characterized by abnormal fat accumulation in certain areas...
Researchers discovered that mycolactone, a lipid toxin produced by Mycobacterium ulcerans, disrupts the cellular skeleton through N-WASP activation. This dysregulation impairs skin integrity and cell adhesion, leading to Buruli ulcers. Blocking N-WASP activity with wiskostatin may provide a new treatment approach.
A study published in Molecular Cell reveals that the oncogenic protein SRSF1 promotes cellular senescence by stabilizing p53, preventing cancerous proliferation. The research also identifies a link between oncogenic stress and ribosomal stress response.
Researchers have discovered a chemical probe, UNC1215, to investigate the role of malignant brain tumor domains in biology and disease. The probe targets L3MBTL3 methyl-lysine reader domain proteins, which play a fundamental role in gene expression and cancer development.
Researchers have discovered that nuclear envelope proteins vary greatly between cells in different organs of the body, interacting with specific proteins to cause illness in some organs but not others. This variation may provide insights into rare muscle diseases like Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and other heritable conditions.
Scientists found that people with type 2 diabetes face twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease due to peptide deposits. Researchers discovered the molecular interactions between amyloid beta and amylin peptides, which may lead to protein aggregation and disease progression.
Researchers found that protein erbin is critical to excitement in inhibitory brain cells, enabling them to suppress activity. The discovery sheds new light on schizophrenia and seizures, highlighting the importance of balance between excitation and inhibition.
The Pitt team found that targeting Nef, a small HIV protein, could prevent it from replicating and infecting other cells. They discovered a compound called B9 that blocks Nef activity, impairing its function in the viral replication process.
Researchers at CIC bioGUNE have developed a new pathway to create more reliable glucose-measuring biosensors that can detect glucose in various fluids, including urine. The discovery challenges the long-held paradigm of protein binding mechanisms and offers a promising avenue for improving diabetes diagnosis.
The IFIT protein recognizes foreign viral RNA and blocks viral infections by acting as a defender molecule. The discovery reveals the molecular mechanism behind how IFIT proteins capture only the viral RNA and distinguish it from normal molecules belonging to the host.
Researchers discovered a class of p53 target genes and regulatory molecules that regulate metabolism and senescence in cells. Malic enzymes, identified as novel pharmaceutical targets for anticancer therapy, may also play a role in the normal process of cellular aging.
Researchers found that fire-colored beetle antifreeze proteins protect against freezing temperatures through a combination of direct interaction with ice crystals and interactions via water molecules. This process, previously thought to occur only locally, also happens over longer distances due to the dynamics of water molecules.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that cholesterol regulates key signaling proteins in cells, challenging existing views on its role in heart disease. The research found that cholesterol interacts with a scaffolding protein to activate its partner, shedding light on the importance of cholesterol in cellular processes.
The study reveals a two-finger switch-off mechanism for Rab proteins, which control transport operations between different areas of a cell. This mechanism accelerates GTP cleavage over five orders of magnitude and has potential applications in developing small molecules to switch off mutated GTPases involved in tumour formation.
A new method creates ontology, a specification of all major players in the cell and their relationships, from large datasets. The approach captures known cellular components and identifies potentially new biological components, triggering updates to existing databases.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a master regulator of epidermal differentiation, a complex process in skin development. The newly discovered molecule, TINCR, plays a unique role in directing precursor cells down specific developmental pathways by binding to and stabilizing messenger RNAs.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified a new way in which the chromatin-remodeling enzyme ALC1 is activated. Through biochemical experiments, they found that ALC1's shape shifts in the presence of its activators PARP1 and NAD+, making it accessible to regulate gene transcription and DNA repair.
Researchers develop principles to generate ideal protein structures by consistently favoring specific folding patterns. This allows for the creation of robust and stable building blocks for engineered functional proteins, which could be useful in drug development, vaccine creation, and industrial applications.
Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy provides anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory benefits through its diverse antibody content, benefiting patients with autoimmune diseases and potentially expanding to Alzheimer's treatment options.
Stowers Institute researchers unveil role of MLL3 and MLL4 genes, frequently mutated in certain cancers. The study sheds light on the misregulated mechanism governing histone interactions, which may play a crucial role in cancer pathogenesis.
The Biophysical Society has named Klaus Schulten, Louis De Felice, and Peter von Hippel as recipients of the 2013 Distinguished Service Award, Emily M. Gray Award, and Founders Award respectively. These honors recognize their contributions to advancing knowledge in biophysics.
Researchers used a coupled discrete wormlike chain-Ising model to simulate DNA stretching and confirm two structural transitions at forces of around 65 pN and 135 pN. Beyond 135 pN, DNA strands peel apart into single-stranded DNAs similar to those obtained through thermal denaturation.
Researchers at Caltech have successfully simulated the biological function of a protein channel called the Sec translocon, which allows specific proteins to pass through membranes. The new computational model reveals that both equilibrium and kinetic effects play a crucial role in determining the fate of proteins entering the translocon.
Biophysicists have discovered that the Ras protein forms an upright pair on the cell membrane, contradicting previous assumptions. This finding has significant implications for understanding cancer development and potential drug targets.
Researchers found that rapamycin can extract a balance between UCHL1 and its mirror protein, holding them together in the cytoplasm to correct mistakes in Parkinson's disease. The drug may delay onset of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by correcting protein imbalance.
Scientists have visualised the interaction between gluten and T-cells of the immune system, providing insight into how coeliac disease is triggered. The discovery could lead to a blood test and therapeutic vaccine for patients with coeliac disease.
Biologists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered a new mechanism that may alter our understanding of molecular interactions. The team found that two proteins from the human adenovirus use DNA as an efficient form of transportation to find and interact with other proteins, using a molecular sled-like structure.
A novel gene CIB2 has been associated with Usher syndrome, a devastating genetic disorder that affects both hearing and vision. The discovery provides new insights into the disease's progression and may lead to future therapeutic targets.
LMU researchers have developed a method called Single-Molecule Cut & Paste (SMC&P) to assemble individual protein molecules with nanometer precision. This technique allows for the controlled assembly of complex protein machines, enabling the testing of functional aspects such as enzyme interactions and coupled reactions.
Researchers at EPFL and University of Geneva create k-MITOMI, a microfluidic device that measures up to 768 biomolecular interactions simultaneously. The device accelerates the acquisition of protein-protein and protein-DNA interaction information, crucial for understanding living organisms.
Research reveals that approximately 30-40% of eukaryotic proteomes consist of intrinsically disordered proteins, playing crucial roles in signaling and regulation. These proteins' unique characteristics enable them to interact with multiple molecules, facilitating efficient information exchange through networks.
Researchers have identified 21 proteins that interact with ataxin-1, which can enhance or prevent its misfolding and toxicity. The study found that proteins with a specific structure called 'coiled-coil-domain' promote aggregation and toxic effects.
A new study has outlined how interactions between genes, proteins and molecules direct the development of stem cells into mature heart cells. The research could help scientists better understand how genetic mutations lead to congenital heart defects and assist efforts to engineer artificial heart tissue.
The ENCODE project has unveiled that over 80% of the human genome is associated with biological function, while proteins switch genes on and off regularly. The study provides insights into genetic information control and expression in specific cell types, shedding light on disease susceptibility.
A collaborative five-year project involving over 440 researchers worldwide has published a comprehensive understanding of the human genome's functions. The ENCODE study found that over 80% of the human genome sequence is linked to biological function, and mapped over 4 million regulatory regions where proteins interact with DNA.
A new method uncovered a way cancer cells use HER3 to drive tumor progression despite treatment with HER1 and HER2 inhibitors. Researchers found HER3 could be up to 10 times more effective than HER2 in recruiting accessory proteins that promote cancer growth and metastasis.
Researchers have identified a conserved class of genes responsible for the development of double flowers in plants like Thalictrum thalictroides. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of flowering plants and their ability to coevolve with pollinators.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new method for studying the interaction between pharmaceuticals and their target proteins. The new technique uses infrared difference spectroscopy, which allows for the analysis of dynamic processes in proteins that were previously inaccessible.
Researchers have achieved two significant 'firsts' in studying the human cardiac protein alpha-tropomyosin, which controls heart contraction on every beat. By direct imaging, they found individual molecules to be roughly 40 nanometers long and demonstrated their flexibility, establishing a baseline for normal protein function.
Researchers discovered that FAM123A interacts with microtubule-associated proteins regulating cell movement. This interaction is crucial for normal development and life, as well as disease prevention.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have identified the genetic cause of Winchester syndrome, a rare and fatal bone disease, by studying frozen skin cells taken from a child in 1969. The MT1-MMP gene mutation leads to severe arthritis and osteoporosis, rendering patients incapable of movement without assistance.
A new silicone model makes it possible for researchers to intuitively understand protein structures, positions, and interactions. The model allows users to test ideas about molecular interactions and simulate docking maneuvers, which can lead to innovation in drug design.
Scientists studying photoreceptor proteins could develop new strains of plants tolerant to various environments. Understanding these proteins can also lead to cancer drug therapy for humans.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine and Intel Corp. developed a grid-like array of short pieces of disease-associated proteins on silicon chips to identify patients with lupus. The technology has the potential to improve diagnoses, assess therapies, and design more-effective drugs.
Scientists have discovered how a defective gene causes brain changes leading to atypical social behavior characteristic of autism. The research found that abnormal action of the gene disrupted energy use in neurons, resulting in antisocial and repetitive behavior traits found in autism.
Researchers have identified a shared signalling pathway in mice that leads to intellectual disability in both Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome. The study reveals that the Down syndrome critical region 1 protein interacts with the Fragile X mental retardation protein to regulate dendritic spine formation.
Telomerase is recruited to chromosome ends through interaction with protein TPP1. The researchers identified the exact region of TPP1 where telomerase binds and found that blocking this interaction prevents telomerase from reaching telomeres, causing cells to stop dividing.
Scientists identify key players in the infection warning system within living cells, enhancing the body's defenses against viruses. RIG-I-like receptors and 14-3-3 epsilon protein interactions play a crucial role in detecting viral RNA and triggering an immune response.