Research on how proteins bind and work together. Covers membrane-protein assembly, viral infection, molecular imaging, and drugging difficult targets.
Agnieszka Gembarska and Chris Marine discovered a new way to combat melanoma by inhibiting the interaction between MDM4 and p53, restoring tumor suppressive effect in melanoma cells. This approach shows promise for improving clinical response to treatment, particularly when combined with BRAF inhibitors.
Max Planck scientists have successfully imaged the actin-myosin-tropomyosin complex with a resolution of less than one-millionth of a millimeter. This breakthrough allows researchers to accurately identify protein locations and analyze muscle contraction processes.
Scientists at Hebrew University and Weizmann Institute discover interaction between proteins responsible for programmed cell death, allowing for potential anti-cancer therapies. The study's findings have the potential to stimulate apoptosis in cancer cells by interfering with protein regulation.
IRCMM researchers defined the genome-wide interaction between Stat3 and glucocorticoid receptor GR to control inflammation. This breakthrough sheds light on how these proteins regulate genes involved in development, metabolism, and immune response.
Researchers from RUB have dynamically measured ATP splitting in membrane protein MsbA for the first time, tracking minute changes in the protein and its interaction with ATP. This study provides important clues on how the protein moves during ATP hydrolysis, laying the foundation for further investigation into whole membrane proteins.
Researchers discovered that master regulator protein ATF6α brings a plethora of coactivators to gene expression sites, activating downstream genes involved in the ER stress response. The study suggests ways to dampen ER stress signaling molecularly and could reveal new targets for diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington's Diseases.
Researchers have discovered how a key protein assembles telomerase, an enzyme crucial for preventing DNA degradation and cancer cell proliferation. The study sheds new light on the telomerase enzyme's structure and function, which may help predict its behavior in humans and other organisms.
Researchers have identified a naturally occurring protein involved in generating chronic pain in rats, which could lead to new therapeutic treatments. The discovery highlights the impact of molecular signalling events on nerve transmission and offers promising avenues for pain relief.
Researchers create DCA-fold tool to spot subtle interactions between amino acids in proteins, refining methods for predicting protein form and function. The new method uses genomic sequence information to eliminate possibilities from the range of forms a protein might take.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed approaches to control long-range genomic interactions during gene expression. By identifying a looping factor, they showed that chromatin looping is a cause, not an effect, of gene transcription.
Researchers at National Taiwan University created a two-phase microfluidics technique to systematically stretch polymer strings suspended in fluid flow. By varying wall wettability, flow rate ratio, and Reynolds number, they controlled polymer extension, providing insights into biomolecule structure and behavior.
Researchers at VIB and KU Leuven discovered a novel mechanism for exosome formation involving Alix, syntenin, and syndecan proteins. This finding has implications for understanding the role of exosomes in cancer, metastasis, and other diseases.
Researchers at UTSC used electroanalytic technique voltammetry to study dopamine and alpha-synuclein interactions, finding that higher pH levels and ionic strengths facilitate aggregate formation. The findings could lead to new ways to screen drugs for Parkinson's disease treatment.
Researchers created broad-spectrum antiviral agents against various flu virus strains by engineering proteins found in nature, binding to specific nano-sized targets. This method has the potential to develop comprehensive therapy for influenza, targeting hemagglutinin molecules and preventing viral infection.
Scientists have determined the three-dimensional structure of CLOCK and BMAL1 proteins, which regulate gene expression in response to daily cycles. The discovery provides new understanding into the intricacies of biological clocks and may lead to breakthroughs in treating circadian-related disorders.
Scientists have identified the energy supplier ATP and its binding protein TssM, which drives the export of Hcp through two membranes into the environment. The discovery sheds light on the mechanism of the type VI secretion system, a previously unknown bacterial transport system.
Nanotechnology researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Connecticut have found a solution to the 'filling problem,' which can optimize cancer treatment, wireless network design and microchip manufacturing. The new approach uses a shape's skeleton to fill objects with discs of varying sizes.
A team led by Janine Sherrier is using Medicago truncatula to study symbiotic relationships between legumes and rhizobia, with potential benefits for crop production and reducing energy-intensive fertilizer production. This research could help lower production costs and environmental impact.
Researchers have gained new understanding of how our sense of hearing works, finding a key link between touch and sound. The study reveals that specific proteins play a vital role in detecting high-frequency sounds and has implications for future research into hearing and touch.
Researchers discovered how ARTD1's DNA recruitment is regulated during inflammation, influencing gene expression and inflammation. The protein is cleaved by caspase 7 into two pieces that can no longer bind to DNA, leading to more efficient gene expression.
Scientists investigate the complex relationships between lipids and inflammation in insulin resistance, as well as the role of omega 3 fatty acids and a gene called GPR120 in fighting inflammation. Elevated levels of a protein called PGC-1alpha may delay muscle destruction in ALS patients
Researchers at A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology found that reducing SUN1 levels in mouse models doubled the life spans of those with progeria and tripled it for those with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. This discovery opens up a possibility for therapeutic use of reduced SUN1 levels for other forms of heart disease.
University of Pennsylvania chemists developed a theoretical method and computer algorithm to search for proteins that can crystallize into a target structure. They successfully created the first custom-designed protein crystal, paving the way for better understanding of proteins' makeup and designing new materials.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins identified a gene, methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSRA), that modifies the risk of newborns with cystic fibrosis developing neonatal intestinal obstruction. This study may lead to a better understanding of how intestines work and pave the way for identifying genes involved in secondary complications.
A team of scientists at Duke University developed software to design molecules that block a protein-protein interaction key to cystic fibrosis. The best molecule increased CFTR activity by 12% in human cells with the disease mutation.
The IMEx Consortium provides a single interface for querying experimental interaction data, making it easier to understand an organism's interactome. With over 100 million curated binary pairs, scientists can identify supported protein interactions and compare new results with publicly available data.
A study published in Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals that protein survivin can prevent normal cell death when located outside the nucleus, but not inside. Researchers suggest measuring overall levels and locations of proteins like HDAC6 could provide new leads for investigating breast cancer.
Researchers have discovered two proteins, Kif5B and MAP7, that play a vital role in positioning muscular nuclei on the edge of muscle fibers. The study, published in Nature, sheds light on the mechanism behind this process, which is essential for skeletal muscle function.
Researchers have created a new cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) called mTurquoise2, which triples the fluorescence efficiency of existing proteins, enabling improved cellular imaging with unprecedented sensitivity. This breakthrough allows scientists to study protein-protein interactions in living cells with increased accuracy and detail.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a way to 're-wire' DNA in yeast, creating a new type of biological wire that can be easily re-engineered. This breakthrough enables the creation of potentially complex biological machines with applications in pollution monitoring and cleaner fuels.
Researchers found that proteins and RNA molecules evolved together, contradicting the long-held 'RNA World' hypothesis. The study suggests that proteins were present before ribosomal RNAs were recruited to aid in protein synthesis.
The Helmholtz Association is funding a research project to develop a standardized screening platform for identifying active agents to treat protein misfolding diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The grant will be matched by the MDC, allowing researchers to test larger libraries of potential active agents.
A new study by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers reveals that the size and curvature of nanosurfaces significantly impact protein orientation and stability. This discovery is crucial for controlling protein function in various biological applications, such as biosensors and tissue engineering.
Researchers identify key interaction between JAK2 and SOCS3 proteins, providing potential therapeutic targets for myeloproliferative diseases. The discovery could lead to a new class of drugs with greater specificity than current treatments.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London discovered the workings behind a bacterial secretion system responsible for delivering potent toxins from bacteria such as E. coli and Vibrio cholerae. Understanding this mechanism could lead to the development of new antibiotics to effectively treat bacterial infections.
A new NIH study reveals that resveratrol's health benefits come from inhibiting phosphodiesterases (PDEs), not directly activating sirtuin 1. This finding may pave the way for resveratrol-based medicines and offer alternative treatments for diseases like type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.
Scientists have created a propagation-based algorithm to extract both link-density and link-pattern communities from real-life networks. This approach outperforms existing state-of-the-art algorithms in detecting real-life communities, particularly those characterized by internal patterns of similar connectedness.
Researchers from Rice University and UCSD decipher part of mitoNEET's movements using laboratory experiments and computer modeling. They found that the protein can switch between conformations without unfolding, altering the shape of its critical pocket.
Researchers discovered over 5000 conserved CTCF binding sites across six mammalian species, indicating a key role in gene regulation. These sites are embedded inside retro-transposons and have remained unchanged over hundreds of millions of years.
Researchers have developed a new method for analyzing the spatial conformations of biomolecules like proteins and DNA, minimizing interactions with pore materials. The approach enables the prediction of translocation dynamics of nucleic acids with varying sequences.
A team of scientists recreated the evolution of complexity in a molecular machine by analyzing ancient genes and testing their functions in modern organisms. They found that the increase in complexity was due to complementary loss of ancestral functions rather than gaining new ones.
Gladstone and UCSF scientists have discovered how HIV commandeers human proteins to weaken the body's defenses and enhance virulence. The study identifies a key interaction between HIV protein Vif and the human protein CBFß, which enables the virus to infect CD4 T cells.
A new study finds that nearly all individuals with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) carry mutations in the PRRT2 gene, leading to abnormal neural communication and hyperexcitability. The condition can be well-controlled with existing drugs and often resolves with age.
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have designed a new method to create antibodies that neutralize the harmful protein particles leading to Alzheimer's disease. The process targets specific portions of the toxic protein, allowing for better understanding and potential treatment of similar diseases like Parkinson's.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how the EDS1 protein, a central component of plant defense, interacts with other proteins to activate an immune response. The study reveals that EDS1 is attacked by virulence proteins from pathogens and triggers the activation of distinct immune responses to isolate the infection.
A team of international researchers has developed an algorithm to infer the internal interactions of proteins and generate their atomic details from sequence information alone. This method could revolutionize the understanding of protein shapes and their functions, leading to breakthroughs in biology and medicine.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have designed and synthesized a protein with 242 amino acids, validating a new approach to engineer large proteins. This breakthrough expands the scope of protein engineering efforts, enabling the creation of new antibodies and other beneficial proteins.
A team of scientists at Arizona State University has made new discoveries about the role of insulin pathways and partner proteins in determining a honey bee's caste fate. They found that blocking certain proteins can force larvae to develop into workers, but also allowed them to develop into queens by providing hormone treatments.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are using genomics to improve poplar tree quality as a biofuels feedstock. The goal is to increase bioenergy crop production and reduce dependence on food crops, offering new options for American farmers.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified a chemical known as an acetyl group that serves as a key to mediate protein interactions, which are essential for cell function. The discovery has implications for drug discovery and understanding basic mechanisms governing protein interactions.
Researchers have for the first time obtained an image of the structure and arrangement of apoA-I molecules using x-ray crystallography. This breakthrough may lead to the development of new drugs to treat diseases such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that tomosyn regulates synaptic signaling and plays a crucial role in controlling whether synapses get stronger or weaker, affecting memory formation. Knocking out tomosyn impaired fruit flies' ability to retain memories.
Researchers have identified a versatile inhibitor that prevents viral replication by targeting host proteins, offering potential new treatments for SARS and other coronaviruses. The compound works without harming the host, and its discovery highlights the importance of collaborative research.
Researchers have created a detailed map of protein interactions in fruit fly cells, providing insight into how life and disease work. The map reveals the relationships between approximately 5,000 proteins that cooperate to keep life going.
Researchers studied model cavity and tunnel structures resembling protein binding sites to understand their ability to stay dry. Geometric shields prevent water molecules from penetrating at the nanoscale.
Researchers have found that a membrane protein interacts with a single soluble protein to anchor the subunits of light-harvesting complexes in the membrane. The new model proposes the formation of a pore for protein transport, supporting the integration into the membrane.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered that OPHN1 plays a crucial role in mediating long-term depression at synapses, a phenomenon linked to cognitive disorders. The study reveals that OPHN1 interacts with EndophilinA2/3 to remove AMPA receptors, leading to persistent removal of receptors and onset of LTD.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have created a biosensor to measure membrane lipid levels, which can act as switches turning on or off protein-protein interactions. This technique allows for real-time quantification and monitoring of lipid molecules, potentially leading to new pathways for disease treatment.
Researchers at Arizona State University have made new discoveries about the packaging of DNA in nucleosomes, revealing how genes are turned on and off. The study found that DNA unwrapping occurs rapidly around certain regions, allowing proteins to bind with specific target sites.
The study reveals exactly how dynamin proteins form large assemblies that pinch off bubbles from cell membranes, allowing cells to 'eat' and compartmentalize external items. Understanding these miniature motors may enable the engineering of cells with new functions.