Research on how proteins bind and work together. Covers membrane-protein assembly, viral infection, molecular imaging, and drugging difficult targets.
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) presented the following researchers with prestigious awards for their contributions to pharmaceutical sciences: Ho-Leung Fung, Dale E. Wurster, Michael G. Bartlett, Peter A. Crooks, Abu T.M. Serajuddin, Meindert Danhof, Sa...
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a feedback cycle involving microRNAs, proteins called ZEB1 and ZEB2, and pregnancy-maintaining hormone progesterone. MicroRNA levels increase before labor, enabling uterine contractions.
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a protein mechanism that coordinates and regulates the dynamics of shape change necessary for cell division. The discovery has immediate medical implications, as cell division is a major target of anticancer drugs.
Scientists at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics identified a genetic variant influencing left-right hand preference in individuals with dyslexia. The study found a strong link between PCSK6 gene variants and relative hand skill, suggesting a novel genetic basis for handedness.
Researchers discovered that FoxO1, a multi-tasking protein, promotes an inflammatory response in macrophages, leading to insulin resistance and diabetes. Conversely, it generates a negative feedback loop to limit damage from excessive inflammation.
Researchers have created a novel 'on-off switch' using a plant's light-activated proteins to control cell functions. The blue-light switch has been successfully tested in yeast, mammalian cells and cultured rodent brain tissue, offering a new approach for controlling cell growth, death and delivering medication directly to diseased cells.
Researchers found that the Reaper protein triggers apoptosis by interfering with inhibitor of apoptosis proteins and delivering its death sentence to the mitochondria. By targeting the protein to the mitochondrial membrane, it can be made more effective at killing cells, providing a potential new approach for cancer treatments.
Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered a 100-million-year-old gene mutation that led to differences in how plants produce male and female parts. The study found that the mutation, which occurred around 20 million years ago, creates a new role for one of the duplicate genes, enabling it to make both male and female parts.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in Ewing's sarcoma treatment with the discovery of a novel small molecule that blocks key protein interactions. The $4.37 million NCI grant will fund preclinical toxicology studies to accelerate the development process.
A scientist at Florida State University has developed innovative techniques to characterize proteins, enabling faster and more accurate prediction of their structure and dynamics. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs targeting specific proteins and designing new molecular machines.
Researchers found that an enzyme associated with fat storage in liver cells is required for HCV infectious activity. DGAT1 inhibitors may be effective against HCV, with several already in early clinical trials to treat obesity-associated diseases.
Researchers created a new method called BLINC to directly observe protein-protein interactions in live brain cells. They found that synaptic activity affects the growth of a complex that mediates signaling into neurons, leading to excitatory synapse maturation.
A team of researchers discovered how a plant hormone binds two proteins together, triggering a dynamic form of plant immunity. The study reveals new insights into the structure and function of this molecular mechanism.
Researchers reconstructed an ancient protein and traced its subtle changes over time to produce diverse modern-day descendants. They found that evolution tweaked the ancestral structure to create partnerships with new hormones or signals, leading to independent proteins with increased stability.
A new material, a potential ingredient for microbicides, dramatically lowers HIV infection rates by targeting the mediator between the virus and cells. The coating molecule blocks SEVI's interactions with both the virus and immune cells, preventing at least one way for HIV to attach.
Simon Cocklin, Ph.D., wins the ProteOn XPR36 Giveaway Program for his novel research applications for surface plasmon resonance technology. He plans to use the system in his lab and make it available to other researchers at Drexel University.
A team of Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers identified an activation signal for the Aurora-A oncogene, a hyperactive enzyme driving tumor cell proliferation. The discovery may lead to new insights into how cell division is timed and potentially improve treatment options by combining AurA inhibitors with other drugs.
The Biophysical Society has selected 2011 Fellows for their outstanding achievements in the field of biophysics, including advancements in molecular dynamics simulation and superresolution microscopy. The newly appointed Fellows will be honored at the Awards Ceremony during the annual meeting.
A multidisciplinary team at UCLA has successfully visualized a virus using cryo-electron microscopy, enabling the adaptation of the adenovirus for use in gene-therapy treatments for prostate and breast cancers. The breakthrough provides critical structural information for researchers attempting to modify the adenovirus.
The Low Energy Neutron Source at Indiana University Bloomington has received a $5 million grant from the National Institute for Standards and Technology to support collaborative neutron research. This funding will enable scientists to develop new techniques and applications in neutron-scattering research, furthering our understanding o...
Researchers at Penn State University have created the first image of a protein interacting with DNA packed tightly into space-saving bundles. The discovery is expected to aid future investigations into diseases such as cancer and provide new insights into how cells regulate gene expression.
Researchers developed new 'stapled peptides' to block key cancer proteins, showing promise for treating cancer, diabetes, and other diseases. The advances could lead to a new generation of medicines, overcoming the shortcomings of previous drugs.
Researchers at Ohio State University used mathematics to study the proteins that influence the birth of a human fat cell, identifying three key proteins: NF-kB, PPAR-gamma, and cyclin D. The study's findings could lead to a better understanding of obesity and insulin resistance.
Researchers at NC State University developed a screening tool to predict nanoparticle interactions with biological systems, allowing for improved safety and applications in drug delivery. The study uses molecular probes to create 'fingerprints' identifying how nanoparticles will behave inside the human body.
Researchers have discovered over 100 new proteins involved in plant cell division, revealing the machinery behind this process for the first time. The newly developed Tandem Affinity Purification (TAP) Platform enables rapid unraveling of protein interactions, advancing crop yield optimization.
A new tagging technique developed by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago provides a clearer and more dynamic view of protein-protein interactions in living mammalian cells. The technique uses luminescence resonance energy transfer to label proteins with differently colored, luminescent molecules, allowing for faster data ...
Researchers discovered that specific cadherin molecules expand molecular diversity and specificity in cell-cell adhesion, shedding light on autism and mental retardation. The study's findings could lead to a better understanding of synapse formation and brain circuit assembly during normal development.
A BU team led by Prof. Adrian Whitty aims to create 'drug-like' small molecule inhibitors targeting challenging protein-protein interactions with a $1.6M NIH grant. The goal is to develop new approaches for discovering inhibitors against intracellular proteins critical to human inflammatory diseases and cancers.
A study published in JCI Online found that targeting acetylcholine-producing nerve cells in the pedunculopontine nucleus may alleviate gait disorders and falls in Parkinson's disease patients. Meanwhile, another study suggests that blocking TIM-1 protein could provide therapeutic benefits for asthma patients.
Researchers at NUI Galway have discovered a protein that enables cancer cells to withstand intense stress. Understanding this interaction could lead to the development of more effective anticancer drugs by blocking its function and encouraging tumor cell death.
A team of researchers discovered the molecular mechanisms governing Gerbera's unique inflorescence structure, characterized by three different flower types. The study highlights an expanded gene family that likely plays a new role in the formation of this complex structure, differing from Arabidopsis species.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a way to control the normal expression of genes, including those active in cancer, through RNA interference. This breakthrough has important applications for laboratory research and could lead to the development of individually tailored cancer therapies.
Researchers found that excessive HSP10 production can preserve muscle strength and halt the aging process. The study, funded by BBSRC, suggests that artificially increasing HSP10 levels could be used as a therapeutic measure to prevent age-related muscle loss.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found a new mechanism by which CD8+ T cells control HIV. The discovery highlights the antiviral activity of prothymosin-alpha, a tiny protein that stimulates interferon production to block viral replication.
A study published in Experimental Biology and Medicine found that the Ash2l protein is crucial for early mammalian development, with mouse embryos dying without it. The researchers discovered that Ash2l interacts with Tbx1 to regulate gene transcription, shedding light on the pathogenesis of DiGeorge syndrome.
Researchers identified protein Ash2l as a crucial partner of Tbx1, regulating early embryonic development and gene activity. The study provides insight into the biological events leading to chromosome 22q.11 deletion syndrome, which often includes congenital heart defects.
Researchers found that Cdk5rap2 and pericentrin work together to regulate neural growth in the developing brain. Loss of these proteins leads to genetic disorders characterized by abnormally small head circumference. The study may offer insight into human evolution and provide potential treatments for related diseases.
Researchers have developed a new type of drug that targets the BCL6 protein, which is essential for lymphoma cell survival and multiplication. The breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options with fewer side effects, increasing cure rates for diffuse large B cell lymphomas.
A Scripps Research Institute team has discovered a mechanism to enhance the cellular folding and function of mutated lysosomal enzymes, which are linked to Gaucher's disease. The researchers used FDA-approved drugs to increase calcium levels in cells from patients with Gaucher's disease, potentially paving the way for clinical trials.
Researchers found that the level of arrestin protein determines how long C. elegans lives, with worms having triple the amount living one-third less than normal. Arrestin interacts with several proteins to regulate longevity and has relevance to human biology and cancer development.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have identified PYM as a key protein involved in the replication and spread of Kaposi's Sarcoma-causing viruses. Blocking interactions between PYM and viral proteins could lead to new treatment options for this disease.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to measure liquid-solid interaction with unprecedented precision, improving resolution by a factor of 10,000 or more. This allows for detailed studies of wetting on curved, textured, or complex surfaces.
Researchers identify a mechanism to turn developmental genes on and off as an embryo matures, involving the SUMO/SENP2 system. The study provides new insights into epigenetic control and its role in development, cancer, and neurological diseases.
Researchers uncover pathway critical for embryological development in zebra fish, revealing parallel mechanism driving vertebrate brain wiring. The fragile-X protein complex interacts with PAK1, a key player in synapse development.
Researchers have discovered how ubiquitin activates RIG-I, triggering the body's immune response against viral infections. This finding provides one of the missing pieces in understanding how the body fights off infection and could lead to new antiviral therapies.
Researchers have identified three new targets for potential treatment of Ewing's sarcoma, a genetic exchange between chromosomes that results in a fused gene. Additionally, two small molecules have been found to prevent or treat the spread of osteosarcoma, a very aggressive cancer.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified several small molecules that mimic the key protein BDNF, which plays a crucial role in memory and learning. The discovery could lead to new therapies for various brain disorders such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and depression.
Researchers developed a genetic framework to predict drug side effects and cardiac disorders. The framework integrated genetic, cellular, and clinical information to identify genetic variations associated with QT interval-related diseases.
A University of Utah researcher helped discover how a protein motor works with two other proteins to move nerve cells and components inside them. Mutant LIS1 has been linked to the classic form of lissencephaly, a devastating brain malformation due to defective migration of nerve cells within the developing brain.
Researchers at Van Andel Research Institute have identified key proteins involved in the development of prostate cancer. Understanding their interaction could lead to more effective treatments by targeting this molecular link.
Researchers find NINJA protein connects JAZ proteins with TPL, blocking MYC2 activation and triggering defense mechanism. The discovery sheds light on the link between growth and stress in plants, revealing a complex molecular mechanism for regulating gene expression.
Researchers have developed 'filters' that can be used to weed out compounds likely to show up as false positives during high-throughput chemical screening. This will reduce the time spent on medicinal chemistry and optimize the compound selection process for drug development.
Researchers at Brown University have identified how protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) regulates substrate proteins by binding to specific sites, increasing specificity and reducing errors. This discovery sheds light on the enzyme's critical role in various diseases, including cancer and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have discovered 65,000 unique relationships between proteins and plant-cell membranes in Arabidopsis, a relative of the mustard plant. This breakthrough using high-throughput screening technology will aid in understanding protein interactions to develop better crops and medicines.
Researchers at EMBL and Yale found that up to a quarter of human genes are regulated differently in people, with variations in non-coding regions and protein interactions contributing to these differences. This new understanding may lead to novel approaches for studying diseases and personalizing treatments.
A Princeton University-led research team discovered that protein competition for an enzyme provides a mechanism to integrate different signals directing early embryonic development. This competition influences which signals are sent to cells, establishing a biochemical mode of signal integration.
Researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard present a new method for identifying protein-bait interactions, allowing for sensitive detection and discrimination of specific interactions. The method uses quantitative proteomics approaches to compare enrichment with the bait of interest against samples using control baits.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario have identified a protective pathway in the brain that may help explain why symptoms of Huntington's disease appear later in life. This finding could lead to new treatments for the devastating genetic disorder, which is caused by cell death in specific brain regions.
Researchers identified specific mutations that enable a common plant virus to infect new species, shedding light on the viral-host interface. The study's findings could inform strategies for breeding resistant crops and understanding animal disease emergence.
Scientists have revealed the 3-D structure of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a model system for understanding negative-strand RNA viruses. The research provides insights into the assembly process and proposes a model for viral structure, potentially leading to advances in cancer treatment and HIV vaccines.