Research on how proteins bind and work together. Covers membrane-protein assembly, viral infection, molecular imaging, and drugging difficult targets.
Researchers identify cowpea mosaic virus's target protein vimentin, a key step towards using the virus as a drug delivery agent. The discovery may lead to targeted treatment of tumors and potentially prevent infectious diseases.
A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals a novel protein called RANBP9, which when over-expressed leads to increased generation of amyloid-beta peptide. The researchers found that inhibiting RANBP9 may offer an alternative approach to therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have identified 39 interaction partners of bacterial toxins, revealing how these toxins manipulate human host cell signaling pathways. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments targeting the underlying mechanisms disrupted by bacterial toxins.
Researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology have synthesized gold nanoclusters that can be used for sub-cellular biolabeling and bioimaging. These clusters are suitable for use within the body due to their lack of toxic metals, enabling scientists to monitor cell nucleus dynamics and study genomic changes.
A team of scientists has identified a crucial requirement for heterochromatin formation, showing that the strength of Chp1's binding to methylated chromatin is essential. This breakthrough reveals a key mechanism in regulating gene expression and genomic stability.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a signaling pathway that initiates the flushing response associated with nicotinic acid. Analysis of human cell lines revealed that beta-arrestin proteins play a key role in this process, which may be targeted to prevent side effects while maintaining therapeutic benefits. I...
Biomedical engineers have developed a new probe that allows visualization of single RNA molecules within live cells, enabling scientists to study RNA's operation and interaction with binding proteins. The tool overcomes issues with fluorescent probes, allowing for hours-long imaging and distinguishing between targeted and unbound probes.
New Brown University research suggests nicotine interferes with multiple cellular interactions, potentially developing new treatments for various diseases. The study identified 55 proteins interacting with the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor, which may have broader roles in the body than previously thought.
A Scripps Research team discovered peptides that inhibit viral production by 68-63% and reduce viral RNA levels by sevenfold. The findings offer a promising target for the development of anti-hepatitis C virus drugs.
Researchers have determined the structure of a protein within its natural environment, Escherichia coli, for the first time using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This milestone advances our understanding of molecular biology and opens new avenues for investigating protein interactions in living systems.
Male mice with PICK1 deficiency display low sperm count and abnormal acrosomes, a crucial component for fertilization. The study sheds light on the human disorder globozoospermia by identifying the essential role of PICK1 in acrosome formation.
Two new methods are featured in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols: a rapid, reversible method for studying protein stability using small molecules, and a combined technique for identifying proteins that mediate long-range chromosomal interactions. These methods provide new tools for investigating protein function and chromatin structure.
Researchers combined Caltech's experimental technique with UCSD's protein-folding models to understand cytochrome c's precise folding pattern. The models successfully accounted for charge-charge interactions and hydrophobic interactions, matching experimental data.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a targeted strategy to substantially increase the thermodynamic stability of nearly any protein while preserving its unique function. The design technique creates proteins that remain stable at temperatures 10 degrees Celsius higher than normal.
Researchers at MU College of Veterinary Medicine found that blocking specific proteins, AP-1 and SAF-1, may prevent cartilage breakdown in arthritis patients by inhibiting inflammation. This could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating the disease.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have discovered a protein that can interrupt normal cellular proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for type 1 and 2 diabetes by controlling the growth of islet cells.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool aim to quantify cellular proteins in baker's yeast, a model organism for studying metabolism, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging. The study may lead to a deeper understanding of how cells operate and how they fail to perform their normal functions in the human body.
Researchers have identified a gene AEG1 that plays a key role in human liver cancer progression. Targeting this gene may provide new therapeutic options for treating liver cancer. Additionally, adenosine signaling has been linked to alcohol-induced fatty liver disease in mice, suggesting potential treatments involving adenosine receptors.
The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of its student travel award, selected based on scientific merit with priority given to those presenting a paper at the conference. The awardees receive a travel grant and will be recognized at a reception.
The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of its international travel grants, chosen based on scientific merit and proposed presentation. The recipients include researchers from Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, India, Iran, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, and United Kingdom.
A team of scientists has successfully determined the structure of DFPase, an enzyme from the squid Loligo vulgaris that can rapidly detoxify chemical warfare agents like Sarin. The study used neutron diffraction and provides essential information about the reaction mechanism of DFPase.
A Cornell research team mapped histone-DNA interactions in nucleosomes, gaining new understanding of how genes are packed and expressed. The study's findings could help uncover the effects of histone or DNA sequence changes on motor protein access to genetic information.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered a new molecular mechanism that increases the risk of arrhythmias. They found that calcium-sensitizing drugs can cause arrhythmias by making heart muscle cells more prone to irregular rhythms.
Scientists have identified a critical element in HIV pathogenesis: the translational control of HIV-1 RNA in the cytoplasm. A Sam68 mutant suppresses Nef expression by sequestering nef mRNA, offering a new strategy for developing anti-HIV therapeutics.
Researchers discovered that immune cells producing opioids can alleviate neuropathic pain in mice. Meanwhile, a study found that Vitamin D3 might boost the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies by targeting specific immune cells.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute develop a framework to evaluate the quality of protein interaction maps, finding that only 20-30% of interactions are captured by current techniques. The study also introduces a tool kit for verifying interactions and creates an expanded map of the interactome in Caenorhabitis elegans.
Scientists at Burnham Institute for Medical Research have determined the structure of protein interactions responsible for triggering apoptosis. The research reveals a particular arrangement of Fas receptor and FADD proteins that act as a control switch for cell death signaling.
A computational method predicts bacterial protein interactions with remarkable accuracy, identifying critical residues that bind directly with other proteins. This breakthrough enables the development of new antibiotics targeting specific protein interactions vital to pathogenic bacteria survival.
Researchers use atomic force microscopy to probe individual bonds between asbestos fibers and human cells, revealing potential triggers for cancer. The study aims to understand how asbestos interacts with cell surface receptors, which could aid in drug development efforts targeting mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Researchers identified genes that code for proteins controlling gene reading, revealing 'gene grammarians' linked to DNA structure. This discovery provides new insights into epigenetic control and environmental effects on the human genome.
Researchers have developed a new tool using graphical models to analyze complex systems, which can help uncover the underlying causes of cancer and enable sociologists to extract valuable insights from social media data. The 'Informative Priors' method incorporates current knowledge into mathematical analysis, providing more accurate r...
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have determined the first 3D structure of ZP3, a protein essential for fertilization in mammals. The findings provide insights into the molecular architecture of animal egg coats and may lead to the development of novel contraceptives.
Researchers developed an interactive program to analyze genome sequences, allowing them to find hidden relationships in massive amounts of data. The program uses visualization technology and computational approaches to display results in a user-friendly manner, helping scientists uncover new insights into biological processes.
Researchers have uncovered how a bacterial pathogen interacts with blood coagulation protein fibrinogen to cause MRSA infections. They found that agents could be designed to inhibit the ClfA–Fg interaction without interfering with platelet activation, offering new avenues for anti-staphococcal treatment.
Researchers found that HP1 proteins help cells fix damaged DNA by latching onto methylated histones. The study used mouse models to show that one missing version of the protein leads to genomic instability and brain defects.
University of Michigan researchers uncover the key to bleach's bacterial-killing power by studying a molecular chaperone. Hypochlorite in bleach causes proteins to lose structure and form aggregates, killing bacteria. This discovery may also shed light on immune system function and fighting off infections.
A team of scientists has developed a new type of probe for examining protein interactions using luminescence, enabling non-invasive tracking of protein association in living cells. The technique could aid understanding of serum albumin function and drug-protein interactions.
A new platform has been developed to study how specialized proteins regulate RNA in living, intact cells. By identifying every sequence within every strand of RNA to which proteins bind, researchers can now address questions about how differences in RNA explain the vast differences between humans and worms.
The study uses a systems biology approach to understand carbohydrate structures in cells, leading to new ways to combat inflammatory illnesses. Researchers aim to define novel strategies to perturb the glycome and identify new targets for molecular therapies.
The Biophysical Society recognizes the 2009 Distinguished Service Award and Emily M. Gray Award recipients, who have made significant contributions to biophysics research, education, and service. Five members are also named as new Fellows for their excellence in science and expansion of the field.
A new study by University of Missouri researchers has identified three specific pollen proteins that may contribute to the signaling processes in plants. These proteins, which bind to pistil proteins, suggest a molecular basis for plant mate recognition and acceptance or rejection of individual pollen grains.
Researchers found that pectin, a compound in fruits and vegetables, inhibits galectin 3, a protein linked to all stages of cancer progression. This discovery may lead to functional foods with added bioactive pectin and provide evidence for the importance of eating at least 5-a-day.
Researchers from UNC Chapel Hill found that water behaves differently inside carbon nanotubes depending on temperature, with potential implications for ultra-tiny devices and biological structures. The study's findings may lead to new technologies such as nano-fluidic chips and permeable membranes.
Researchers created a new model of behavior for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, showing that cholesterol is essential for its structure and function. The findings have broad implications for pharmacology and may shed light on recent data indicating low cholesterol's harmful effects on brain cells.
The Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics has produced an encyclopaedic knowledge capturing the functions and interactions of human proteins. The dataset covers 20,325 human proteins and will speed up scientific work aimed at improving quality of life, particularly in combating genetic-based diseases.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed disposable, microplate-based optical biosensors using photonic crystals to detect protein-DNA interactions. The technology can identify compounds that inhibit specific protein-nucleic acid and protein-protein interactions.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have identified a protein, NuIP, that regulates the Nurr1 gene critical to dopamine-releasing brain cells. Loss of NuIP function is linked to decreased numbers of dopamine-producing neurons and a decrease in expression of the dopamine transporter.
Researchers have discovered unique hybrid protein complexes that form when Abeta amyloid and a-synuclein interact, altering neuronal activity. This study provides a model for developing new drugs to treat these devastating neurological diseases.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory will develop MADMAX, a tool to measure distances within proteins, potentially revolutionizing the development of new drugs. The technology could provide unprecedented insight into protein movement and behavior.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have uncovered a molecular circuitry associated with schizophrenia, linking three previously known proteins. The study found that these proteins interact synergistically during normal brain development and are linked to the condition in some patients.
Researchers have discovered that a protein called Est3 recognizes where to report to work through a specific 3-dimensional shape displayed on its surface. This finding has propelled forward studies of Est3's role in elongating chromosome ends and saving cells from premature growth arrest.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have created a new method for attaching active proteins to chips, enabling quick testing for serious diseases and rapid discovery of new drugs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of large-scale protein arrays that can analyze thousands of proteins simultaneously.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed synthetic molecules based on curcumin to kill cancer cells and stop cell spread. The compounds show promise in treating 50% of breast and prostate cancers, with potential applications in pancreatic cancer as well.
A study published in JCI Journals suggests that a yeast protein called Hsp104 may hold the key to treating Parkinson's disease. The protein was found to inhibit alpha-synuclein aggregation, which is thought to contribute to PD pathology.
Researchers at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a protein called Hsp104 that dramatically reduces alpha-synuclein aggregation and dopaminergic degeneration in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that Hsp104 could be considered as a potential st...
Scientists have successfully detected changes in protein-water networks during protein folding using terahertz absorption spectroscopy. This technique allows for the observation of protein dynamics on a picosecond time scale, revealing new insights into the complex interactions between proteins and water molecules.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria bind to human proteins fibronectin, shedding light on serious heart infections. The study could lead to the development of new treatments for rare but life-threatening conditions like infective endocarditis.
Researchers investigated estrogen's action in the brain, finding that it protects neurons and enables learning and memory throughout life. Estrogen receptors are present in both men and women, and a protein called PELP-1 enables rapid hormone action.
A study has identified a specific region of the PfEMP1 protein as crucial for attaching to placental walls, which could lead to new drug targets to prevent malaria-related complications during pregnancy. Researchers hope that mimicking this binding domain with pharmaceuticals may help develop immunity in women living in endemic regions.
Scientists have discovered over 80 new proteins in seminal fluid that can influence the reproductive success of fruit flies. The discovery sheds light on how males and females interact through protein transfer during mating, revealing a complex interplay between cooperation and competition.