Research on how proteins bind and work together. Covers membrane-protein assembly, viral infection, molecular imaging, and drugging difficult targets.
A Swiss research team used soft condensed matter physics techniques to demonstrate the importance of a finely tuned balance between attractions and repulsions in maintaining lens transparency. The study found that even small changes in this balance can lead to protein aggregation, resulting in cataract formation.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have identified the normal functioning of an RNA-regulating protein called muscleblind, which helps explain how myotonic dystrophy disease occurs. The study found that muscleblind binds to both normal and toxic forms of RNA, highlighting a key clue to understanding the disease.
A team of researchers has made a breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms that regulate hemoglobin's ability to transport oxygen. By using sophisticated atomic calculation techniques, they have identified the factors that control hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, which can now be used to design alterations of its structure.
A Canadian research team uses IBM's World Community Grid to accelerate the analysis of cancer research data, unlocking insights into protein function and potential cancer-fighting drugs. With over 86 million images of proteins captured in 14.5 million experiments, this initiative aims to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at UMass Medical School will study the role of heat shock proteins in type 1 diabetes using dual grants from JDRF and the Iacocca Foundation. The $300,000 funding supports innovative studies across various departments and disciplines to understand Hsp abnormalities that may lead to type 1 diabetes.
Researchers studied voltage-gated potassium channels, revealing features that could lead to medical breakthroughs in synthetic drug design. In contrast, a study found that large lipid rafts are not observed in live cells due to protein obstacles.
Researchers at EMBL used a novel microscopy technique to observe the interplay of signalling molecules in living yeast cells. They found that the actual signal is not produced uniformly throughout the cell but only by specific chain components in the mating projection.
Researchers created a hybrid device combining force and fluorescence to detect subtle conformational changes in biomolecules at extremely low applied forces. By probing the dynamics of Holliday junctions, they mapped transition states and deduced the structure of transient species.
Biochemistry and biophysics expert Dr. James Shorter has been awarded a $1.5 million NIH New Innovator Award to develop biochemical methods for combating nerve degeneration diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's.
Researchers have discovered how Candida albicans transforms from its benign form to an infectious, life-threatening state. The fungus changes shape and activates cellular machineries through specific proteins, revealing new therapeutic targets.
Researchers have performed the first atomic-detail computer simulation of how proteins vibrate in a crystal, enabling testing with new neutron analysis tools. The study aims to understand protein-protein interactions and could lead to breakthroughs in understanding biological systems.
A new MIT model can predict structural changes in antibodies to enhance their effectiveness. The team has already created a new version of a cancer treatment drug with improved binding affinity.
A new technique called back-scattering interferometry (BSI) measures the strength of interactions between free-floating biological molecules. BSI is sensitive enough to detect protein folding and has potential cost advantages over current techniques.
Researchers have filmed the nanoscale interaction of an enzyme and a DNA strand from an attacking virus in real time. This breakthrough study provides a direct view of the molecular interactions between proteins and DNA, shedding light on fundamental biological processes.
A U. Iowa team discovered two cell-signaling proteins, Nox1 and Nox2, play a significant role in disease progression of inherited ALS, significantly increasing lifespan when deleted from mice. Nox2 deletion nearly doubles lifespan and survival index, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for ALS treatment.
RecA family proteins have been found to function as rotary motor proteins to repair DNA damages through a novel mechanism. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding the molecular mechanisms of RecA family proteins and their roles in cell proliferation, genome maintenance, and genetic diversity.
Researchers identified cadherin 23 and protocadherin 15 as crucial proteins in the conversion of physical cues to electrochemical signals. These proteins form a complex called 'tip links' on hair cells in the inner ear, which is believed to have a central function in converting physical cues into electrical impulses.
Researchers have identified two key proteins, cadherin 23 and protocadherin 15, that join together at the precise location where sound vibrations are converted into electrical impulses in the ear. This discovery sheds light on the hearing process and may lead to more precise therapies for treating people with hearing loss.
A novel intracellular traffic coordinator, SNX27, regulates potassium channel activity in brain cells by pulling them away from their job, reducing excitability. This discovery could lead to new treatments for drug addictions.
Researchers have found that particles of inorganic dust can form helical structures that interact like organic compounds, hinting at the possibility of life beyond carbon-based molecules. These structures exhibit properties such as autonomy, reproduction, and evolution, raising questions about the origin of life on Earth.
A recent study by MUHC and McGill University has shed light on the mechanisms triggering cancer cell growth, potentially leading to targeted therapies. The research discovered that ubiquitin promotes interactions between proteins Cb-b, which plays a crucial role in mitigating uncontrolled cell proliferation.
A research team has identified a genetic deficiency that causes severe blindness, specifically Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). The discovery of the LCA5 gene and its protein lebercilin provides new opportunities for gene therapy, which could lead to the treatment of this disease in humans.
Researchers found that over-production of two inflammatory proteins causes excessive levels of a third protein, leading to rosacea symptoms. Elevated stratum corneum tryptic enzymes (SCTE) and cathelicidin also contribute to the disease.
Scientists at University of Pennsylvania discover technique to apply physical stress to cells, unfolding proteins and revealing novel targets for treating diseases. This breakthrough has potential applications in various fields, including cancer research and regenerative medicine.
Researchers at Penn School Medicine observe and measure internal motion in proteins, revealing its impact on function and overturning traditional views. This discovery may explain why drug design fails more often than it works.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered how a major plant hormone works to defend plants against insects and pathogens. The study reveals that the hormone jasmonate triggers direct interaction between JAZ proteins and a second protein complex, SCFCOI1, to activate defense responses.
Researchers discovered how plants evolved to respond to environmental changes by repressing growth, a process integrated by the plant growth hormone gibberellin. The ability emerged in flowering plants 300 million years ago and is linked to major stages in their evolution.
Researchers found a genetic variant linked to an increased risk of developing COPD in smokers, suggesting a gene-environment interaction. The study suggests that genetic factors play a role in the development of COPD, alongside environmental exposure to cigarette smoke.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that miRNAs regulate gene expression by associating with the Argonaute2 (Ago2) protein. This interaction inhibits protein production, highlighting a crucial role for Ago2 in the miRNA pathway.
Scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have discovered that an obesity drug, orlistat, can be repurposed to target and kill cancer cells. The breakthrough, published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, provides a promising new avenue for the development of more potent cancer treatments.
The studies identified new proteins involved in coronary heart disease, clusterin responsible for colorectal cancer progression, and potential biomarkers for esophageal cancer detection. These findings may lead to improved diagnosis and therapies for these diseases.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have identified two key genes in black widow spider silk, which has superior strength and extensibility. The discovery may lead to the production of synthetic silk with similar properties, potentially used in body armor, medical devices and athletic attire.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a new regulatory target for the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which may lead to new treatments for Fragile X syndrome. The study also found implications for autism, as both conditions share common physiological pathways.
Researchers discovered genes in a sea sponge that resemble those found in human synapses, suggesting the nervous system evolved earlier than previously thought. The study reveals that sponges have genetic components of synapses, indicating they may have interacted with each other similarly to humans and mice.
Researchers found significant clues to the evolutionary origins of the nervous system by studying the genome of a sea sponge, a group considered ancient. The discovery pushes back the origins of genetic components to at or before the first animals.
Using advanced computer simulations and X-ray data, researchers unraveled the complex interplay of proteins involved in outer membrane transport. The study revealed that TonB-dependent transporter (TBDT) is unable to withstand forces needed to pull the luminal domain away from the barrel.
Researchers uncovered new details about how proteins orchestrate cell division and how curcumin boosts the immune system to fight cancer. Additionally, scientists provided new insights into the toxic effects of tau protein aggregation in Alzheimer's disease.
The study reveals that a combinatorial action of multiple protein domains is required to read histone modifications, targeting the Rpd3S complex to deacetylate transcribed chromatin. This finding has significant implications for understanding and treating Huntington's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified more than 200 new proteins that interact with the mutated protein causing Huntington's disease, offering potential therapeutic targets. These interactions may modulate the effects of the protein, either improving or worsening symptoms, and could help accelerate disease onset.
Researchers have identified more than 200 new proteins that bind to normal and mutant forms of the protein causing Huntington’s disease. The study suggests these proteins may be potential drug targets for treating the incurable disease, which affects 30,000 Americans annually.
A new lab-on-a-chip device developed by Berkeley Lab enables fast and accurate protein analysis through integration with mass spectrometry. This innovation accelerates proteomics research in fields like diagnostics, therapeutics, and bioenergy.
The University of Copenhagen will receive a massive DKK 600 million grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to establish a cutting-edge protein research center. This significant investment aims to boost research into proteins and their role in human health, potentially leading to new medicines.
Researchers found that cortisol production is cyclic in nature, involving rhythmic binding and unbinding of a protein essential to its production. This process starts with a signal from the hypothalamus, causing adrenal cells to increase cAMP production.
A Duke University team develops a method to measure DNA mechanical properties upon irradiation, revealing unraveling of the double helix and crosslinking of bases. This work establishes a relationship between DNA nanomechanics and damage, paving the way for DNA diagnostics.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a faster approach to producing disease-fighting antibodies. This method can provide significant time savings and enable the isolation of therapeutic antibodies for human diseases that were previously unobtainable.
Researchers at University of Toronto developed a device to test for proteins involved in human health and disease, revealing potential targets for pharmaceutical applications. The study identified six new protein interactors that regulate ABC transporter function, providing insights into diseases like cystic fibrosis and drug resistance.
Researchers at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation discovered that ApoE4 attaches to a receptor on brain cells, leading to protein fragment formation and cell death. This finding may lead to new pathways for developing Alzheimer's therapeutics.
Researchers found that for people with a specific genetic variant, dietary fat intake was not significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) or risk of obesity. However, consuming monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) like olive oil may help lower the likelihood of obesity in these individuals.
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have successfully produced genetically engineered spider silk protein using genetic engineering, revealing crucial insights into the spinning process. The study found that the interaction between hydrophilic and lipophilic properties of the proteins plays a key role in thread formation.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new family of gene vectors, novel polymers that can ferry genetic material into cells. These polymers show promise for gene delivery and tissue scaffolds in biomedical applications, offering reduced toxicity to viral vectors.
Researchers discovered Nutlin-3a induces apoptosis in human PEL cell lines by disrupting LANA-p53 interaction, causing substantial tumor regression in mice with established PEL. This reactivation of the p53 pathway may provide a viable therapeutic option for individuals with KSHV-induced lymphomas.
Interferon gamma has been found to play a role in tumor relapse, a development that may lead to the creation of targeted vaccines. This finding is significant as it could help induce specific immune responses in patients, potentially preventing tumor growth and relapse.
A new assay allows simultaneous detection of individual proteins and their interactions in living cells, enabling researchers to monitor protein expression and interaction networks. This breakthrough method has the potential to develop novel antiviral factors and therapies for infectious diseases and cancers.
Scientists have produced the first 3-dimensional image of a key influenza protein, revealing insights into transmission between birds and humans. The study sheds light on how polymerase mutations contribute to avian flu's ability to jump species barriers.
Researchers found that Gab-2 is essential for breast cancer metastasis but not initial tumor growth. The study suggests a novel mechanism for breast cancer metastasis and identifies Gab-2 as a possible new target for therapies.
A new strategy for fighting cancer aims to make its genes get lost in translation, silencing oncogenes by targeting weak messenger RNAs. The researchers discovered a small molecule that effectively inhibits the translation of these weak mRNAs, leading to the decline of cancer-promoting proteins.
A novel form of trypanosomiasis has been identified in India, resulting from a deficiency in apolipoprotein L-1. Analysis revealed that the patient's serum lacked the protein's trypanolytic activity, which normally destroys parasites.
A study shows that SH2B1 in the brain regulates body weight and fat content, implicating it as a potential target for treating obesity and type II diabetes. Additionally, researchers have found that autophagy represents a survival mechanism for tumor cells treated with agents that initiate tumor cell death.
Researchers discover a mutant gene that affects the body's natural wake-up time, shedding light on the genetic basis of sleep in humans. The study provides new insights into the circadian clock's regulation and may lead to therapies for conditions like jet lag and shift work sleep disorder.
Researchers found that adding milk to tea completely blunts its cardiovascular benefits, which can lead to a higher risk of heart disease. The study suggests that tea drinkers who add milk regularly should consider omitting it some of the time to maximize their health benefits.