Research on how proteins bind and work together. Covers membrane-protein assembly, viral infection, molecular imaging, and drugging difficult targets.
Scientists developed a new technique to chronicle protein development, movement and interactions in living cells. The technology uses small binding domains that interact with other compounds, allowing researchers to distinguish old from new proteins and explore dynamics at different resolution levels.
The new HP supercomputer will have an expected total peak performance of over 8.3 teraflops, 8,300 times faster than a current personal computer. Scientists will use it to study complex chemical problems in areas like life sciences and environmental research.
Scientists at the University of Warwick have created a large synthetic molecule that binds to the major groove of DNA, causing it to coil up and resembling how chromosomes package DNA. This breakthrough could enable precise control over gene expression and improve treatments for diseases by delivering drugs directly to specific cells.
A new study reveals that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) regulates the expression of neurotransmitter receptors on neurons, affecting signal transmission and potentially providing new treatment approaches for dementia, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, epilepsy, and spinal cord injury. The research suggests a vital role for glial ce...
Scientists identified a protein called RIN4 that bridges between bacterial pathogens and plant disease resistance proteins, allowing pathogens to evade the host's defenses. The discovery adds new knowledge to how bacterial pathogens target plant molecular machinery to make it more hospitable.
Researchers at MGH Structural Biology Program have unraveled the structure of a key protein involved in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. The study reveals that alpha V beta 3 integrin changes its shape when bound to its ligand, allowing it to instruct tumor cells to grow and spread.
A study published in The Lancet found that simian virus 40 (SV40) was present in 43% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, with lower rates in Hodgkin lymphoma cases. Researchers discovered a potential link between SV40 and human cancer, which could lead to new detection and treatment methods.
Pamela Douglas, a Johns Hopkins University senior, is analyzing DNA from children suffering from Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata, a devastating disease that causes stunted limbs and mental retardation. Her work may yield clues to the development of a treatment for this rare but fatal disorder.
Researchers create protein nanoarrays with features over 1,000 times smaller than conventional arrays, enabling more accurate and efficient detection of biomolecules. The technology, developed by Northwestern University, holds promise for applications in disease screening and biorecognition.
Researchers have designed an 'Energy Landscape Paving' method that circumvents the problems of the annealing algorithm, enabling fast and automatic solution-finding. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of proteins' 3D nature and their functions, with potential applications in pharmaceuticals and materials development.
A team at Cellzome developed a novel approach to systematically use protein interaction maps in drug discovery, enabling researchers to better assess protein roles and predict drug effects. The yeast proteomic map provides a framework for integrating data from literature and experiments.
A team of researchers led by Jeannie T. Lee has identified the CTCF protein as a central regulator of X-chromosome inactivation, sparking new insights into the mechanism behind this process. The discovery sheds light on how the developing embryo chooses which X chromosome to inactivate.
Researchers at UMass challenged a 60-year-old theory on polymer crystallization, finding that lengthy polymers never achieve total crystallinity due to reaching equilibrium. This breakthrough may lead to better control of material flexibility and shed light on the protein-folding problem.
The study examined the impact of alcohol on NMDA receptors in the brain, finding that it inhibits or prevents Fos protein induction. This suggests that alcohol acts by modifying these receptors, which could be linked to the development of symptoms and susceptibility to alcoholism.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers have found evidence that alcohol inhibits the actions of key proteins called N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors in specific regions of the brain. This new interaction affects brain regions involved in memory formation and higher mental functions.
Yale researchers have created a microchip that can analyze virtually all yeast proteins, holding promise for advances in studying protein function in other organisms. The technology allows for faster understanding of protein interactions and could lead to breakthroughs in diagnostic methods, drug discovery, and therapies.
Hopkins researchers found that parkin, aS and synphilin interact, with mutations disturbing this interaction leading to Lewy body formation and nerve cell death. Understanding these interactions may help identify targets for new treatments.
The Cables protein inhibits cell growth through a chain reaction effect, prompting decreased division. Its expression may thwart uncontrolled cell growth indicative of cancer.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute develop a therapy to prevent misfolding diseases by incorporating a protein suppressor into the diseased protein, stabilizing it and preventing fibril formation. This approach may also work for other diseases with similar protein-protein interactions.
The RANKL cytokine at 2.6 Å resolution provides detailed information on its structure and function in the body. Researchers used this high-resolution imaging technique to study RANKL's role in bone formation and immune system regulation.
Scientists discovered that Alzheimer's and Parkinson's proteins interact to accelerate disease progression, causing cognitive and motor function destruction. The study found that Abeta, a metabolic breakdown product of hAPP, enhances the accumulation of hSYN in brain cells.
UT Southwestern Medical Center has acquired a custom-crafted cryo-electron microscope to propel its cell-research capabilities. The new technology enables the analysis of sub-cell structures at sites in the cell where processes take place, providing valuable insights into cellular biology and disease mechanisms.
Researchers have discovered two distinct pathways leading to cell death in the diseased kidney, which could lead to new therapeutic targets for kidney disease. These findings provide a better understanding of kidney pathology and may enable the development of more effective treatments.
Researchers identified BONZAI1 as a central player in Arabidopsis plant growth homeostasis. The gene influences plant size at different temperatures, with mutant cells failing to grow normally at cooler temps. A related protein, BAP1, was also found to interact with BONZAI1 and is more highly expressed at lower temps.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine and Pharmacy have developed a new method to calculate protein stability, which could improve drug design and engineering. The approach uses computational manipulations to predict the effects of amino acid mutations on protein stability.
Researchers found a new protein supercomplex linking PSI and PSII in cyanobacteria, increasing light harvesting ability by 72%. This adaptation enables oxygen production even in low iron conditions, with significant global environmental implications. The discovery suggests an evolutionary link between the two photosynthetic complexes.
A team of scientists at North Carolina State University and Yale University have analyzed the function of all proteins in yeast, discovering novel protein interactions that will require further examination. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of protein functions in more complex organisms, including humans.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that activation of vitamin A receptors can regulate the human circadian clock. This discovery provides an important clue to how the master clock in the brain regulates distal organs by controlling clocks throughout the body.
Researchers identify gC1qR as a binding partner for Hepatitis C core protein, allowing the virus to evade immune response and persist in the body. The interaction between gC1qR and core protein may provide new targets for developing therapies to combat chronic hepatitis C.
Streptococcal bacteria use the bacterial capsule containing hyaluronic acid to bind to epithelial cells of the pharynx and cause sore throats. Suppression of CD44 levels or use of antibodies/ exogenous hyaluronic acid can block this interaction.
Scientists used a new measurement technique to study muscle movement at the molecular level, shedding light on how myosin and actin interact. The technique, called luminescence resonance energy transfer, provided direct evidence for the lever-arm model of muscle contraction.