Articles tagged with Protein Structure
Researchers at Texas A&M University have uncovered a mechanism behind cancer progression: the stiffening of tumor cell's environment. This spreading causes increased cell proliferation and tumor growth.
Dr. Gail Cornwall is investigating the structure of the brain extracellular matrix, a network of proteins and polysaccharides found in the space between neurons and glia. Her research aims to identify novel structural elements and mechanisms that enable brain plasticity and sex-specific responses.
A new noninvasive imaging method developed by MIT researchers can penetrate deeper into living tissue than previous techniques, producing richer and more detailed images. This breakthrough enhances biological research capabilities, enabling scientists to study immune responses and develop new medicines with greater accuracy.
Scientists discover that pregnant and nursing women's intestines undergo significant changes, doubling their surface area and reorganizing villi structure. This adaptation is crucial for the health of babies and may have long-term metabolic consequences.
Max Delbrück Center researchers have uncovered new features of the molecular architecture of synaptic vesicles using cryo-electron tomography. The study reveals a persistent association between V-ATPase and synaptophysin, suggesting an important function in neurotransmission.
Researchers at Osaka University have discovered a 'nano-switch mechanism' that controls the potential of an electron carrier protein in redox reactions. This finding has significant implications for the development of ultra-sensitive sensors and novel drugs.
Researchers identify caveolae's role in protecting adipocytes from rupture and inflammation; this discovery opens new avenues for treating metabolic diseases like obesity. The study highlights the importance of the caveolin-1 protein in maintaining cellular integrity.
Researchers have shed new light on gene expression by visualizing ribosomes in unprecedented detail. The study reveals a molecular mechanism for mRNA delivery to the ribosome, advancing our understanding of gene expression at the molecular level.
Georgios Skiniotis joins St. Jude as a faculty member in structural biology, establishing a Center of Excellence for Structural Cell Biology. The center will advance understanding of cell biology from atomic to micron scales using cryo-ET and vEM imaging.
Researchers found that genetic collisions between transcription and DNA replication lead to large tandem duplications in cancer cells, which can be identified through dosage imbalance. These duplicates are associated with poor patient survival and high correlation with mutations in genes TP53, CDK12, and SPOP.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism to detach and recycle parts of cellular canal membranes as needed. The study, conducted with supercomputer simulations, shows that protein regions can cause the membrane to bulge and pinch off, forming vesicles for recycling.
Researchers discovered Werner syndrome gene WRN plays a crucial role in maintaining constitutive heterochromatin structure, essential for DNA stability. Loss of WRN function disrupts protein interactions, potentially accelerating aging due to cellular disorganization.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a new version of AlphaFold that can predict the shape of very large and complex protein structures, integrating experimental data. This breakthrough aims to improve the development of new proteins for medical drugs.
Researchers identified hundreds of brain proteins associated with inter-individual differences in functional connectivity and structural covariation. The proteins were enriched for those involved in synapses, energy metabolism, and RNA processing, providing insights into the mechanistic basis of human cognition and behavior.
A new review article explores the transformative role of deep learning techniques in revolutionizing protein structure prediction. Deep learning models like AlphaFold 2 have achieved high accuracy, over 98%, in predicting human protein structures, surpassing traditional methods.
Researchers design a high-throughput approach to create novel polypeptides with diverse chemical properties, leading to the discovery of hundreds of unique low-energy repeating structures. The study paves the way for broader applications in materials design and biotechnology.
Researchers found a specialized low-salt, fasting-mimicking diet (LS-FMD) slows deterioration of kidney structures and function in rodents with chronic kidney disease. In humans, the diet reduced proteinuria and improved endothelial function in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Osaka Metropolitan University researchers developed a new approach to analyze the 3D structure of lab-made photosynthetic antenna protein complex LHCII. Their findings validated natural antenna mimicry in artificial photosynthesis, showing only minor differences between lab-created and natural LHCII.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has developed a rapid screening system to identify compounds that can stop the growth of amyloid proteins. The study found 40 compounds that demonstrate the ability to inhibit amyloid formation, providing a promising lead for future disease treatments.
The study uses cryo-electron microscopy to observe the ETB receptor-G protein complex, revealing a strong binding interaction between G protein and ETB receptor. This finding may deepen understanding of endothelin signaling mechanisms and inform the development of new drugs.
The study describes the full molecular structure of the phage DEV, which infects and lysates Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The researchers discovered a genome ejection motor that pulls the DNA out of its head after infection, with conserved design principles across all Schitoviridae phages.
Researchers from Germany and the USA have developed a standardized data description to provide fluorescence-based integrative structural models and their dynamics for large biomolecules. This makes it possible to access experiment-based training data for next-generation AI tools.
Research highlights molecular chaperones' role in maintaining tumor suppressor stability and functional integrity. This understanding is crucial for developing targeted therapies for multiple cancers.
The red milkweed beetle's genome has been sequenced, providing insights into how it safely feeds on toxic plants. The study found an apparent expansion of genes related to toxin sequestration and metabolic enzymes.
A team of UVA researchers, including Phil Bourne and Cam Mura, develop a new computational framework called DeepUrfold to explore structural similarities in proteins. This framework identifies faint relationships between proteins that were previously considered unrelated, revolutionizing the field of protein structure analysis.
A team of researchers discovered a mechanism that determines the spiral shape of Rhodospirillum bacteria, revealing a novel link between cell shape and fitness. The study found that an outer membrane porin-lipoprotein complex modulates elongasome movement to establish cell curvature in R. rubrum.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo create terpene-based chiral capsules that facilitate the easy preparation of well-defined host–guest composites with tunable chiroptical properties. The resulting composites can be used in water without organic solvents, paving the way for advances in cutting-edge optical technologies.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have imaged the structure of RSV proteins, which are crucial for the virus's interaction with host cells. The images reveal that pairs of F proteins may be a key target for destabilizing the virus and preventing infection.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have developed a clearer picture of how crucial machinery in the human cell's recycling process for obsolete and misshapen proteins—known as proteasomes—are formed. The research team shed new light on how two protein chaperones bind on the top of the alpha subunit ring as it is constructed.
Researchers at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg have observed proteins restructuring themselves to produce inositol, a key substance for metabolism. The study reveals that this process occurs in multiple similar proteins, shedding light on their functions.
Researchers at Mizzou have developed Cryo2Struct, a computer program that uses AI to build the three-dimensional atomic structure of large protein complexes from cryo-electron microscopy images. This breakthrough enables scientists to better understand protein interactions, critical for developing effective treatments for diseases like...
Researchers at Rice University have uncovered new information about the structure of cholesterol molecules in cell membranes using Raman spectroscopy. The study sheds light on previously unknown structural variations and provides a simplified framework for analyzing membrane cholesterol chain structures.
Mutations in the fifth segment of the ryanodine receptor channel (S5) lead to altered gating mechanisms and muscle disorders. The study identified three mutations linked to malignant hyperthermia and eight associated with central core disease, highlighting a novel regulatory mechanism of the RyR1 channel.
Researchers found that biological condensates, previously overlooked cellular structures, play a significant role in modulating cell activity and influencing global traits such as antibiotic resistance. These 'blobs' can separate or trap proteins and molecules, affecting cellular behavior and electrochemical processes.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have identified the protein complex that enables the hepatitis C virus to infect cells. This discovery is a significant step towards developing a vaccine against the disease, which causes chronic inflammation and 300,000 deaths annually worldwide. The study's results, published in Nature maga...
Scientists discover a dynamic paxillin-integrin interaction that enables flexible yet stable cell cohesion. This finding may lead to the development of new medical agents targeting cellular adhesion points.
Researchers from Medical University of Vienna discovered that TRPV1 is the primary detector of noxious heat in humans, but other molecular mechanisms contribute to protective heat avoidance. The findings have significant implications for research into heat damage prevention and potential new therapies.
Researchers from the University of Leeds and international partners have created an oil-free super-lubricant from potato proteins, achieving near zero friction. The material uses natural protein building blocks with a lower carbon footprint, opening doors for sustainable biomedical applications and low-calorie foods.
Researchers at Rice University have created a roadmap showing how proteins interact to form the nanometer-thin shell of gas vesicles. This breakthrough enables the development of medically useful GV varieties in the lab, which can be used for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Researchers used AlphaFold2 to predict structural effects of mutations on protein stability, finding correlations between small structural changes and stability changes. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for protein engineering, enabling scientists to design proteins with specific functions more effectively.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes used computational tools to predict the 3D shapes of nearly 70,000 viral proteins, uncovering a powerful way viruses evade host immune defenses. The study found that bacteria-infecting and animal viruses share an ancient mechanism to evade immune systems.
Researchers have developed a new method to predict protein movements by teaching AI about energetic frustration. This improves the accuracy of tools like AlphaFold2 in predicting alternative structures and functional movements. The study has significant implications for drug design, enzyme engineering, and disease mechanisms.
A new study from the Cusack group sheds light on how avian influenza virus can mutate to replicate in mammalian cells. The key enzyme polymerase must adapt to overcome two main barriers: entering and replicating within host cells, as well as acquiring human transmission capabilities.
A study found that chromatin's spatial structure plays a key role in the evolution of social behavior in dogs. The researchers examined an intronic section of the GTF2I gene, which influences chromatin's spatial structure and causes differences in gene expression.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science created a novel mechanical motif, double-helical monometallofoldamers, with controllable chiral switching properties. The new molecule can undergo inversion switching in response to external stimuli, paving the way for novel high-order molecular systems and molecular information processing.
Researchers have discovered that ribosomes play a crucial role in protein folding, directing folding pathways by impacting energy and stability. This discovery reveals the structural basis of how ribosomes affect protein folding, offering new insights into diseases such as cancers.
A new study reveals that the protein CRTC plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy heart by ensuring it is neither too thick nor too thin. The research also shows that overexpression of CRTC causes cardiac hypertrophy, leading to adverse cardiovascular events.
Researchers found that folded peptides are more electrically conductive than their unfolded counterparts due to the formation of a specific secondary structure called the 3_10 helix. This discovery has implications for the design and development of molecular electronic devices.
Researchers at Wash U used single-molecule orientation-localization microscopy to study the nano-architecture of amyloid fibrils, revealing their growth and decay patterns. They found multiple ways A-beta can remain stable or grow and decay, with surprising results on its underlying structure.
Researchers have developed a multi-component hydrogel scaffold to mimic the amyloid-beta containing microenvironment associated with AD. The study found elevated levels of neuroinflammation and apoptosis markers in healthy neuronal progenitor cells cultured within this environment.
Scientists have clarified how the DDM1 protein prevents 'jumping gene' transcription by making it accessible to suppressing chemical marks. This discovery has implications for understanding genetic conditions and developing new treatments for humans.
Researchers have determined the structure of molecules within an Alzheimer's disease brain for the first time using cryo-electron tomography and fluorescence microscopy. This study revealed the molecular structure of tau protein and its arrangement with amyloid plaques, providing new insights into the pathology of the disease.
A new machine learning-based method uses 3D structure of protein backbone with large language models to predict molecular changes that lead to better antibody drugs. The approach resulted in a 25-fold improvement against a virus, outperforming traditional methods that rely on generating huge amounts of data about protein sequences.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg developed an AI model called Candycrunch to automate the analysis of glycan structures in cancer cells. The model can identify abnormal structures and biomarkers in just a few seconds, accelerating the discovery of new treatments.
Researchers develop a method that fuses AlphaFold's strengths with computer simulations based on physics laws to predict protein structures, enabling faster drug development. The approach filters down initial hypotheses to a more manageable set of structures, increasing the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals.
Researchers at U of T have developed a deep-learning model called PepFlow that can predict the full range of conformations for peptides, which are shorter than proteins but perform similar biological functions. The model combines machine learning and physics to capture precise and accurate conformations within minutes.
AlphaFold's groundbreaking ability to predict protein structures is set to transform predictive medicine, enabling the development of personalized vaccines and adaptive clinical trials. However, the review also highlights crucial challenges and ethical considerations surrounding AI integration with clinical data.
Researchers from PSI and ETH Zurich studied connexin-36 gap junction channels and found that antimalarial drug mefloquine binds to the channels, potentially explaining its severe side effects. The study provides new insights into how drugs interact with connexins and may lead to the development of therapies for neurological diseases.
Researchers at Colorado State University used human stem cells to study synaptic connections in the brain, focusing on GABAergic synapses. They found that Gephyrin promotes autonomous assembly of these synapses, which can develop independently of neuronal communication. This understanding could lead to new treatments for neurological d...
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered the mechanism of action of the widely-used epilepsy drug perampanel, which targets the AMPA receptor to dampen brain cell excitability. The study provides new insights into the potential applications of perampanel in treating other neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease,...