A team of researchers has shed light on the mechanism of outer membrane protein assembly in bacteria, revealing key conformational changes made by a chaperone protein. The study's findings may help identify new targets for antibacterial agents and improve our understanding of Gram-negative bacteria's resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers have developed a device that cuts sample consumption by as much as 97% while producing high-quality structural data for X-ray crystallography. This innovation enables the study of rare proteins and accelerates drug discovery, unlocking new insights into disease mechanisms.
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 designed a synthetic antigen with high expression levels and stability, offering potential for quick adaptation to new variants. The vaccine candidate triggered strong immune response in animal models and showed enhanced protective efficacy.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered a unique cryptochrome protein in marine bristle worms that distinguishes between sunlight and moonlight. The protein's structure reveals an unusual light-induced change from dimer to monomer arrangements, allowing it to synchronize reproduction with lunar phases.
Researchers discovered a unique protein in bristle worms that distinguishes between sunlight and moonlight. The protein, L-Cry, disassembles under intense light and forms a stable connection in the dark.
Researchers created artificial allosteric sites in protein complexes using computational design to regulate concerted functions. This breakthrough holds promise for industry, biology, medicine, and agriculture.
Researchers develop AI-designed synthetic polymers that mimic specific functions of natural proteins, working as well as the real protein and easier to synthesize. The polymers could be a game-changer for biomedical applications, including drug delivery and photosynthesis.
Researchers have developed a technique to record cellular events in a long protein chain, allowing them to reconstruct the timing of gene activation, response to drugs, and other processes. This method has potential applications in understanding memory formation, aging, and disease progression.
Researchers used native top-down mass spectroscopy to study the interplay between glycans and oligomerization in various therapeutic hormones and cytokines. They found that glycans significantly stabilize some proteins, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, while others, like interferon-β, are independent of glycosylation status.
SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2022
A new study by Marshall University researchers found that inhibiting Na+/K+ ATPase alpha 1 subunit proteins dramatically inhibited in vivo thrombosis in male mice. The study suggests that targeting this protein could lead to a novel anti-thrombotic therapy with fewer side effects.
Researchers have modelled a key mechanism by which DNA replicates, revealing details about how helicases wrangle DNA during replication. The simulations showed each step of translocation can travel more than 12 nucleotides along the backbone, pinpointing interactions involved in long-distance movement.
SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 9, 2022
Researchers studied peptide bond formation between tRNA molecules and a ribosomal RNA segment, revealing the potential for minihelices to bind to the primordial peptidyl transferase center. The study suggests that functional interactions between tRNA and PTC could have been 'revised' in evolution.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a critical step in the molecular circuitry of immune cells that mobilizes the immune system to fight off foreign invaders. The findings, published in iScience, shed light on subtle genetic variations among human populations that may explain individual responses to infections.
Researchers have uncovered new details of human ribosome maturation, revealing a crucial step in protein synthesis. The study identifies key enzymes and proteins involved in the final trimming step, which is essential for producing functional ribosomes.
Researchers at LMU Munich uncover 'molting' process of 90S precursor to small 40S subunit, shedding Russian doll analogy on ribosome maturation. The study sheds new light on the complex process of protein synthesis and its importance in maintaining cellular equilibrium.
Researchers from Kazan Federal University and Moscow State University studied the Est3 subunit of telomerase, revealing its importance for stabilizing the whole protein complex. The study used NMR spectrometry to understand the spatial structure and interactions of Est3 molecules.
Researchers discovered how SARS-CoV-2 inhibits protein synthesis in infected cells, effectively disarming the body's immune response. The Nonstructural Protein 1 (Nsp1) is a central weapon used by the virus to replicate and propagate, targeting the 40S subunit of ribosomes.
Researchers from Kazan Federal University and their international partners have discovered how Staphylococcus aureus resists antibiotics using cryoelectron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The RsfS protein protects the bacteria by preventing ribosome formation.
Researchers at the University of Illinois constructed synthetic microbial communities to study their dynamics and predict behavior. The study found that increasing variability in microbial interactions drives community structure, and that characterizing this variation can empower predictions of ecosystem succession.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University revealed the flagellar hook's mechanics, showing how it acts as a dynamic joint to transmit torque and enable bacterial motility. The study provides insights into the hook's flexible and rigid structure, allowing for dynamic shifts in its conformation.
Researchers have identified a genetic suppressor of flp stomatal defects, which acts downstream from core cell cycle genes to ensure terminal division during stomatal development. The study found that CDK-mediated phosphorylation at the N-terminus of RPA2a is essential for RPA functioning and localization.
Scientists from the Salk Institute discovered a new protein complex that keeps embryonic stem cells at their fullest potential, allowing them to maintain their indefinite potential. This discovery could provide a future target for regenerative therapies.
A UC Riverside-led study deciphers the key elements for assembling large viruses, which may aid in interrupting their formation and containing viral diseases. The research uses continuum elasticity theory to explain how protein subunits arrange themselves into stable icosahedral structures with precision and symmetry.
Theoretical analyses show that different motor proteins moving on the same filament can block each other's motion, leading to patterned distributions and emergent topological hindrance. This phenomenon was not previously modeled, but is now understood through a new theoretical model developed by LMU physicists.
Scientists from Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin have produced high-resolution snapshots of the 50S subunit assembly process in bacteria. The study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of ribosome assembly and reveals potential targets for developing new antibacterial drugs.
Late-stage assembly intermediates of the human small ribosomal subunit have been structurally characterized, revealing detailed insights into their maturation principles. The findings suggest that the assembly sequence is controlled by biogenesis factors and involves several defined steps.
Researchers develop a new male birth control pill by modifying ouabain, an African plant-based heart-stopping poison. The derivative binds strongly to α4 protein in sperm cells, interfering with fertilization. The compound has shown no toxicity in rats and may offer reversible contraception.
Researchers at MPFI uncovered the role of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in determining neurotransmitter release and brain function. The team developed new methods to directly monitor channel impact, revealing a previously unknown region of the alpha subunit controlling channel positioning.
Biomedical engineers found that different beta subunits attach to the main protein in a unique way, affecting the channel's control over the heartbeat. This discovery could lead to precision medicine and therapies tailored to individual needs.
The 'Iron Hammer' protein complex plays a crucial role in splitting the two subunits of the ribosome after protein synthesis is complete. The researchers used advanced techniques to reveal the structure of this complex and its interaction with the small ribosomal subunit.
Researchers found a way to break up p97 complex into its subunits using ASPL protein, which could be a promising new approach to kill proliferating cancer cells. This discovery may lead to the identification of smaller molecules that can disrupt the structure of p97 in a targeted manner.
Using an experimental co-culture method, researchers identified a protein subunit that reverses mutated gene effects in Huntington's disease. The study provides clues to potential new treatments and suggests that expression of the TRiC protein subunit may rescue atrophy of striatal neurons.
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have solved the structure of a common virus's biological machinery, revealing important traits in Lassa virus. The research provides valuable insights into how to defend against its deadly cousin, Lassa fever, and may lead to the development of new treatments.
Researchers have discovered that PPP3CA and calcineurin are potential therapeutic targets for treating multiple myeloma. The study found that inhibition of calcineurin with FK506 promoted MM cell death, suggesting a promising new approach for treating this disease.
Researchers identify ADGRE2 gene mutation responsible for vibratory urticaria, a rare inherited disorder causing hives and allergic symptoms upon vibration. The study reveals a key role of the mast cell response to physical stimuli in disease development, offering new insights into immune system functions.
Researchers at TSRI have solved a long-standing mystery about the 'relief-valve' that protects cells from swelling. The study reveals that VRAC is a complex structure with five protein subunits, which determines its relief-valve properties. Different cell types may need different forms of VRAC to cope with their environments.
Researchers at MSU clarify how living cells determine the start of protein synthesis, introducing a new facet to the mechanism. The discovery reveals that GTP hydrolysis plays a crucial role in determining whether a ribosome recognizes an AUG codon or not.
Researchers have unlocked the structure of a plant virus using groundbreaking microscopy, revealing key to building custom virus-like particles that can carry medicines into the human body. The findings could lead to the development of targeted medicines.
Researchers created a tethered artificial ribosome called Ribo-T, which works nearly as well as the natural cellular component. The engineered ribosome enables production of new drugs and biomaterials, and may lead to better understanding of ribosome function.
Researchers have discovered how αA-crystallin and αB-crystallin proteins prevent protein clumping in the ocular lens, paving the way for new treatment approaches. The molecular switch mechanism triggers protein activation when cells are stressed, such as under heat or stress.
The researchers determined the structure of NatA, a protein complex modifying nearly 85% of human proteins, and found it essential for cancer cell proliferation. The team believes their findings will allow them to create an inhibitor that can knock out NatA, potentially curbing cancer growth.
Researchers discovered a protein linked to cognitive impairments in Angelman syndrome, a condition characterized by autism, intellectual disability, and motor abnormalities. The study found that reducing the expression of this protein improved cognitive function in Angelman syndrome model mice.
Researchers uncovered how an enzyme co-factor bestows specificity on a class of proteins with nonspecific biochemical activity, expanding scientists' view of co-factors role in disease. The discovery suggests manipulating co-factors could alter protein activity, potentially treating diseases.
Scientists have successfully observed protein unfolding at atomic resolution, revealing the intermediate forms that occur during folding. The study may contribute to a better understanding of how proteins misfold in diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's Chorea.
Researchers have identified a crucial quality control mechanism in cell growth, ensuring proteins are produced correctly. The study sheds light on the assembly of ribosomes, complex machines inside cells responsible for producing proteins.
Scientists at IDIBELL have found a new checkpoint in cell cycle control through the joint action of two proteins, RPL11 and RPL5, which disrupts ribosomal biogenesis. This leads to the activation of p53 protein and cell cycle arrest.
Indiana University researchers have discovered that specific types of RNA polymerase enzymes differ in function based on variation in their protein subunits. This finding reveals the importance of subunit composition in selecting which genes are silenced or expressed, with implications for understanding genetic disorders and diseases.
Researchers have identified an enteric virus-binding protein (EVBP) found in activated sludge, capable of capturing norovirus, rotavirus, and poliovirus. This breakthrough could enable the detection of low concentrations of viruses in water supplies.
Researchers found genetic evidence that links fluid balance to a turning point in evolution, with the emergence of ENaC and Na-K-ATPase coinciding with multi-cellular organisms. The study suggests a link between these genes and the development of complex life forms.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab derived atomic-scale resolution structures of the ribosome, a protein-making machine. The high-resolution structures reveal molecular-scale compression springs and torsion springs made of RNA, keeping the subunits tethered together during large-scale motions.
A Jackson Laboratory research team has identified a mutation in a gene essential for correct protein-processing, which disrupts cellular development and growth. The study found that defects in the chaperone proteins lead to photoreceptor degeneration, central nervous system abnormalities, and male infertility.
Researchers create highly stable chemical compounds that can bind to proteins with high affinity and selectivity, replacing traditional antibodies used in medical diagnostic tests. The technique involves a stepwise approach using in situ click chemistry, allowing for the creation of complex molecules in a relatively simple process.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have crystallized and characterized the H5N1 virus's RNA polymerase protein, a crucial component in viral replication. The study reveals an unexpected relationship between two subunits of the protein, which could inspire therapies to prevent the spread of bird flu.
A single VSOP protein can carry protons, regulating pH conditions during pathogen removal, and may aid in designing new medications for innate immunity enhancement.
A Montana State University researcher has made significant breakthroughs in developing a live vaccine against genital herpes. The study found that mice vaccinated with a genetically-modified herpes simplex virus type 1 showed no signs of disease after exposure to the wild-type strain.
Dr. Varshavsky's pioneering studies revealed ubiquitin's diverse roles in cell cycle, DNA repair, and responses to stress, advancing the field of molecular genetics. The March of Dimes Prize acknowledges his significant contributions to understanding birth defects, neurodegenerative syndromes, cancer, and immune disorders.
Researchers develop method to prevent amyloid formation by stabilizing the native state of proteins, preventing disease-associated subunits from contributing to fibril formation. This approach has potential therapeutic applications for various amyloid diseases, including familial amyloid polyneuropathy and cardiac disorders.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that continuous expression of the HIF-1a gene can induce formation of new blood vessels in mice. This breakthrough has significant therapeutic potential for treating diseases such as diabetes and recalcitrant wounds.
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.