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Blue light for RNA control

Scientists at the Universities of Bayreuth and Bonn have found a way to regulate RNA molecule activity using blue light, enabling on/off control of gene expression. This breakthrough discovery is the basis for optoribogenetics, a new field of research.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateAug 26, 2019

Genetic discovery may improve corn quality, yields

Researchers have discovered genetic regulators that synthesize starch and protein in corn, improving its yield and nutritional value. The study, published in PNAS, found two transcription factors that play key roles in regulating starch and protein synthesis, paving the way for further research to improve corn quality.

SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2019

It's all in the code: protein production efficiency can be predicted by gene sequence

Researchers discovered a correlation between mRNA codon composition and protein abundance, revealing the importance of gene sequence optimization for efficient translation. The study's findings have significant implications for medicine and bioengineering, offering new avenues for treating diseases and boosting biotech applications.

A new mechanism helps explain differences between eukaryotic and bacterial proteomes

A new mechanism has been discovered that allows eukaryotic cells to synthesize proteins absent in prokaryotes, leading to the enrichment of genes coding for transfer RNAs involved in this process. This finding may lead to the development of strategies to inhibit protein production in diseases caused by their overabundance.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateJan 11, 2019

Bioengineers create pathway to personalized medicine

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method for producing complex proteins, known as glycoproteins, in a cell-free system. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine by allowing for rapid and sustainable production of tailored protein medicines. The new approach uses a simplified reaction scheme tha...

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 12, 2018

Remote control of transport through nanopores

Scientists have developed a way to alter external factors like voltage to control the transport of molecules through biological channels. The study, published in EPJ E, shows that applying an electric current can overcome energy barriers and facilitate molecule transfer.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMay 22, 2018

Mechanical force controls the speed of protein synthesis

Researchers discovered that mechanical forces control protein synthesis speeds by influencing ribosome tunnel geometry and protein segment movement. This finding may lead to a better understanding of disease mechanisms linked to defective protein synthesis.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 16, 2018

Flaw found in water treatment method

A recent study from Johns Hopkins University reveals a flaw in the water treatment process that can create toxic transformation products, including 2-butene-1,4-dial. This compound has been linked to negative effects on human cells and may be responsible for toxicity in cigarette smoke and car exhaust.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 2, 2018

New innovations in cell-free biotechnology

A Northwestern University-led team has developed a new way to manufacture proteins outside of a cell, which could have important implications for therapeutics and biomaterials. The team successfully produced high yields of proteins with non-canonical amino acids, opening up possibilities for decentralized manufacturing and distribution...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 23, 2018

Nano-switches in the cell

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which mitochondria regulate protein synthesis in response to oxidative stress. Using quantitative mass spectrometry and biochemical methods, the team identified redox-active thiols that can slow down cellular protein synthesis machinery when reactive oxygen species are present.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 2, 2018

Protein intentionally terminates own synthesis by destabilizing synthesis machinery -- the ribosome

Researchers found that proteins with specific sequences can trigger the degradation of their own synthetic ribosomes, leading to aborted translation. However, living organisms also possess a mechanism to counteract this phenomenon, allowing for precise regulation of protein expression in response to environmental changes.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 20, 2017

Protein turnover could be clue to living longer

Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered an errant protein process in a rare genetic disorder that could help healthy people live longer. The study found rapid protein turnover and enlarged nucleoli in progeria cells, which may serve as biomarkers for aging.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 30, 2017

Eating protein three times a day could make our seniors stronger

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming protein throughout the day, rather than just at two meals, can lead to greater muscle mass and strength in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,800 seniors in Quebec and discovered a positive correlation between balanced protein intake a...

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateAug 30, 2017

Neurobiology: Lessons by post

A dedicated transport system has been characterized that delivers specific mRNAs to active synapses, allowing for the modulation of synaptic junctions and enabling learning and memory. The key factor involved in this transport binds specifically to regions of its mRNA cargo lacking protein-coding information.

The role of the tunnel

A team of scientists has identified a crucial step in the protein-sorting process, revealing that the signal recognition particle (SRP) recognizes membrane proteins before they are fully synthesized. This discovery highlights the importance of ribosomal tunnels in coordinating protein transport and sorting.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJan 31, 2017

Cell biology: Take the mRNA train

Researchers have characterized the structure of a macromolecular complex involved in mRNA transport, showing how RNAs are recognized and bound by binding proteins in the nucleus. The complex allows for the specific recognition and transport of mRNAs from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJan 17, 2017