Articles tagged with Structural Biology
Researchers at Salk Institute develop novel 'dye-cycling' strategy to measure RNA polymerase movement along DNA with unprecedented lengths of time. This breakthrough provides critical mechanical insights into how genes are transcribed in cells, shedding light on the fundamental processes of life.
Scientists have discovered how certain DNA repair enzymes preferentially target specific genetic sequences, leading to the accumulation of mutations in vulnerable regions. This understanding has implications for cancer development and the evolutionary process.
Researchers have developed a technique that can map protein movements over time, revealing dynamic behaviors in molecules with similar structures. This insight improves understanding of protein function and paves the way for training AI models to predict protein behavior.
Researchers have found a new compound that promotes joint health and reduces inflammation-related genes in a model of osteoarthritis. The drug, M04, has shown promise as an innovative OA therapy by slowing down the disease process, giving people more years of pain-free living.
New research from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center sheds light on leukemia resistance to promising new drugs and the role of bone hardness in the immune battle against metastasis. A telehealth tobacco treatment program also shows promise in helping cancer patients quit smoking.
Epithelial tissues respond to sustained mechanical stress by slowly reorganising their keratin cytoskeleton, forming supracellular networks that push the cell nucleus out of its protective cage. This process reveals a new mechanism for tissue adaptation and has implications for development and disease understanding.
A new study reveals sericin is an active conductor that directs the self-assembly of silk fibroin into ordered nanofibrils through liquid-liquid phase separation. This discovery fundamentally revises the textbook view of sericin and its role in natural fibers, opening doors to engineering materials with similar architectures.
Researchers use AI models to design synthetic RNA-guided nucleases with novel properties, outperforming natural enzymes in multiple cell types. The study reveals new structures and interactions of AI-designed proteins, demonstrating their potential for genetic engineering applications.
A team of researchers from Saitama University has discovered a natural peptide aptamer called Calmodulin-binding peptide (CBP) that can selectively recognize two structurally distinct proteins, calmodulin and human midkine. CBP binds to calmodulin in the presence of calcium ions and to human midkine in the presence of sodium ions.
Researchers use cryo-electron microscopy to reveal the 3D structure of Mfa pili in P. gingivalis, understanding its role in attaching to host tissues and other microbes. This information can aid in developing therapeutic strategies to block attachment and infection.
Researchers designed artificial proteins that simultaneously form pentagonal and hexagonal arrangements to create virus-like structures. These structures can stably carry drugs, genetic materials, and enzymes within their interior space.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati's Center for Advanced Structural Biology have visualized the structure of iRhom1 bound to the ADAM17 enzyme, shedding light on its role in regulating cell surface protein targets. This breakthrough discovery may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
The study revealed that sodium binding and electron transfer drive a precise dual trigger, pumping sodium ions across the cell membrane. This understanding provides a powerful new framework for designing targeted antibacterial drugs.
A team of researchers has developed a deep learning-based method called DeepAFM to analyze noisy atomic force microscopy (AFM) images and infer protein states. The method produces accurate results, even with background noise and scanning distortions.
A team of researchers has uncovered a promising new target for antimalarial drug design, identifying an enzyme called aminopeptidase P from the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The new inhibitors have been shown to bind more strongly and selectively than existing compounds, demonstrating potential as a new class of drugs to combat malaria.
The UK-led OpenBind initiative has released its first publicly available dataset and predictive AI model, accelerating the discovery of new medicines using artificial intelligence. The release showcases high-quality, standardized experimental data and a trained predictive model, enabling researchers worldwide to drive the next generati...
Researchers have captured an unprecedented view of gene transcription by observing RNA polymerase mid-reaction. The findings provide a universal blueprint for gene expression and clarify how the enzyme initiates its core reaction through a water-mediated mechanism.
Researchers from UNIGE have identified a molecular mechanism regulating cellular balance and found that TORC2's activation is controlled by a molecular 'cork'. This discovery paves the way for targeting this mechanism to treat diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Researchers have discovered a way to prevent the collaboration between two important cancer-related proteins, N-MYC and Aurora A. This breakthrough could lead to new medications to combat childhood cancer. The study, published in Nature Communications, provides insights into how these proteins interact with each other.
Researchers mapped out the structure of a key player, augmin, in exhaustive detail, revealing its role in plant cell division and shape regulation. The study's findings could lead to new medical treatments and strategies for breeding higher-quality rice and cotton crops.
Researchers characterized the structure and function of a protein that regulates sugar and fat levels, finding it can work with an unexpected partner - itself. This partnership may drive the expression of different genes than its usual partner, offering new therapeutic targets for diseases like liver cancer and diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a high-resolution 3D map of the Andes virus, a crucial step towards developing vaccines and treatments against hantaviruses. The new structure allows for the design of effective vaccines and antibody therapies.
Scientists at the University of Delaware discovered a previously unknown structural role for the HIV integrase protein, which forms gluey filaments that anchor the RNA genome to the capsid. This discovery provides a promising new target for drug development and could lead to the development of next-generation inhibitors.
Research reveals that podocytes in aged rats adapt by increasing volume and forming atypical junctions to compensate for loss, while exporting unnecessary cellular components into the extracellular space. The study employed array tomography to elucidate age-related structural changes, shedding light on the mechanisms of aging glomeruli.
Scientists at HZI have developed a new technique to visualize the complex process of bacterial capsule production. They used cryo-electron microscopy to study the Wza-Wzc transport channel, which is responsible for knitting the sugar cloak that protects bacteria from the environment and immune cells.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown molecular mechanism for initiating gene transcription in cells under stress. Using cryogenic electron microscopy, they observed how dinucleoside polyphosphate molecules bind to RNA polymerase, enabling the formation of alternative caps that protect cellular RNA.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has partnered with Research Networks to publish Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, Computational and Structural Biotechnology Reports, and Brain Organoid & Systems Neuroscience Journal as Science Partner Journals. These journals will publish high-quality re...
A chemist proposes a framework for shared model proteins to improve reproducibility and coordination in protein science. The proposal includes five widely used proteins and aims to establish minimal reporting requirements and curated reference datasets.
A new study provides a long-sought structural explanation for how Vibrio cholerae colonizes the human gut and produces the cholera toxin. The research reveals that ToxR and TcpP stabilize a specific part of the RNA polymerase directly onto DNA, achieving virulence gene activation without reshaping the transcription machinery.
Researchers at Colorado State University used AI to modify antibodies into stable intrabodies that can visualize histone modifications in real-time. This allows for better understanding of gene expression and its relationship with cancer and other disorders. The team created 19 new antibody-based probes with a 70% success rate, signifi...
Bacteria move through liquids using propellerlike tails called flagella, which alternate between clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. Researchers propose a tug-of-war mechanism instead of the traditional equilibrium 'domino effect' model, where proteins lining the tail exert pressure on their neighbors.
The study created a critical framework for understanding the architecture of the genome and its association with gene function in cells. The 4DN Consortium integrated data from over a dozen techniques to compile an extensive catalogue of looping interactions between genes and regulatory elements.
A molecular gatekeeper called NAC controls protein synthesis by recruiting specific enzymes to modify proteins during translation. This complex ensures the correct processing and transportation of newly emerging proteins, crucial for proper function.
A study from UMBC reveals a conserved RNA-protein interaction as a promising target for broad-spectrum enterovirus antivirals. The researchers found that a fusion protein called 3CD recruits proteins to assemble the replication complex, and targeting this interface could lead to universal drugs.
Researchers discovered that the nuclear pore complex is a dynamic system with a ring-shaped scaffold surrounded by flexible FG domains. The complex's architecture and crowded environment work together to selectably allow transport receptors and their cargo to pass through.
Cancer researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified key proteins that determine the behavior of two hard-to-treat carcinomas, pancreatic cancer and tuft cell lung cancer. These findings could lead to new therapies targeting specific vulnerabilities in these cancers.
Scientists have captured detailed images of NMDA receptors held open by natural gatekeepers and synthetic regulators, revealing how they control ion flow. This understanding can inform the design of safe and effective therapies for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown genetic disease, MINA syndrome, which damages motor neurons and affects movement and muscle control. The disease is caused by a rare genetic mutation in the NAMPT protein, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and foot deformities.
A new study reveals how pathogenic bacteria construct Eut microcompartments to digest ethanolamine, a nutrient commonly found in the gut. Understanding their assembly offers new targets for antimicrobial therapies.
A new study reveals the first detailed structure of HvAACT1, a barley root protein that enables plants to tolerate aluminum-rich acidic soils. This breakthrough provides the structural basis for citrate efflux in plants and has implications for designing crops that can withstand difficult conditions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine reveal a potential molecular link between air pollutants and an increased risk of developing Lewy body dementia. Exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) triggered the formation of abnormal alpha-synuclein clumps in mice, similar to those found in human patients with Lewy body dementia.
Researchers Jeremy McCormack and Andrei Kuzhelev at Goethe University are investigating the reasons behind prehistoric shark extinctions using new isotopic analysis methods. They also develop a novel nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique to study large biomolecules.
Researchers discovered that disordered regions of the ZFTA-RELA fusion protein cause the formation of droplets within cells called condensates, which are essential for ependymoma development. The study provides a new therapeutic frontier by targeting the interacting partners within these condensates.
Researchers at Syracuse University found that slow-moving tissues generate mechanical forces that help sculpt developing organs, such as the zebrafish's body symmetry. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of organ formation and inform treatments for birth defects and other conditions.
A University of Missouri-led study has uncovered how poplar trees can naturally adjust a key part of their wood chemistry based on changes in their environment, supporting improved bioenergy production. The discovery sheds light on the role of lignin and its potential to create better biofuels and sustainable products.
Researchers created a glycan-binding protein that can analyze and treat diseases via sugar patterns found on the surface of cells. The tool, named sCore2, was developed by retraining an enzyme to bind to specific sugars, providing a new way to study glycans and their role in disease.
Tiny folding factories, composed of multiple chaperones, enable efficient protein folding in cells. This discovery has significant implications for treating diseases caused by misfolded proteins, such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
Australian researchers have visualised a key protein complex in malaria parasites for the first time, uncovering a new target for next-generation vaccines. The discovery has led to the development of a promising mRNA vaccine candidate that stops the malaria parasite from reproducing inside mosquitoes, breaking the cycle of transmission...
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital used cryo-electron microscopy to study the full range of motion of sweet taste receptors, discovering a previously unknown mechanism of activation that complements unbound and bound structures of the receptor.
Laminin-411 protein and its derived peptide A4G47 exhibit pro-myelinating activity in oligodendrocytes, promoting myelin sheath formation. This discovery advances understanding of myelin sheath formation and potential applications for treating demyelinating diseases.
The study reveals that four units of ZapA protein form an asymmetric ladder-like structure with FtsZ protofilaments, impacting the alignment of the Z-ring. The interaction between ZapA and FtsZ is dynamic, with cooperative binding and structural alterations, enabling the maintenance of FtsZ mobility.
The team built a high-resolution 3D structure of the Powassan virus, shedding light on its transmission and potential therapeutics. The findings could inform future treatments and preventions for this emerging tick-borne disease.
Scientists from the University of Bath have identified two new families of chemical compounds that inhibit alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (MCR) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a key enzyme for TB survival. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for TB and potentially other diseases like prostate cancer.
Researchers at King's College London used cryo-electron microscopy to study the flagellum in unprecedented detail, revealing its architecture and identifying potential drug targets. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for bacterial infections without driving resistance.
Researchers have elucidated the molecular composition of a pigment produced by anaerobic bacteria, revealing its role in cellulose degradation. The pigment shows mild antibiotic activity against Gram-positive bacteria.
Biophysicist Christian Spahn's ERC Advanced Grant project aims to capture the ultra-fast intermediate steps of ribosomes in action. Using a supermicroscope, his team will analyze hundreds of thousands of images to visualize rare, short-lived states of ribosomes at atomic resolution.
Scientists have discovered a novel way to block an enzyme involved in regulating blood pressure, called ACE. Ciprofloxacin binds selectively to a different site, blocking angiotensin I but not inhibiting the enzyme's other functions.
Using a novel GPS NMR method, researchers tracked the motion of a key GPCR and found that it doesn't simply switch between two states. Instead, it exists in a dynamic conformational equilibrium between inactive, preactive, and active states.
Researchers discovered an ancient protein that can function in a mirror world, challenging the long-standing assumption that mirror-image proteins cannot bind to nucleic acids. The study found that a simple protein motif is capable of interacting with both natural and mirror-image nucleic acids.
Wesley Sundquist's lab developed lenacapavir, an exceptionally effective HIV-preventing drug with 99.9 to 100 percent efficacy in clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people. The drug has the potential to dramatically decrease infection rates worldwide if distributed broadly.