Articles tagged with Structural Biology
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have unveiled the core structure of cyanobacteria's light-harvesting antenna, revealing key features that collect energy and block excess light absorption. The study provides insights into future energy applications and helps explain how living organisms maximize photosynthetic efficiency.
Researchers find that inhibiting pro-IL-1α helps modulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation, reducing damage to mitochondria and alleviating inflammation. This discovery offers potential therapeutic applications for treating various diseases, including atherosclerosis, arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a protein footprinting method called Fast Photochemical Oxidation of Proteins (FPOP) to investigate protein structure and interactions. FPOP offers advantages such as fast labeling time, irreversible nature, high sensitivity, and broad amino acid residue coverage.
Bioinformaticians at Friedrich Schiller University Jena developed a new method called CANOPUS that assigns structural properties to unidentified metabolites, increasing knowledge gained from examining molecules. The two-stage process uses machine learning methods to identify compound classes.
A team of researchers from the University of Barcelona has developed a new protocol combining multicomponent reactions with domino type processes to synthesize complex molecules. The study reveals a key principle that enables access to high structural complexity, offering a more efficient and sustainable synthetic pathway.
Researchers have mapped the molecular structure of a potent COVID-19 antibody, CV30, which neutralizes the virus by interfering with its surface spikes and inducing critical pieces to break off. The antibody's unique shape allows it to overlap with the virus's target site on human cells, blunting its ability to infect.
Researchers develop new approach to acquire structural data of membrane proteins, including GPCRs, using LCP crystallization and MicroED. This method enables the determination of detailed structures of previously inaccessible proteins.
Researchers use a new method to extract information from cryo-EM data, enabling the visualization of minimum free-energy pathways during simulations. This study demonstrates the potential of cryo-EM in understanding biological functions and has implications for drug discovery.
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to capture detailed conformational changes involving the β1-adrenergic receptor and its activation mechanism. The findings provide new details for improved therapeutic treatments for cardiac disease, a leading cause of death worldwide.
Researchers at Tokyo Tech developed a synthetic channel that can mimic natural ion channels, demonstrating self-assembling and functionally active orientation of artificial molecules in membranes. The study shows promising results for biomimetic regulation and potential applications in sensing and separation devices.
Structural biologists successfully modeled the novel coronavirus' vital proteins, which could lead to therapeutic breakthroughs. Advances in technology and expertise from similar coronaviruses enabled rapid progress in determining protein structures.
Researchers developed a process that reduces computational protein design work by using 3D structural models to project novel combinations of molecular blocks. This approach could ease the development of new medications and materials.
Researchers from TUM have identified a new role for the alpha-A-crystallin protein in protecting other proteins from oxidation, which may contribute to the prevention of cataracts and age-related blindness. The study reveals that oxidized alpha-A-crystallin can transfer disulfide bridges to other proteins, influencing their redox state.
Researchers created a green living material that demonstrates similar strength to cement-based mortar by combining sand, bacteria, and hydrogel. The material reproduces and can be controlled to maintain structural function and microbial survivability.
Researchers have identified the location of structural proteins in a pig ovary, paving the way for 3D printing an artificial ovary that can support eggs and hormone-producing cells. The technology has huge potential for girls who undergo fertility-damaging cancer treatments.
Researchers at McGill University have made significant strides in understanding the functioning of enzymes that produce antibiotics and therapeutics. The study found a surprising level of flexibility in the assembly line of nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), which could lead to new therapeutic design possibilities.
The study reveals the detailed 3D structure of the CysLT1 receptor, which plays a crucial role in inflammatory processes and allergic diseases like asthma. The researchers used advanced X-ray sources to determine the receptor's mechanism of operation, providing insights into improving asthma medications.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have uncovered a chromosome-wide mechanism that maintains balance in sex chromosomes' gene expression. The study found that genes on the X chromosome produce waves of gene products at a faster tempo, driven by special DNA elements called enhancers.
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.
The study reveals the largest real-time structural changes in a molecule ever, showing how bacteriorhodopsin pumps protons from inside to outside through the cell membrane. This process creates a concentration gradient that the cell uses to gain energy for its metabolism.
Researchers at the University of Portsmouth used synchrotron X-ray computed tomography to examine the performance of four different bone-biomaterial systems. They found that strain can be used to understand and potentially predict clinical outcomes of biomaterials in a living body.
A team of scientists at Arizona State University has determined the structure of a massive photosynthetic supercomplex, uncovering crucial details about its functionality. The complex, composed of over 700 molecules, is unique in size and complexity, with 591 chlorophylls bound within.
Abnormal necroptosis function contributes to cancer cell survival and multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease. Controlling necroptosis may lead to new treatments for these diseases.
A team of scientists measured the puncture performance of viper fangs using a custom-built machine. The study found that the angle of the fang's tip contributes most to its sharpness, with narrower tips performing better than wider ones.
Researchers develop a new method to create detailed structural models of proteins using force-driven simulations, reducing computational power requirements. The technique, inspired by metallurgy, allows for faster computation and more accurate results than existing approaches.
The study analyzed 26 widely-used protein disorder prediction methods and found that they vary noticeably in performance. This thorough comparison provides valuable insights for protein scientists to make informed choices about which programs to use.
Researchers from Kanazawa University have discovered a novel system where a liquid-solid transition is driven by guest vapor, exhibiting selectivity for alkane vapors. This unique property enables the development of new vapor detection systems and adhesion materials.
The Ryerson-led research team developed a technique called F-Mode, which enables selective enhancement of features in biological structures based on size. This breakthrough has significant potential in ophthalmology, neurosurgery, and disease detection.
This year's awards recognize Professor Minoru Kanehisa for his work on the KEGG database, Professor Anthony Kossiakoff for his technological achievements in protein structure and function, Professor Hao Wu for her groundbreaking signal transduction research, Professor Shahriar Mobashery for his discovery of new antibiotics, and Profess...
Scientists from two French teams have identified 79 new 'sugar cleavers' enzymes using bioinformatics methods, expanding the known families to over 200. These enzymes can serve as tools in domains like bioenergy, cosmetics, and nutrition.
A team of researchers from TUM used computational screening and data mining to analyze 64,000 organic compounds, identifying key structural frameworks and functional groups that facilitate favorable charge transport. The study reveals the importance of molecular design in creating efficient electronic components.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a theoretical framework that describes how pollen patterns form through phase separation. This discovery provides new insights into the intricate structures found in nature and could lead to the development of innovative materials.
Researchers at the University of Geneva have developed a new technique called Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy (U-ExM), which allows for the visualization of cellular structures and protein complexes at a nanoscale. This method enables the detection of biochemical modifications and mapping of large intracellular molecular complexes.
Researchers have gained a better understanding of how cells regulate hydrogen peroxide, an intracellular messenger linked to several diseases. This discovery may enable the development of more sensitive and specific fluorescent biosensors to visualize endogenous H2O2 in real-time.
Researchers discovered a self-protection mechanism in failing heart cells that triggers the regulation of genes promoting heart failure. The study reveals that one fragment of the protein junctophilin-2 protects against damage by traveling to the cell nuclei.
Researchers designed proteins that snap together spontaneously to form long, helical structures, mimicking natural protein filaments. The creation of these self-assembling filaments could lead to the development of new materials, including fibers stronger than spider silk and nano-scale wire circuitry.
Researchers at Siberian Federal University have created a new class of two-dimensional materials called circulenes, which exhibit high stability, symmetry, and optical properties. These materials show promise for nanoelectronics applications, including solar cells and organic LEDs, with advantages over traditional materials like silicon.
A standardized protocol for FRET has been established, enabling precise measurement of distances within biomolecules. This breakthrough methodology can overcome size and stability limitations of other structural biology methods, leading to targeted drug development and new research opportunities.
A study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology reveals that the Arp8 module of the INO80 complex serves as a linker DNA sensor driving chromatin remodelling. This process enables gene expression adaptations by stimulating nucleosome repositioning, which has implications for cancer therapy.
Jianhan Chen is studying intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) with flexible 3D structural properties, which account for about one-third of all eukaryotic proteins. His project aims to develop computational methods to simulate flexible proteins and explore the fundamental principles of their structural disorder's effect on function.
A research team has used an integrated structural biological approach to elucidate the maturation of a cancer-causing microRNA in gene regulation. Understanding this process may help develop new therapies for cancer treatment.
Researchers have created the highest-resolution image yet of the Zika virus, providing a detailed atomic model that enables efficient vaccine and antiviral compound design. The discovery was made possible by the stability of the Zika virus compared to its flavivirus cousins.
The new Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM will provide state-of-the-art technology and training to researchers nationwide. The facility will enable scientists to see molecules in breathtaking detail, with resolution near atomic levels, revolutionizing the understanding of disease at the molecular level.
Recent discoveries on proteoglycan roles in bone and tooth development have been made, challenging previously held views of their structural function. The symposium aims to provide an update on these findings, which have significant implications for mineralized tissue biology and craniofacial development.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered a new cofactor, NUFIP2, that works with Roquin to regulate the immune response. This cooperative regulation helps limit immune responses to specific reactions and prevents inflammatory reactions.
Scientists from Waseda University and others have successfully visualized the structure of heterochromatin using cryo-electron microscopy. The study sheds light on how heterochromatin regulates genes and its connection to various diseases, including cancer and virus infections.
Researchers developed a new approach to identify protein structure from sole sequence information by analyzing paired mutations across thousands of protein family members. This method identified sequence covariations that uncover the protein's macrostructure and its fundamental structural and functional units.
A study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology reveals the mechanism by which PHF1 increases PRC2 activity, allowing for efficient gene regulation across different species. The findings suggest that stable PRC2 chromatin interactions mediated by PHF1 are key to increased lysine trimethylation and gene repression.
The NIH has awarded a $6.5 million grant to Berkeley Lab to integrate existing synchrotron structural biology resources, establishing the ALS-ENABLE center to guide researchers in determining biological structures. The initiative will provide rapid response crystallography, high-quality small-angle X-ray scattering, and specialized cry...
The OU research group, led by Ann West, has received a five-year, $10.5 million NIH COBRE grant to support structural biology research and build on Phase I successes with 57 research publications and over $7 million in new grants awarded.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a mechanism used by bacteria Amoebophilus to shoot micro-daggers that pierce the digestive compartment of an amoeba, allowing it to escape digestion and thrive. The study reveals new insights into bacterial evolution and opens up possibilities for other structural biology investigations.
The University of Oklahoma offers an NSF Undergraduate Research Program in Structural Biology, providing students with a nine-week research experience. The program helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through presentations and poster sessions.
Scientists have gained insight into the NS5 protein of Zika virus, a crucial enzyme involved in viral replication. The study reveals its structure and function, as well as comparisons with other related viruses, which will aid in the search for compounds to halt virus reproduction.
A team of researchers has elucidated the molecular architecture of the nuclear lamina in mammalian cells using cryo-electron tomography. The study reveals a 14nm-thick layer with threadlike structures called lamin filaments, which assemble into polymers consisting of type A and B lamin proteins.
Researchers design a pod-like casing with liquid-crystal elastomers and molecular switches, demonstrating the ability to produce powerful movement at the molecular level. The device uses light-triggered re-arrangement of molecular switches to drive twisting helices in opposing directions, resulting in the bursting of the casing.
An international team has made a breakthrough by trapping an intermediate in the mechanism of heme peroxidase enzymes and determining its structure using neutron beams. This finding could change our understanding of how these enzymes work, shedding new light on their role in biochemical processes.
A public database of macromolecular diffraction experiments has been developed to archive raw data and metadata from X-ray crystallographic studies. The resource contains 3070 experiments with partially curated metadata, aiming to improve protein structure-determination methods and ensure the availability of orphan data.
Researchers discovered that Kinesin-14 protein helps cells bundle growing microtubules into organized structures by guiding their growth in parallel. This mechanism is conserved throughout evolution and found in various animal cells, including humans and flies.
Researchers have gained structural insights on a key protein from Aedes aegypti, the mosquito species most often linked to Zika. The study suggests compounds targeting this protein could kill mosquitoes and reduce cases of Zika and other illnesses.
The study provides a roadmap for targeting ZIP4, which is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and plays a critical role in zinc transport, offering new hope for treating diseases like acrodermitis enteropathica and pancreatic cancer.