Articles tagged with Transporter Proteins
Researchers have discovered that phospholipids, a crucial component of cell membranes, directly influence the folding of membrane proteins. The absence of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) led to misfolding and reduced protein activity in E. coli bacteria.
Researchers challenge traditional model of mRNA translation with discovery of EF-G's binding to GDP and its role as a GTP exchange factor. The ribosome plays a dual role in guanine-nucleotide exchange and GTPase-activation, leading to partial translocation of the mRNA.
Scientists observed a breakdown in neuronal transport, leading to abnormal protein buildup and neuron failure. The study suggests that impaired axonal transport may be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers identified HIP14 as a key enzyme in palmitoylation, a process essential for normal nervous system function. The discovery sheds light on mechanisms underlying diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington Disease.
A study at Duke University Medical Center discovered the cln3 protein transports a vital lipid that is essential for normal cell function. The breakdown of this system leads to uncontrolled apoptosis in Batten disease, but the protein also plays a role in cancer, Alzheimer's, and AIDS.
Awards honor Alt's groundbreaking discoveries on genomic instability, leading to new directions in cancer prevention. His work has sparked extensive additional research and transformed our understanding of oncogene amplification and translocation.
Researchers at McGill University have identified 209 proteins involved in the cellular uptake process, shedding light on protein interactions and disease mechanisms. The study provides a comprehensive molecular inventory of clathrin-coated vesicles, with broad implications for various fields in biology and medicine.
A research team led by OHSU scientists is studying metal homeostasis and its disruption in human cells, focusing on copper and iron concentrations. The project aims to understand the regulation of metals in cells and their impact on disease progression.
A protein called huntingtin is critical for normal neuronal transportation, but a defective version causes physical blockage and binding interference, leading to neuronal damage. The study supports the hypothesis that blockage of neuronal transportation contributes to neurodegenerative diseases.
A research team led by H. Ronald Kaback solved the three-dimensional structure of the bacterial membrane transport protein lacose permease (LacY), shedding light on its mechanism and function. The resulting structure revealed intricate interactions between amino acids, sugars, and protons, providing crucial insights into membrane trans...
Researchers found that mice with a mutation in the fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4) gene lack wrinkles and normal hair growth. The study suggests that FATP4 plays a critical role in skin development, potentially leading to new treatments for obesity and other conditions.
Researchers have solved the structure of the pre-budding complex, a set of proteins that plays a key role in forming vesicles on the cell's endoplasmic reticulum. The study reveals how the complex assembles on the ER membrane and initiates the process of membrane cargo capture and vesicle budding.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics have determined the first structure of the SecYEG protein translocation machinery from Escherichia coli. The structure provides a detailed view of the complex, which binds and transports secretory and membrane proteins.
A Harvard chemist has developed molecular mimics that rival the complexity of nature using innovative cell screening techniques. The approach involves attaching a natural protein to a fluorescent tag and then screening molecules for their ability to perturb cellular processes.
Researchers have identified amyloid precursor protein (APP) as a key player in the molecular transportation system of the brain. The protein's cellular trafficking function is linked to the formation of harmful plaque deposits called amyloid beta, which are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.
The AAPS PharmSci theme issue delves into the current status of personalized medicine and its promises and limitations. The issue explores new technologies, genetic testing, and individualized approaches to drug therapy.
Researchers identified LRP-1 as a key molecule in removing beta amyloid protein from the brain through blood circulation. In healthy mice, blood vessels efficiently clear amyloid peptide, whereas impaired LRP-1 function can lead to plaque accumulation and neurodegeneration.
Scientists create first bi-directional molecular motor by changing a single amino acid, disrupting the sense of direction in another. The discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding diseases caused by incorrect chromosome distribution during cell division.
Researchers have identified the protein that transports glutamate, a key player in brain function, offering a potential new target for treating diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The discovery could lead to therapies that either reduce or increase glutamate release, depending on the specific condition.
Researchers discovered that gatekeeper protein YidC allows essential proteins to enter bacterial membranes, while its absence leads to bacterial death. This finding suggests a new pathway for protein translocation and implies a common ancestor among bacteria, chloroplasts, and mitochondria.
Charlottesville chemist Donald F. Hunt has developed a technique to identify fragments of proteins that stimulate the immune system to attack and kill melanoma, or skin cancer. His method uses mass spectrometry to analyze amino acid chains and could lead to the development of cancer vaccines.
Researchers have captured the first pictures of neurofilaments moving along nerve fibers using time-lapse photography, providing a rare glimpse into slow axonal transport. The study suggests that neurofilaments move quickly but infrequently, and may hold clues to understanding nerve malfunction in diseases like Lou Gehrig's.
A University of Hawaii research team has discovered a new class of myoglobin-like proteins in ancient microorganisms, which may be the evolutionary ancestors of proteins involved in oxygen sensing and transport. These proteins help sense oxygen, allowing the organism to find a more favorable oxygen environment.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a new class of mitosis inhibitors, including the molecule monastrol, which disrupts the mitotic spindle apparatus and arrests cell division. This discovery offers a promising lead for developing more specific and effective chemotherapies.
Researchers have discovered that myosin VI moves backwards on actin filaments, toward the minus end, challenging current understanding of protein movement. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of cellular assembly and maintenance, particularly in structures with single-orientation actin filaments.
Scientists at Millennium and the Whitehead Institute discovered a novel protein FATP4 that plays a role in transporting fatty acid molecules from the intestine into the body. Inhibiting its function may provide new approaches to treating obesity.
Scientists have developed a method to deliver large proteins into cells using a molecular passport. The technology allows for lower doses and fewer side effects, making it a promising avenue for therapeutic approaches. This breakthrough could enable the creation of drugs that act only in disease-related cells.
Researchers uncover crucial role of copper chaperone in delivering copper to superoxide dismutase enzyme, a key player in treating Lou Gehrig's disease. The study reveals the structure of the yeast copper chaperone protein, which helps protect copper from unwanted cellular interactions.
The StAR protein plays a key role in the steroid-making system by partially unfolding to form a 'molten globule' conformation that enables it to work inside cells. This flexible state lowers energy required for channel opening in mitochondrial membrane, acting as an on/off switch for cholesterol transport.
Clathrin-coated vesicles are responsible for transporting proteins from the outside of the cell inside. The new insights into their formation help build a picture of the overall process and suggest possible targets for future therapeutic intervention.
Scientists discovered that p-glycoprotein and a similar protein collaborate to limit drug traffic through the brain. This finding could lead to improved treatment of diseases like AIDS, depression, cancer, and more.
The nuclear pore complex is a highly regulated structure composed of around 50-100 different proteins that control the transport of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Ran protein plays a crucial role in this process, binding selectively to transport factors to regulate cargo molecules across the nuclear pore.
Researchers created a protein-like model that unfolded and refolded itself to reveal common features among folding pathways. The study provides new clues to understanding how proteins achieve their stable structures quickly and reliably.
A team of scientists has created a detailed model of the structure of a protein in photosynthetic bacteria, which can help explain how certain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Mad Cow Disease occur. The model shows how nature uses irregular forms to create complex structures that are effective at absorbing sunlight.
A previously unknown movement protein carries information-bearing RNA from stems and leaves to distant roots and flowers, enabling complex plant communication. This discovery provides insight into the evolutionary processes underlying complex plants and may lead to better defenses against crop diseases.
Researchers have found a protein in the small intestine that directly facilitates uptake of dietary lipids, making it a promising target for drugs to combat obesity and heart disease. The discovery has the potential to significantly reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and may help treat conditions such as artherosclerosis.
Scientists at the University of Georgia have described the shape of two important yeast proteins that facilitate protein transport in eukaryotic cells. The proteins, v-SNARE and t-SNARE, were found to be highly alpha helical, revealing a previously unknown structure that may explain how they work.
Researchers Mark Young and Trevor Douglas have created a 'molecular cooking pot' using the protein case of a virus, enabling precise delivery of drugs to specific cellular addresses. The discovery has far-reaching implications for medicine, including breast cancer treatment.
Researchers have utilized viruses as tools for material science and drug delivery, using their protein coats to admit and expel organic and inorganic material. The potential implications include creating unlimited numbers of homogeneously sized crystals for semiconductor production and targeted cancer therapies.
UCSF researchers have identified a protein essential for forming concentrated urine in mice, which has potential implications for treating fluid retention diseases such as congestive heart failure and cirrhosis. The study shows that inhibiting the water channel with drugs could effectively treat these conditions.
Hultgren's research focuses on understanding how bacteria attach to human tissue, a key event in disease onset. He has made significant breakthroughs in developing vaccines against urinary tract infections.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory create first 3-dimensional atomic model of tubulin, a protein essential for cell division and material transport. The model reveals the structure of tubulin's three functional components and its interaction with anti-cancer drug taxol.
Researchers discover two related versions of the LOV domain in a plasma membrane protein, which shares significant similarity with domains from various organisms. The LOV domain may play a crucial role in regulating the phototropic response and other cellular processes.
Researchers have discovered a novel protein, Vera, that plays a crucial role in RNA localization in oocytes. This process is essential for the development of embryogenesis and has broad implications for biology, as it occurs in many adult cell types.
Scientists have found that the fragile X protein is produced in synapse junctions, essential for normal brain development. The discovery reveals a new understanding of the disorder's mechanisms, which may lead to better treatments and therapies.
The study provides evidence that FMRP is transported into the cell's nucleus where it forms a complex with particular mRNAs and then is transported out of the nucleus to join ribosomes in the neuronal cytoplasm. The researchers discovered that free ribosomes, found in dendrites and dendritic spines, associate with FMRP.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have visualized the first image of a membrane-spanning molecule thought to transport proteins across cell membranes. The study reveals a dynamic structure that appears and disappears on demand, with the channel opening in two dimensions for different protein types.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have made a surprising discovery about the movement of proteins within the Golgi apparatus. The enzymes, which are crucial for various cellular processes, were found to be mysteriously retained in the organelle despite their rapid movement, contradicting long-held assumptions about their function.
Scientists have long known that proteins like colicin Ia can punch holes in cell membranes to kill bacteria. Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine mapped the structure of colicin Ia, revealing a massive chunk of protein must cross the membrane to form an open channel.