Articles tagged with Cell Membranes
Researchers at Georgia Tech and Oak Ridge National Laboratory use neutron beams to illuminate presenilin, an intramembrane protease that chops protein building blocks. The study reveals a simpler protein structure than expected, with two chemical knives for cutting peptides.
Scientists use super-resolution microscopy to reveal the fine detail of red blood cells' cellular mesh underlying the cell membrane. They discover that the mesh is a triangular structure composed of proteins, allowing for flexibility and elasticity in squeezing through narrow capillaries.
Recent papers by Keck Graduate Institute professors James Sterling and Shenda Baker describe the interaction between ions and glycans on mucosal surfaces. The research highlights how different ion types affect the structure, electrical potential, and fluid behavior of airway-surface layers in the lung.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg have identified a specific position on TatC that can be chemically altered by DCCD, inhibiting contact with the Tat substrate. This finding reveals the mechanism of how TatC and TatB components assemble into an active transporter, creating a cavity for protein insertion.
Researchers have demonstrated that cells navigate using molecular force from within, enabling them to turn and potentially leading to the development of new drugs. This discovery was made possible by the study of integrins, which are essential for cell interactions.
A recent study by KAUST researchers reveals that CD34, a protein used to identify blood-forming cells, also binds adhesion molecules in the bone marrow. This binding aids in proper engraftment of blood-forming stem and progenitor cells following transplantation.
Researchers used AI-powered image analysis to help diagnose GPI anchor deficiencies, a group of rare diseases affecting mental retardation and distinctive facial features. The study suggests that computer-aided evaluation of patient portraits can facilitate improved diagnosis and potentially be applied to other diseases.
A new study reveals that biological membranes display dynamic properties and exhibit unexpected undulations when embedded in polymer networks. The authors propose a theory elucidating the dynamics of such membranes and identify a new intermediate wavelength regime of membrane undulations.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have synthesised four variants of THC that can be altered with light, offering a potential tool for controlling and influencing CB1 receptors. These light-sensitive THC derivatives were tested in living cell cultures and found to activate and deactivate the receptors using specific wavelengths of light.
Researchers developed macrophage nanosponges that can safely absorb and remove endotoxins and pro-inflammatory cytokines from the bloodstream. These nanosponges improved survival rates in mice with sepsis by preventing systemic inflammation and reducing bacterial counts.
Biomedical engineers have discovered a way to enhance the effectiveness and safety of sonogenetics, emerging techniques that use sound waves to control neuron behavior. By attaching microscopic beads to receptors on cell surfaces, they can produce cell-stretching effects with much less risk of cellular injury.
Astronomers have imaged the surface of a red giant star, π1 Gruis, in unprecedented detail. The star's photosphere features just a few convective cells, or granules, which are much larger than those on our Sun.
New research reveals how accumulation of chemically modified lipids interferes with the function of a protein involved in antitumor immune responses and effective cancer immunotherapy. The findings point to new strategies for improving the response to immunotherapy.
The study reveals how toxic oligomers disrupt brain cell membranes, creating defects that lead to neuronal death. Understanding this process offers an opportunity to develop new treatments for Parkinson's Disease.
Scientists from the University of Surrey developed non-metal electro-catalysts for fuel cells using Halloysite clay, urea, and furfural, achieving a power density performance of 703 mW cm-2.
Researchers found that omega-3 polyunsaturated fats in fish oil push stem cells towards forming bone cells, rather than fat cells. This fundamental research may provide insight into the connections between dietary fats and various clinical outcomes.
Researchers at Columbia University developed a new microscopy technique to track fatty acids in living cells, revealing that saturated fats cause hardened membrane patches that can lead to cellular damage. In contrast, unsaturated fats can 'melt' these patches, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for lipid disorders.
An international team determined the 3-D structure of channelrhodopsin 2, a membrane protein used in optogenetics to control nerve cells. The study reveals how light manipulation can mimic nerve impulses, enabling fast and harmless cell activation.
Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University discovered a new method of destroying cancer cells through a process called entosis, where one cell invades and digests another. The study reveals the five stages of entosis, which involves changes in structural and functional characteristics of both cells.
Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a new tool for biomedical research that uses graphene oxide to create surfaces suitable for immobilizing living cells. This technology will allow for the creation of flexible diagnostic devices implanted under the skin, and can help in the development of biosensors.
Scientists from ITMO University devised a novel way to address issues with solar cells, including reduced light reflection and overheating. By incorporating glass microparticles into the top electrode, they improved solar cell efficiency by 20%, making it more attractive for industrial applications.
Researchers at MIT found that two cholesterol molecules bind to a flu protein called M2, creating a wedge shape in the cell membrane that severs the viral buds. This discovery sheds light on how many other proteins interact with membrane cholesterol.
A recent study at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source used X-ray-based imaging to investigate the effects of temperature and moisture on fuel-cell performance. The research found that even slight saturation produces nearly double thermal conductivity, while water evaporation increases dramatically at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Scientists have successfully created tiny protein-based gelatin-like clumps called hydrogels inside living cells using a novel technique. This breakthrough advances research into the suspected contributions of hydrogels to human diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have developed a new super-resolution optical microscopy technique that makes dimerization of membrane receptors visible. The study reveals ligand-specific receptor dimerization and improves our understanding of the decision between cell life or death.
A recent study published in Cell Reports found that the protein iRhom2 regulates the release of important molecules triggering the inflammatory response. This mechanism is also crucial for controlling growth factors associated with certain cancers.
Researchers from the University of Freiburg successfully identified the molecular composition of calcium-ATPases, crucial for controlling various Ca2+-dependent processes in cells. The discovery highlights the essential role of novel subunits Neuroplastin and Basigin in regulating Ca2+ clearance.
Researchers developed a new technique to grow artificial corneas with improved transparency and strength by controlling the alignment of cells in a dish. This breakthrough could provide a solution for the shortage of donated corneal tissues and offer a practical alternative to plastic corneas.
Researchers used single-molecule microscopy to study receptor-G protein interactions, finding specialized sites called hot spots where they meet and interact. These hot spots play a crucial role in regulating intracellular processes and may enable more precise therapeutic approaches.
Researchers have discovered a new protein, NsXeR, that can activate individual neurons and control muscle contractions with high precision. This breakthrough optogenetic tool bypasses uncontrolled calcium translocation, reducing potential side effects.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reveals that extracellular vesicles (EVs) can carry receptors for intercellular communication, allowing signaling without direct cell-to-cell contact. This capability makes EVs uniquely suited to be engineered to send therapeutics directly to affected areas.
Rutgers scientists found that eliminating an enzyme can increase risk of cancer and inflammation, while fine-tuning its activity could prevent obesity and related diseases. A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining the enzyme's balance.
Scientists at Kazan Federal University have developed a new tool for cell-free therapy using artificial membrane vesicles, which retain biological properties of donor cells. The study demonstrates that these vesicles can stimulate angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.
Bacterial membrane vesicles are nanoscale spheres formed by bacteria, potentially used in cancer treatment and nanotechnology. Researchers visualized their formation using live cell imaging and electron cryotomography, revealing that endolysin enzymes play a crucial role in their production.
The University of Delaware team developed a new technology that can make fuel cells cheaper and more durable. They created a catalyst of tungsten carbide nanoparticles, which improves water management and reduces the burden on the humidification system in fuel cells.
Researchers have developed motorized molecules that can target and destroy specific cells using ultraviolet light. The nanomachines can be designed to deliver drugs or disrupt cell membranes, showing promise for treating diseases like breast tumors and melanomas.
A robotic system has been developed to automate the patch clamping technique, allowing for precise targeting of specific neurons. This technology can shed light on normal neuron function and how it goes awry in diseases like Alzheimer's or schizophrenia.
Researchers found that osteocytes, tiny bone cells with delicate membranes, experience membrane tears in response to mechanical loading. This tear triggers an increase in calcium levels, leading to bone remodeling and strengthening. The discovery sheds light on how bones adapt to gravity and physical activity.
A recent study published in the Journal of Virology has pinpointed how a tiny protein speeds up Ebola's contagiousness. The researchers identified that the delta peptide weakens protective membranes in gastrointestinal cells, allowing viruses to enter and wreak havoc.
A study led by Dr. Susana Minguet identified the protein Caveolin-1 as a key regulator of B cell organization and signaling. The team found that Caveolin-1 deficiency leads to autoimmune disease in animal models, highlighting a new strategy for treating autoimmunity.
Scientists have discovered a specific type of immune regulatory cell, T follicular regulatory cells (Tfr), in patients with Sjögren syndrome, an autoimmune disease. Blood Tfr cells are immature and unable to suppress antibody production, but their levels increase in response to flu vaccine exposure.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method that combines design and nanomanufacturing to create optimal nanostructured surfaces for solar cells. The technique uses mathematical functions and machine learning to fabricate quasi-random structures, resulting in increased light absorption and improved efficiency.
NASA scientists have definitively detected acrylonitrile, a chemical thought to form stable structures similar to cell membranes, in Titan's atmosphere. This finding suggests the possibility of membrane-like structures forming on Titan, which could be an important step towards life discovery.
The study used a specialized surface with hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions to measure the adhesive force of bacterial cells. The researchers found that the diameter of the contact area was typically tens to hundreds of nanometers, but had no effect on adhesion strength.
Researchers have developed two types of solar cells with different photosensitizers, achieving higher efficiency and stability. The study used novel instrumentation to investigate environmental effects on photocurrent generated by solar cells.
Petunias use volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to attract pollinators and defend against herbivores and pathogens. A newly identified protein helps transport these compounds across cell membranes.
A new study published in Current Biology found that bacterial cells are limited by their ability to produce fat, which affects their growth and size. The research, conducted at Washington University in St. Louis, used a novel approach to understand the role of biosynthesis in cell-size regulation.
Researchers identified 'clathrin-coated pits' as a new mechanism involved in cancer cell migration. These structures allow cancer cells to attach to surrounding collagen fibers and move around.
Erhu Cao, a University of Utah biochemist, has been named a Pew Scholar to explore the dynamic interactions within cell membranes. His research focuses on ADPKD, a genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 people, and may lead to new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at Université de Genève have developed a new test to detect anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), an autoimmune disease affecting around 0.5% of the population. The test targets the specific antibody that binds to cells, producing pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic factors, offering improved accuracy and standardization.
Biophysicists visualized type IV pili (T4P) dynamics using optical microscopy, revealing asymmetric distribution triggered by blue light. T4P extension activated at the forward side of cells illuminated laterally with blue light, driving forward motion and navigation.
Researchers at UNIGE have discovered the essential role of Vps4 molecule in cell division, shedding light on the fight against cancer and HIV. The study reveals that Vps4 is necessary for abscission, a stage where cell membranes are severed, and its absence inhibits cell division and delays it significantly.
Scientists at IBS create nanostructures that function as channels for iodide transport in cell membranes, offering a new approach to diagnose and treat iodide transport disorders. The newly developed synthetic ion channels, called porphyrin boxes 1A (PB-1A), selectively allow the passage of negatively-charged ions, such as iodides.
A computational model of the soybean plasma membrane reveals that similar lipids cluster together due to van der Waals interactions. The research has applications for studying membrane proteins and understanding plant responses to stressful conditions.
A team of scientists has discovered a remarkable mechanism that enables cells to repair severely damaged chromosomes, preventing cell death and cancer. The 'Hail Mary' mechanism involves the creation of a DNA tether to keep the broken fragment connected to the chromosome.
Researchers at Osaka University developed artificial fluorescent membrane lipids that mimic sphingomyelin and interact with proteins, enabling the study of complex cellular processes. The findings reveal dynamic behavior of SMs associated with CD59 and plasma membranes, offering insights into modifying molecular interactions.
Researchers from Oliver Daumke's group have uncovered the role of protein Mic60 in forming intricate folds in mitochondrial membranes. The discovery sheds light on how defects in membrane structure contribute to diseases like cancer and neurological conditions.
A Dutch scientist has designed a nanomotor that can deliver and release drugs for cells, triggered by glutathione, a chemical signal inside cells. The nanomotor uses hydrogen peroxide to propel itself across the cellular membrane and releases its cargo upon encountering higher concentrations of glutathione.
Researchers use a redesigned spider venom peptide to deliver biomacromolecules like antibodies into cells, enabling tracking and interaction with target proteins. The technology improves understanding of protein behavior and could lead to new treatments and drug delivery.
Researchers have proposed a universal mechanism for the 'sense of smell' in bacteria, involving two-component systems and molecular machines. The study revealed how proteins transmit signals through cell membranes, potentially leading to new antibiotics and treatments for biofilms.