Articles tagged with Cell Membranes
Researchers at PSI have produced the most detailed image to date of a type of membrane protein involved in signal transmission. They discovered that this protein inhibits itself, preventing overproduction of cAMP, an important secondary messenger in cell signaling.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology identify molecular mechanism behind Bombinin H2 and H4 peptides' antimicrobial properties. The peptides inhibit microbial activity by creating holes in cell membranes, ultimately killing microorganisms.
Scientists created smart glues from human stem cells that can repair chronic wounds, protecting the cells from aggressive environments. The new technology uses natural enzymes to grow artificial extracellular matrices, paving the way for tissue engineering advancements.
A research group has identified the gene responsible for the formation of nanopores in fruit flies, allowing them to detect chemicals in the air. The gore-tex gene plays a crucial role in envelope curvature and odor receptivity, essential functions for insects.
An international team of researchers discovered a pair of residues acting as a gate in the archaeal Na+/H+ antiporter PaNhaP. The gate's mutation speeds up the transporter twice as much as the wild type, suggesting a balance between fidelity and efficiency.
The US Department of Energy has awarded 86 grants totaling $95 million to small businesses in 21 states. These Phase II research and development grants will support scientific innovation and create jobs. The selected projects include advanced materials, energy storage, and IoT applications.
A collaboration of researchers from ICIQ and ICMAB-CSIC investigated the impact of changing Hole Transport Materials in perovskite solar cells. They found that the surfaces and interfaces created in the solar cell stack have a crucial role in functional device performances.
The University of Delaware team created poly(aryl piperidinium) polymers for hydroxide exchange membranes, achieving record power density and stability. This breakthrough enables the development of more efficient and cost-effective fuel cells for eco-friendly vehicles.
A study published in Nature identified a new approach to starve pancreatic cancer cells of molecular resources. The researchers found that the protein syndecan-1 plays a critical role in regulating macropinocytosis, a mechanism used by cancer cells to scavenge resources and divide.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new membrane class that can regenerate gum tissue and bone, offering a viable solution for periodontitis. The membranes have tissue and bone regeneration properties along with a flexible coating that adheres to biological surfaces.
Researchers from NUST MISIS created a nanomaterial that enhances the rate of bone cell division by 3 times, enabling the growth of new bone tissue. This breakthrough could potentially abandon bone marrow transplantation, offering hope to patients with osteoporosis and osteomyelitis.
Engineered living materials use living cells as scaffolds to create composite materials with unprecedented control and versatility. The team engineered a bacterium to attach nanomaterials to its cell surface, creating stable hybrid living materials with emergent properties.
Researchers discovered that cytochrome c binds to specific membrane domains and regulates the oxidation of cardiolipin, a key player in apoptosis. This finding could lead to new drug targets for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's disease.
A study published in Nature Plants has revealed structural networks of tubules at the plant-fungal interface that facilitate lipid transfer between organisms, potentially shedding light on mechanisms of symbiotic relationships and their role in reducing fertilizer usage.
Researchers found that lipids can self-assemble into vesicles on a surface without external input, forming compartments enclosed by lipid membranes. This process is plausible and could have occurred on early Earth, where fatty molecules were abundant.
A high-fat diet causes thickening of arteries at the cellular level, according to researchers. The study found that even small amounts of oxidized LDL can dramatically change the structure of the cell membrane, leading to increased tension and stiffness.
Scientists have found that sugar molecules serve as channels for cellular communication, allowing cells to interact with proteins and other cells. This discovery was made using atomic force microscopy and provides new insights into the role of cell membranes in function.
A Vanderbilt University team developed an atlas of lipid structures using ion mobility-mass spectrometry, narrowing the possibilities for identifying lipids. The atlas holds key to early diagnosis of many disorders by mapping out lipid shapes.
Researchers discover a critical failsafe mechanism involving cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) that prevents excess force from disrupting cell division. The 'goldilocks zone' of tension ensures chromosomes are aligned and distributed evenly, allowing cells to divide into identical daughter cells.
According to a study of expert assessments, the current cost of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is unlikely to meet US Department of Energy targets by 2020. Experts identify catalytic metals as a significant barrier to cost reduction, highlighting the need for research and development in catalysts and electrodes.
Researchers engineered T cell receptors that can specifically stick to cells infected with cytomegalovirus, offering a new potential treatment option. These receptors could aid in developing CMV vaccines and target brain tumors.
A team of ETH Zurich researchers used single-molecule force spectroscopy to investigate how membrane proteins become embedded in cell membranes. They discovered the role of two helper proteins, insertase and translocase, which enable membrane proteins to embed themselves in the membrane. The study sheds light on the folding pathways of...
Researchers at Hollings Cancer Center have discovered a new sub-cellular complex called ceramidosomes, which form in the cell membrane and induce cancer cell death. The complexes are made up of lipid molecules called ceramide and two protein components, and their formation is integral to drug-induced cancer cell death.
Researchers discovered rhomboid enzymes can move quickly through cell membrane by warping surroundings, allowing them to glide rapidly across. This ability enables them to scour the membrane for targets to cut, providing real-time signals to other cells.
Researchers created membraneless protocells that facilitate chemical reactions, providing insights into the prebiotic 'RNA world'. These assemblies concentrate RNA molecules and enzymes, allowing them to participate in fundamental chemical reactions.
Researchers discovered that most tunneling nanotubes are composed of multiple smaller tubes and have thin wires connecting them, allowing for organelle transport. This discovery challenges the dogma of cells as individual units, showing they can exchange materials without a membrane barrier.
A new mathematical model describes how ion adsorption affects biological membranes' electrical properties at different pH levels. The model reveals that calcium ions have a greater ability to adsorb than barium ions, with hydroxide-containing ions being more readily absorbed.
Researchers at MU developed a theoretical model showing multiple pathways for proteins to break free from cell membranes. The discovery provides insight into signaling pathways and cellular functions, paving the way for future studies on protein-membrane interactions.
Monash researchers found that autophagy receptors are not the main trigger for cellular cleanup, but rather the membranes themselves recruit more receptors to speed up the process. This discovery may lead to new treatments targeting protein build-up linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at TUM created artificial cell assemblies that can communicate and trigger complex reactions like RNA production, mimicking biological organisms. The system achieves spatial differentiation and is a step towards tissue-like synthetic materials.
Researchers challenged conventional two-dimensional models of cell surface organization, revealing three-dimensional effects on diffusion and molecular movement. This study has significant implications for understanding cell signaling, cell-to-cell contacts, and cell migration.
Researchers studied dengue virus fusion peptide structures, revealing a hydrophobic region and polar 'collar' crucial for cell membrane fusion. This review aims to expand knowledge on the mechanism of virus infection, potentially leading to new inhibition methods.
Scientists have elucidated the formation mechanism of amyloid-β substances, causative agents of Alzheimer's disease. They found that Aβ peptides tend to aggregate at hydrophilic/hydrophobic interfaces, forming β-hairpin structures that facilitate intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified an important intermediate step in how alcohol intoxication occurs. The enzyme phospholipase D2 links ethanol molecules to lipid membranes, triggering a metabolite called phosphatidylethanol that causes nerves to fire more easily, leading to hyperactivity in flies.
Researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham discover how Avian Sarcoma Virus binds to cell membrane, providing insights into HIV-1 replication and potential treatment strategies. The study reveals a crucial cluster of four lysine amino acids that interact with acidic membrane lipids.
A team of researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University has gained the clearest view yet of a patch of cell membrane and its components, revealing an unexpected hexagonal structure. This discovery opens up new possibilities for pharmaceutical research, particularly in targeting medical drugs that interact with cell membranes.
Researchers discovered that protrusions on cells trigger Ras-ERK activity, a frequently mutated cancer pathway. This finding could lead to new targets for cancer therapeutics and potentially offer alternative approaches to modulating the pathway's activity.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology discover CLIP-170's critical role in T cell activation by relocating the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) to the cell surface. This process is essential for immune response initiation and could lead to improved cancer immunotherapy.
Researchers have identified a new type of T cell called phospholipid-reactive T cells that recognize phospholipids, which can stimulate them or prevent glycolipids from reaching the surface of cells. This balance is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the immune system.
Researchers at Boston University have made significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying HDL formation. They discovered a crucial interaction between apolipoprotein A-I and ABCA1 proteins, which enables the formation of nascent HDL particles.
Researchers from Princeton University developed new light-harnessing systems to probe membraneless organelle formation and its impact on cellular DNA. The discovery sheds light on the role of these organelles in diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and ALS.
E. coli's KdpFABC transport system uses a unique combination of pore and transporter to import potassium ions into the cell, blurring the boundaries between passive transport and active transport complexes. This discovery challenges the long-held dogma that these two systems are mutually exclusive.
Researchers at NIST have conducted simulations suggesting that graphene can be stretched to create a tunable ion filter, increasing ion flow by up to 1,000 percent. This could have applications in nanoscale mechanical sensors, drug delivery, water purification and sieves for ion mixtures.
Researchers have created an in silico inventory of proteins on cell surfaces using machine learning, predicting the presence of over 2,900 proteins on human cell surfaces. The study reveals a wide variety of surface proteins across different cell types, with primary stem cells showing the greatest diversity.
Researchers discovered how Staphylococcus aureus assembles a complex to anchor pores, which are then stabilized and used to destroy host cells. Blocking this complex's formation can prevent toxin pore assembly.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki reveals that pathological tau triggers a safety valve mechanism in cell membranes, leading to accelerated neuronal cell death and loss of synapses. Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to modify the microstructure of cell membranes, capturing tau aggregates within cells.
Researchers at NSLS-II produce 3D images of a single bacterial cell's chemical composition, identifying calcium and zinc distributions. The technique demonstrates high-resolution imaging capabilities for understanding cellular processes and developing medical treatments.
Indiana University researchers observed nanoparticles rotate differently when binding to receptors, indicating varying levels of cellular binding strength. This discovery could lead to more effective drug treatments and improved immunotherapy.
A team of researchers at Osaka University has identified the molecular mechanism that enables cells to move in a specific direction. By analyzing the interaction between PTEN and PIP3 molecules, they found that these molecules mutually suppress each other, preventing cells from forming pseudopodia at different ends.
A team of researchers has fully unveiled the sophisticated mechanism of bacterial toxins, including the Tc toxin complex used by the plague bacterium and other germs. The study reveals a molecular gatekeeper that controls the poison's exit, offering new insights for developing innovative therapies to combat bacterial infections.
University of Missouri researchers have developed a new microscope that allows them to observe individual proteins in an unfrozen sample. This breakthrough enables scientists to predict how cells will behave when new components are introduced, which could lead to the creation of more effective drugs with fewer side effects.
Researchers found that biological nanopores like alpha-hemolysin and aerolysin can detect sugar chains of different lengths depending on their placement in the pore, not just diameter. Electrical charge and inner pore geometry also play a crucial role in these biosensors
Olsen's research aims to understand the role of lipid production in longevity and long-term health, with implications for age-related diseases like Alzheimer's. She hopes to develop new medications or lipid replacement treatments to alleviate disease and promote healthy aging.
New studies reveal extracellular vesicles transport molecular signals, signs of disease, and stress effects onto offspring. These particles may help diagnose neurological disorders with similar symptoms.
Researchers have long believed cell membranes act like a viscous liquid, but a new study suggests they are closer to a semi-solid like Jell-O. The discovery was made by Harvard University scientists who used fluorescent protein and mechanical actuators to measure membrane tension.
Engineers boosted cells' ability to produce unsaturated lipids, leading to increased membrane respiration and growth rate. This knowledge could improve biofuel production and develop new treatments for diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have designed 'smart' surface coatings that can repel harmful elements but permit targeted beneficial exceptions for medical applications. This technology holds promise for safer implants, more accurate diagnostic tests, and reduced false positives and negatives.
Researchers have identified three chemicals that could develop into a new type of anti-cold drug by analyzing changes in cellular fat molecules during the infection process. By studying lipids, the researchers found changes to prevent key virus replication and limited further infection.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a near-infrared laser that can change the size and shape of a block of gel-like material while human or bacterial cells grow on it. This tool holds promise for biomedical researchers seeking to shed light on how to grow replacement tissues and organs.
A recent study published in eLife reveals that bone cells adapt to mechanical forces by releasing energy-rich ATP and repairing damaged membranes. The researchers found that membrane injury causes ATP release, but rapid membrane repair controlled by calcium- and PKC-dependent vesicles limits the total amount of ATP spilled.