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Cellular transport routes

Biologists in Konstanz have identified a crucial step in the labelling and transportation process of proteins in plant cells. The SH3P2 protein plays a key role in binding to ubiquitin molecules, marking them for transport to the vacuole.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 10, 2017

Cell biology: Take the mRNA train

Researchers have characterized the structure of a macromolecular complex involved in mRNA transport, showing how RNAs are recognized and bound by binding proteins in the nucleus. The complex allows for the specific recognition and transport of mRNAs from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJan 17, 2017

'Nanoparticle taxicab' materials can identify, collect and transport debris on surfaces

Researchers at UMass Amherst developed polymer-stabilized droplet carriers that can recognize and encapsulate nanoparticles for transport in a cell. These 'nanoparticle taxicabs' pick up particles on one surface and drop them off on another, representing the first successful translation of biological processes in materials science.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 2, 2016

Elucidating biological cells' transport mechanisms

Researchers have calculated the force of molecular motors acting on organelles in biological cells, finding discrepancies with physical laws due to complex biological processes. The study used non-equilibrium statistical mechanics to analyze the motion of motor proteins in living cells, providing new insights into the transport mechanism.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateDec 20, 2013

Nanorobot for transporting drugs in the body

Scientists at Aarhus University and Duke University have developed a DNA nanorobot that can encapsulate and release active biomolecules, including enzymes. The nanorobot uses temperature changes to open and close its structure, allowing for targeted drug delivery to diseased cells.

SourceAarhus University·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 2, 2013

A link between zinc transport and diabetes

Researchers found that SLC30A8 zinc transporter is crucial for insulin clearance by the liver and signals to stop releasing insulin. The study also discusses the dynamic regulatory role of zinc in insulin regulation.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 24, 2013

Biophysicists unravel cellular 'traffic jams' in active transport

Researchers at UMass Amherst use a custom microscope to study cellular active transport, discovering that high traffic slows cargo movement but doesn't hinder the process. By using quantum dots as biological probes, they found that multiple motors attached to a single cargo can overcome stalled motors and maintain efficient transport.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 3, 2012

Giving fluorescence microscopy new power to study cellular transport

Researchers developed a new method to study cellular transport dynamics, providing more comprehensive information than existing methods. The dispersion-relation fluorescence spectroscopy (DFS) approach labels molecules of interest, analyzing spontaneous fluorescence intensity fluctuations to quantify mass transport dynamics.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 2, 2012

Export extravaganza

Researchers at EMBL found that 15% of human genes influence the secretory pathway, a complex network for transporting molecules to the cell membrane. This discovery suggests cells have evolved a strategy to adapt to environmental changes.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJun 4, 2012

Molecular motors in cells work together, study shows

A new study reveals that molecular motors in cells operate in a highly coordinated manner to move internal cargo and transport organelles. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms that instruct motor movement, potentially leading to therapies for neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS and Usher syndrome.

SourceUniversity of Virginia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2009

Pores open the door to death

Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology found that tiny pores on the cell surface allow granzymes to enter cells, providing a new target for therapeutic methods. The discovery could lead to improved treatments for chronic virus infections and cancer.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 16, 2008

Tug of war in the cells

In a tug-of-war-like mechanism, opposing motor teams determine the direction of cargo transport in cells. The winning team transports cargo quickly, while losing motors are removed from the microtubule.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 19, 2008

Motor transport in bio-nano systems

Researchers modelled and simulated motor traffic to determine optimal conditions for nanocargo transport in biomimetic systems. The study found that increasing the number of motors while avoiding traffic jams is crucial for efficient cargo transport.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateMay 5, 2005