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Improving protein folding may lead to new diabetes treatments

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found that enhancing protein-folding processes can help prevent harm to insulin-producing cells. The study revealed the importance of a chaperone protein called binding immunoglobulin protein and its cochaperone protein p58 IPK in maintaining proper proinsulin folding.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

The OsMADS18-OsbZIP60 module plays a critical role in influencing grain chalkiness in rice

Researchers identified OsMADS18 as a key regulator of grain chalkiness, enhancing the trait with loss-of-function mutations. OsbZIP60 was found to interact with OsMADS18, positively regulating chalkiness-related genes. The OsMADS18-OsbZIP60 module also influences grain weight and starch content under high-temperature conditions.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateFeb 24, 2026

Disrupting stress management in cancer cells

Scientists have created a high-potency IRE1 inhibitor with a unique inhibition mode that targets the unfolded protein response in cancer cells. This compound binds to the kinase pocket of IRE1, allosterically suppressing its RNAse activity and restoring proper protein folding.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 29, 2025
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Unfolded Protein Response pathway offers new targets to treat bone weakness in cancer patients

Researchers identify three primary UPR pathways and their downstream cascades, which play a crucial role in the differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Targeting these pathways with emerging drugs may alleviate bone-related events and kill tumors localized in bones.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalBone Research·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 25, 2025

Do smells prime our gut to fight off infection?

A study from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that nematodes react to pathogenic bacteria by destroying mitochondria to protect against iron-stealing bacteria. This protective response suggests that humans may also respond to the smell of pathogens to prepare their gut for infection.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2024

Longevity may be associated with olfactory perception of harmful substances

Research found that nematodes can sense danger by smell, triggering a neural circuit that induces a response in other tissues, leading to a longer lifespan and less protein aggregation. The study suggests that manipulating perceptions of chemical substances could be a route to intervention in neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Aging·DateOct 25, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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Cell biology: How cellular powerhouses call for help when under stress

A team of researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt has discovered a central switch point in the mitochondrial signaling chain under misfolding stress. The mitochondria send two chemical signals to the cell when protein misfolding stress occurs, triggering a protective response that reduces misfolded proteins and stabilizes membranes.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2023

UPR-induced ovarian cancer cell fusion: a mechanism favoring drug resistance?

Researchers discuss chemotherapeutic resistance in recurring ovarian cancer, focusing on the unfolded protein response and its effect on polyploid giant cancer cells. Understanding this mechanism could lead to investigating cancer cell molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncoscience·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 26, 2023

Study explores effects of resistance training in older adults at the cellular level

A new study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University explored the effects of resistance training on older adults' cellular level. The study found that resistance training did not significantly affect inflammatory proteins or redox balance markers, but showed a significant reduction in a specific protein ratio. This may support the...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalAntioxidants·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

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Oncoscience | SLFN11’s surveillance role in protein homeostasis

SLFN11 acts as a surveillance factor for protein homeostasis by alleviating proteotoxic stress derived from protein synthesis and maturation. Its lack makes cells vulnerable to anticancer drugs inducing ER and proteotoxic stress, leading to chemoresistance. SLFN11 is also involved in regulating immune response and inflammation.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncoscience·DateAug 3, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Cellular quality-control system identified as a culprit in coronavirus infection

A team of scientists has identified a compound that shows promise in easing COVID-19 symptoms by targeting the cellular quality-control system damaged by coronaviruses. The compound, AMG PERK 44, was found to halt virus replication and boost lung function in mice infected with MERS.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2021

Tumor reasons why cancers thrive in chromosomal chaos

Researchers describe how cancer cells exploit genetic and cellular processes to promote tumor survival and growth. The study found that aneuploidy, a condition of abnormal chromosome number, intersects with the stress response mechanism in cancer cells, leading to immune cell dysregulation.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEMBO Reports·DateOct 26, 2021

Regulation of protein homeostasis by cardiac glycosides

Researchers discovered periplocin, a potent inhibitor of the IRE1-XBP1 axis, which suppresses the unfolded protein response (UPR). Cardiac glycosides, commonly used for cardiac insufficiency therapy, also exhibited similar UPR-suppressing effects.

SourceNagoya City University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 6, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

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Cellular stress causes cancer cell chemoresistance

A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) regulon, a comprehensive list of genes activated to promote cell survival under stress. The researchers discovered that changes in one-carbon metabolism, relying on vitamin folate as a cofactor, contribute to chemoresistance in cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 10, 2020

Unfolded protein response is associated with dentinogenesis imperfecta

Non-syndromic Dentinogenesis Imperfecta is characterized by discolored teeth with a blue-gray or yellow-brown color and translucent appearance. Chronic Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) may be associated with the disorder, caused by mutant dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene mutations.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateJul 25, 2018

How Zika virus induces congenital microcephaly

An international team of researchers identified a specific mechanism leading to Zika virus-associated microcephaly, involving protein misfolding and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This triggers the unfolded protein response, promoting apoptosis in neuronal cells and reducing cortical neuron development.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateDec 11, 2017

Stanford biologists identify ancient stress response in corals

Researchers discovered that corals activate ancient genes when exposed to stressful conditions, which could serve as an early warning sign for coral bleaching events. This study provides a new way to monitor coral health and predict bleaching events, potentially helping scientists identify and map survivor coral colonies worldwide.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 8, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Tips from the American Journal of Pathology

Researchers at the University of Tokyo identified a novel biomarker to monitor acute kidney injury, while a study found that the unfolded protein response contributes to nerve cell death in Alzheimer's Disease. Additionally, a bacterial toxin disrupts intestinal epithelial barrier function, leading to systemic infection.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateMar 25, 2009

Unfolded proteins may protect cells from dying

Research from Rockefeller University reveals that unfolded protein response serves a protective role, shielding cells from death. The study focuses on autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, where unfolded proteins accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum, indicating their protective mechanism.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateDec 22, 2006