Articles tagged with Bacterial Proteins
Biophysicists at JILA measured protein folding with unprecedented detail, identifying 14 intermediate states in bacteriorhodopsin. The discovery reveals previously unknown dynamics, shedding light on the complex behavior of membrane proteins.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered a new compound that could translate into a new drug lead for tuberculosis. The compound, which is derived from soil bacteria compounds, has been shown to be effective against the bacterium causing TB in containment laboratory tests.
A team of researchers led by Paola Picotti found that only a small fraction of key proteins denature at high temperatures, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery has implications for understanding protein stability and potentially improving the performance of heat-resistant bacteria for industrial processes.
Researchers found that viruses stimulate the assembly of light-harvesting complexes in host bacteria, allowing for efficient photosynthesis and energy production. This mechanism provides a selective advantage to the virus, enabling it to replicate quickly.
Scientists have detected antimicrobial protein fragments in Komodo dragon blood that help resist deadly infections. Eight peptides from the plasma showed significant potency against bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, offering a potential lead for new therapeutics.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered how enteropathogenic bacteria sense host attachment and reorganize gene expression to exploit cells. This understanding may lead to new strategies to combat bacterial infections.
An international team of scientists has discovered the critical role of FtsZ filament motion in bacterial cell division, revealing a novel mechanism for building the cell wall. The study provides insights into the process and potential targets for new antibiotics.
Researchers from Aarhus University and Arla found that concentrating milk on-farm using reverse osmosis does not negatively affect protein breakdown or free fatty acid levels. The quality of milk powder made from concentrated milk is comparable to ordinary milk.
Scientists have discovered a sulfide-responsive protein, SqrR, in purple bacteria that regulates photosynthetic electron transfer to survive sulfide stress. This finding sheds light on the early evolution of photosynthesis and has potential applications in synthetic biology.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience suggests that prebiotic fibers can promote beneficial gut bacteria and recovery of normal sleep patterns after a stressful event. Regular intake of prebiotics may provide a natural way to cope with stress and support overall health.
Researchers at UCSB discovered a way to confer electricity-generating ability on non-electrogenic bacteria by feeding them synthetic iron-containing molecules. This technique has potential applications for sustainable electricity generation and wastewater treatment.
Modified bacteria successfully infiltrated tumors and activated the immune system to eliminate malignant cells. In a mouse model of human colon cancer, the combination of Salmonella and FlaB shrunk tumors and prolonged survival.
Researchers found that hemocyanin, an oxygen-transporting protein, is highly expressed in Asian citrus psyllids infected with the bacterium causing citrus greening. The protein may signal an immune response to infection and could be harnessed to help control disease spread.
Scientists from UNC School of Medicine have confirmed the functions in bacterial cells of two important excision repair proteins, Mfd and UvrD, using an advanced sequencing technique. The study provides a genome-wide map of excision repair in bacteria and highlights the potential for developing novel antibiotic drugs.
A light-sensing protein from a microbe has enabled new technologies for biomedical applications, including drug discovery and understanding human vision. The protein's dynamic structure is crucial for bacterial response to stimuli and also necessary for other proteins, such as rhodopsin pigment.
A fatty molecule thought to be unique to flowering plants has been found in bacteria from the Adriatic Sea, solving a 20-year-old paleontological mystery. The discovery challenges the assumption that isoarborinol's presence indicates land and flowering plant life.
Researchers found that bacteria alters molecules in a tick's gut, allowing it to enter and colonize the gut microbes. This finding could help scientists develop strategies to block tick-borne agents causing disease.
The new soy-based filter can capture nearly all pollutants, including small particles and hazardous gaseous molecules. The biodegradable material is cost-effective and has the potential to improve indoor air quality, particularly in regions with poor air quality.
A study by Princeton University found that Vibrio cholerae can more easily infect the intestines when curved due to a protein called CrvA. The bacteria's ability to change shape plays a critical role in its infection and reproduction.
The study reveals that ATP hydrolysis and proton motive force play crucial roles in protein export for flagella construction. High-resolution pH imaging detects small but significant differences in intracellular pH, proposing the use of both ATP and protons to achieve protein export.
Duke University researchers have solved the molecular structure of MurJ, a key protein in bacterial cell wall construction. The discovery could aid in the development of new antibiotics to combat mounting antibacterial resistance.
Researchers have identified a protein called Smurf1 that plays a crucial role in the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy tuberculosis bacteria. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments by strengthening this immune pathway.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have created a technique to produce chemically functionalised spider silk that can be tailored for drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and wound healing. The synthetic silk can be 'clicked' with antibiotics or fluorescent dyes using 'click-chemistry', allowing for controlled release.
A new study reveals that a minor pilin protein triggers pilus retraction in Vibrio cholerae, differing from other disease-causing bacteria. This discovery advances understanding of Type IV pili function and may aid in developing prevention and treatment strategies for cholera.
UCSF researchers have identified anti-CRISPR proteins that can switch off the widely used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system, reducing unintended edits and improving precision. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize CRISPR applications in both basic research and clinical settings.
A study has deciphered many interactions between human proteins using bacterial counterparts, potentially involved in diseases like cancer. The results help clarify molecular details of these interactions.
Bacteriorhodopsin, a key protein in cell membranes, uses light to transport protons and create a charge difference. Researchers used time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography to determine the proton pump mechanism, shedding light on a long-standing debate.
Researchers have successfully filmed protein folding in three dimensions for the first time, enabling them to observe minute changes in protein structures during transformation. The technique, developed using Japan's XFEL facility, has significant implications for drug development and studying membrane transport proteins.
Researchers propose a new type of traveling wave pattern that can adapt to varying system sizes, shedding light on bacterial cell division processes. The 'stretchable map' theory offers insights into protein self-organization and surface mapping on growing cells.
Researchers found a common bacterial cause of gum disease may trigger rheumatoid arthritis by inducing hypercitrullination, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. A study published in Science Translational Medicine identified Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans as the primary pathogen responsible for this process.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have identified a novel bacterial protein, BefA, that stimulates the growth of insulin-producing cells in zebrafish. This discovery highlights the crucial role of resident microbes in pancreas development and may lead to new diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic approaches for Type 1 diabetes.
Scientists have isolated three families of proteins that can turn off CRISPR-Cas9 systems specifically used for gene editing. This discovery offers a new strategy to prevent unintended changes in the genome, making gene editing more precise and controlled.
Researchers have identified a key role for ZG16 in protecting the body from intestinal bacteria, preventing inflammation and abdominal fat accumulation. The discovery provides new insights into the mechanisms of inflammatory bowel diseases and obesity.
A team of researchers has identified an oxygen-dependent toxin antitoxin system that can be targeted to inhibit biofilm formation and combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. By understanding the molecular mechanisms behind this system, scientists hope to develop more effective antimicrobials.
Using the Stampede supercomputer, researchers have developed a new method to study protein-ligand interactions without introducing disturbances. This technique, called Transient Induced Molecular Electronic Spectroscopy (TIMES), provides valuable information and insight for drug discovery, desalination, and bacterial energy production.
New research identifies nitrogen as a key driver for gut health, revealing how diet impacts the microbiota. The study suggests that the availability of intestinal nitrogen to microbes is crucial in shaping the microbiome.
Researchers have identified a key role for protein OmpA in protecting bacterial cells from environmental stress. The protein acts as a flexible clamp to connect the cell wall and outer membrane, providing mechanical support.
Researchers discovered four new chemicals that target and disrupt bacterial proteins called efflux pumps, a major cause of antibiotic resistance. The team's approach uses mechanics to revive existing antibiotics' ability to fight infection.
Researchers have developed a method to control genetically altered bacteria to release medicines to tumors or the gut, using temperature regulation. This technology has applications in novel therapeutics for cancer and other diseases.
Research suggests that skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes produces a protective protein called RoxP, which shields against UV radiation-induced oxidative stress and potentially various skin diseases.
A new U-M vaccine using siderophore molecules prevents E. coli growth in mouse bladders and kidneys, offering hope for a treatment against UTIs. The approach has shown success in mice but is still years away from human trials.
A University of California, Irvine study found that beneficial gut microbes produce proteins called microcins, which help block illness-causing bacteria like salmonella and invasive E. coli in inflamed intestines. The researchers hope to develop targeted antibiotics based on these findings.
Gene expression data from E. coli grown in space reveal reduced glucose uptake and increased extracellular acidity, suggesting altered bacterial behavior due to reduced transport of molecules.
Scientists have identified thousands of 'spliced epitopes', previously thought rare, which are highly prevalent and play a key role in the immune response. This discovery may lead to new understanding of autoimmune diseases and open opportunities for vaccine development.
Scientists at University of Würzburg have discovered a third RNA binding protein, ProQ, which controls gene activity and allows bacteria to quickly adapt to changing conditions. ProQ binds to nearly 100 regulatory RNAs in Salmonella enterica, influencing their activities.
Researchers have engineered a bacteriophage called NanoLuc that causes E. coli O157:H7 to emit light, allowing for faster and cheaper detection of contaminated food products. The new method can detect as few as four bacteria in eight hours.
Researchers at Rice University have received a $2 million NIH grant to create a library of programmed bacteria that can produce therapeutic drugs on-site in response to dietary triggers. The project aims to advance the development of a biological control system for safely and effectively turning bacteria on and off.
The DFG is funding seven new research units with a total of approximately €15 million. The units will focus on various topics such as building design, metal-organic frameworks, and autoimmune diseases like pemphigus. The funding will enable researchers to pursue current issues in their fields and establish innovative directions.
A newly discovered bacterium divides by orienting its plane parallel to its axis and dividing asynchronously, challenging traditional cell biology theories. This unique method may provide an evolutionary advantage to the symbiont, allowing it to remain faithful to its host.
Cedars-Sinai has awarded nearly $700,000 to scientists developing new treatments and technologies for precision health. The goal is to tailor therapies and medications for specific patients based on their molecular makeups.
Researchers found that exposure to bacterial proteins can cause brain proteins to misfold and lead to inflammation in the brain. The study suggests that gut bacteria may play a role in initiating these diseases, potentially leading to new treatments.
Researchers found that Klebsiella pneumoniae siderophores play a crucial role in facilitating invasive infection by triggering inflammation and activating HIF-1 alpha, allowing bacteria to spread from the lungs to the spleen. The study suggests that therapies targeting siderophore production could provide a two-pronged attack against K...
Bacteria can share molecular spear guns and toxic molecules with closely related strains, allowing them to reuse proteins and produce new weapons. This cooperation enables bacteria to form a survival advantage against competitors, recycling harpooned proteins and toxins to assemble their own T6SSs.
A team of Japanese researchers has elucidated the structure of the bacterial flagellar motor protein MotA from a hot spring bacterium. The study reveals that MotA forms a tetramer complex with a unique shape differing from previous predictions, and can exist independently of another transmembrane protein MotB.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have made a breakthrough in developing a vaccine against group A Streptococcus, responsible for over 500,000 deaths annually. By identifying common sequence patterns in the M protein, the team aims to create an antibody response that targets multiple strains of the bacteria.
Researchers at the Boyce Thompson Institute have discovered a new receptor in tomato plants called FLAGELLIN-SENSING 3 (FLS3) that triggers defenses against bacterial attacks. FLS3 detects a part of the flagellum protein and helps tomatoes defend against bacteria with altered flagellin shapes.
Research reveals GBS produces membrane-bound vesicles containing toxins and immune-modulators that can attack the host, leading to inflammation of membranes surrounding the fetus. The study shows that these vesicles can induce preterm birth and fetal injury in mice, with approximately 60% of fetuses born prematurely.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have discovered a way to disrupt bacterial flagella growth, which are crucial for infection spread. By modifying a key protein, they can trap flagella inside bacteria, preventing them from moving and infecting the body.
Researchers have developed a live-cell-imaging-based system that reveals the molecular and biomechanical mechanisms of Lyme disease bacteria's ability to spread through blood vessels. The study found that BBK32 plays a crucial role in stabilizing bacterial-vascular interactions, and bacteria use bungee-cord-like tethers to move along e...
Researchers found that certain gut bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, metabolize gluten differently than beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus. This variation can either stimulate inflammation in individuals with genetic risk or detoxify gluten, potentially influencing celiac disease development.