Articles tagged with Bacterial Proteins
A new report suggests that routine dental cleanings and periodontal scaling can lower medical care costs for people with diabetes. The study found significant reductions in medical expenses, with costs decreasing by an average of 11-12% per month.
ETH Zurich researchers discovered a previously unknown protein structure and mechanism for sulfur transfer in E. coli, which could lead to the development of antibacterial drugs targeting urinary tract infections. The unique two-propeller structure of ASST catalyzes a ping-pong mechanism for sulfuryl transfer.
A team of researchers from the University of Arizona has discovered a new method for protein-DNA interaction, where proteins can identify specific sequences on DNA using indirect readout. This breakthrough has implications for the development of designer drugs and could lead to a better understanding of diseases.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh studied the Hedgehog signalling pathway in colon cells to find new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease. They discovered that a defective GLI1 protein may calm inflammation, but is only half as active in IBD patients.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered Paneth cells, which line the gut and secrete antimicrobial proteins to keep harmful bacteria from invading tissues. These cells serve as a defense mechanism to prevent disease and illnesses such as food poisoning.
Ethan Clark Garner has won the top award for understanding DNA segregation, assembly and regulation of bacterial actin-like proteins. His research has focused on a minimal DNA segregating machine that ensures dividing bacteria provide both halves with duplicate genetic material.
Biochemists at North Carolina State University have developed a new understanding of how bacterial proteins make life-or-death decisions by controlling DNA binding. The findings could lead to new targets for drugs to disrupt bacterial decision-making processes and related diseases.
Scientists have identified new species of bacteria that can grow at low temperatures and spoil raw milk even when refrigerated. The discovery highlights the complex microbial population of raw milk and underscores the importance of developing tools to monitor cold-tolerant bacteria.
University of Michigan researchers uncover the key to bleach's bacterial-killing power by studying a molecular chaperone. Hypochlorite in bleach causes proteins to lose structure and form aggregates, killing bacteria. This discovery may also shed light on immune system function and fighting off infections.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, discovered a protein compass that helps amoebas find bacteria by scent. This molecular switch is also shared with human immune cells to locate infection sites.
Researchers have discovered how bacteria respond to stress, shedding light on their infectious potential and the development of new drugs to combat bacterial infections. The stressosome molecule protects cells from external danger, triggering a response to adapt to changes in environment.
A new technology developed by Oregon State University can detect toxic behavior of contaminating bacteria, improving food protection while reducing costly recalls and waste. The approach uses pigment-bearing cells from Siamese fighting fish to assess toxicity in minutes.
Researchers identified A2BAR as a potential therapeutic target for acute lung injury, which spontaneously resolves in some individuals. Additionally, human immune cells' secreted proteins enhance the clearance of bacteria by other immune cells, offering a new mechanism for bacterial infections.
Researchers found that oral bacteria can cause platelets to clot in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and leading to heart attacks. Studies demonstrated that certain proteins on the bacteria play a crucial role in this process, highlighting the need for new treatments and vaccines.
Scientists have identified a direct role for the missing protein CFTR in cystic fibrosis, allowing it to recognize and clear lung-damaging bacteria. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments and prolong the lives of patients, who currently face a high risk of death before their 35th birthday due to chronic lung infections.
Researchers have discovered a link between gum disease and heart disease, suggesting that controlling gum disease could reduce the risk of heart attacks. The study found that heat shock proteins produced by bacteria can initiate atherosclerosis, a condition that causes "furring" of the arteries.
Scientists discovered that biofilm bacteria produce harmful chemicals, including a protein similar to rattlesnake venom, which can cause disease progression and resistance to antibiotics. This research has significant implications for the treatment of hospital superbugs, cystic fibrosis, and cancer.
Associate professor C. Erec Stebbins at Rockefeller University has been awarded a prestigious EUREKA grant to exploit a 'nanosyringe' technology for delivering proteins into specific cells. The grant aims to develop therapeutic applications, including restoring tumor-suppressing proteins and treating genetic diseases.
Bacteria use multifunctional enzymes to save energy and produce cell wall components, making them resistant to fluoroquinolone antibiotics. This 'moonlighting' activity protects the enzyme DNA gyrase from attack by antibiotics.
Researchers discovered that eosinophils release mitochondrial DNA, binding it to toxic granule proteins to form a net that traps and kills bacteria. This mechanism is linked to improved survival rates and lower bacterial numbers in mice with widespread infections.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a novel method called GIANT-Coli to study genetic interactions in E. coli, allowing rapid and large-scale studies of the bacterium's genes. This method has great potential to quicken the discovery of new gene functions, with potential applications in medicine.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria bind to human proteins fibronectin, shedding light on serious heart infections. The study could lead to the development of new treatments for rare but life-threatening conditions like infective endocarditis.
Bacteria have been found to rely on ancient forms of RNA to trigger major changes, resolving a question about the origin of life. This discovery supports the RNA World theory, which suggests that RNA was the first form of life on Earth.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered that the Legionella pneumophila bacterium uses Ank proteins to evade the immune system, allowing it to survive and cause disease. By understanding this mechanism, scientists hope to develop a vaccine targeting specific elements of the protein.
Scientists have discovered a molecular trick used by Salmonella to evade the immune system, giving it crucial time to establish itself in the host before symptoms appear. The AvrA protein helps reduce inflammation, allowing the bacteria to avoid detection and spread more easily.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham created artificial polymer vesicles that can communicate with bacterial cells using sugar groups. These vesicles transfer information to the cells in the form of dye molecules, opening possibilities for targeted drug delivery and treatment.
Three Caltech researchers, David Chan, Michael Elowitz, and Grant Jensen, were selected as new HHMI investigators. They will focus on mitochondrial dynamics, genetic circuits, and biological imaging to advance scientific knowledge dramatically. The selection brings the total number of HHMI investigators at Caltech to 10.
Christine Jacobs-Wagner, a leading expert on bacteria, has been designated an HHMI investigator for her pioneering work on the internal mechanisms of bacteria. Her research has led to new insights into human illnesses and survival strategies of ancient organisms.
Four Stanford researchers Mark Schnitzer, Kang Shen, Seung K. Kim, and Julie Theriot have been awarded the prestigious title of HHMI investigators for their groundbreaking work in biomedical science. They will now have the freedom to tackle ambitious and risky research projects without restriction.
A new study reveals that the ancient protein Rho serves a regulatory function in E. coli, maintaining boundaries between genes and silencing toxic foreign DNA acquired through gene swapping. This finding provides insights into bacterial genome organization and suggests potential applications in antibiotic development.
Scientists have determined the crystal structures of two DNA-repair proteins, AlkB and ABH2, which repair alkylation damage to DNA. This discovery could lead to designing molecules that interfere with the repair process, making cancer treatment more effective.
Researchers at Duke University have made a major advance in understanding how bacteria divide, paving the way for new antibiotic treatments. They created an artificial system that demonstrates the importance of FtsZ protein in bacterial cell division.
Using a bioinspired approach, researchers mimicked magnetotactic bacteria to synthesize ferromagnetic nanoparticles with desirable magnetic properties. The team successfully produced cobalt-ferrite nanoparticles, which have more desirable magnetic properties than magnetite.
A team of scientists has solved the mystery of how proteins control bacterial cell division, a crucial process that can be targeted by new antibiotics. By understanding the role of protein MinC, they have identified a potential target for drug development.
Scientists have discovered two proteins that guide pathogenic bacteria's outer shell development, paving the way for new antibiotic targets. Researchers aim to create small molecule inhibitors to disable this mechanism, potentially leading to effective treatments against E. coli and salmonella.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered how TB bacteria becomes resistant to isoniazid, a key treatment for the disease. The study reveals that mutations in bacterial enzymes protect it from the treatment, highlighting the importance of understanding drug resistance.
A £285,000 grant from The Wellcome Trust will support the development of new infection-control methods that do not rely on conventional antibiotics. The team will focus on understanding how Streptococcus bacteria interact with host tissues and proteins to identify targets for prevention.
Researchers have demonstrated that immunization with a stabilized version of M protein found on Streptococcus bacteria can provide protection against Strep infections. The modified M1 protein stimulates the immune system in mice without serious side effects.
Researchers have found that the YscJ lipoprotein component determines the location of a key injection device in plague bacteria. This discovery sheds light on how Yersinia pestis causes the bubonic plague and could lead to new treatments.
Researchers at Ohio State University identified two proteins, MprF1 and MprF2, that contribute to bacterial resistance by altering the electrical charge of cell membranes. This finding could lead to the development of new drugs targeting bacterial resistance at its cellular source.
Researchers have solved the structure of two proteins that enable bacteria to develop resistance to various types of antibiotics, providing insights into their evolution and design strategies for new drugs. This discovery could aid in developing effective treatments against antibiotic-resistant infections.
A Vanderbilt University team has discovered a protein that blocks the growth of 'staph' bacteria by sopping up manganese and zinc, offering a new way to treat infections. The protein, calprotectin, is naturally produced by immune cells in response to bacterial infections, making it a potential target for therapeutic interventions.
Researchers reconstructed proteins from ancient bacteria to measure the Earth's temperature over billions of years, revealing a massive cooling period between 500 million and 3.5 billion years ago. This study provides insight into how life adapted to the changing environment during the Precambrian period.
Researchers at Brandeis University and the University of Georgia have identified ten new compounds that inhibit Cryptosporidium's parasitic activity, including four effective in stopping infection in laboratory tests. The discovery provides an avenue for much-needed therapy for this debilitating disease.
Scientists are developing a novel treatment strategy to target the key enzyme responsible for tooth decay in Streptococcus mutans bacteria. By disrupting this enzyme, researchers hope to render the bacteria more vulnerable to acid damage and prevent the formation of cavity-causing acid.
Researchers discovered that insect larvae can detect and respond to non-pathogenic bacteria in their diet, triggering an immune response. This reaction affects pupation time and mass, highlighting the trade-offs of a balanced diet for insects.
Researchers found that Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, a bacterium causing cattle illness, triggers Crohn's disease in humans by releasing a molecule preventing white blood cells from killing E.coli bacteria. The team suggests dairy products, including cow milk, may be the entry point for this bacterium.
Roman Ganta has received a National Institutes of Health grant to study how to stop Ehrlichia chaffeensis from making animals and people sick. The bacteria can evade the immune system, leading to serious symptoms in humans, particularly those with compromised immune systems.
A team from the University of Illinois identified SgrS, a 200-nucleotide-long RNA molecule, which performs two functions to regulate glucose metabolism in bacteria. The molecule binds to messenger RNA to inhibit new glucose transporter production and codes for a protein that retards existing transporter activity.
The study revealed that Rhesus protein is made by a bacterium, Nitrosomonas europaea, and determined its first X-ray crystal structure at high resolution. This provides important insights into how these proteins facilitate ammonium movement across cell membranes in humans.
Scientists at Northwestern University are mapping parts of lethal bacteria in three dimensions, exposing a fresh opening into the bacteria's vulnerabilities. This view will enable scientists to create drugs to disable or vaccines to prevent deadly infectious diseases such as anthrax, plague, and Ebola.
Researchers at Yale University discovered that Legionella proteins work together to survive by hijacking cellular compartments. The bacteria manipulate macrophages to transport them to nutrient-rich organelles, where they replicate in high numbers.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a mathematical tool that computed the mechanical force exerted by the Z-ring when it helps bacteria cells split. The calculation revealed a surprisingly small force of 8 piconewtons, which could aid scientists in developing new antibiotics and understanding cell division.
Researchers at Harvard University have found that a simple circadian clock can maintain an accurate 24-hour cycle through the rhythmic addition and subtraction of phosphate groups on a single protein. This discovery builds upon previous research and has implications for understanding general feedback mechanisms in organisms.
A new study shows that spaceflight affects the genetic responses and disease-causing potential of Salmonella typhimurium, making it more infectious. The research, led by Arizona State University, reveals a key role for a master regulator called Hfq in triggering these changes.
Researchers have found that three major classes of antibiotics work by ramping up harmful free radicals in bacteria, making existing antibiotics less effective. This discovery could lead to new classes of antibiotics and improved methods for treating resistant infections.
Researchers at Boston University have found a previously unknown chain of events in bacteria that opens the door to new avenues of research. The team discovered a common process triggered by all three types of antibiotics, resulting in excessive free radical production that can be amplified or weakened to enhance lethality.
Researchers have found that the protective coat of superbug Clostridium difficile can self-assemble into regular shapes, opening up new avenues for fighting hospital superbugs and commercial applications in nanotechnology. This discovery could lead to identifying weaknesses in the coats or discovering new target molecules.
Researchers at Tufts University discovered that the CodY protein regulates the genes controlling C. difficile toxin production, which kills human intestinal cells by causing them to burst open. This understanding opens the door for developing a drug that can prevent hospital patients from falling ill.
Bacteria and nematode worms work together to kill insects using insecticidal toxins. The toxins, found in Photorhabdus luminescens, are also found in human pathogens Yersinia pestis and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.