Articles tagged with Bacterial Proteins
A recent study published in Journal of Nutrition found that human intestinal cells with excess iron are more susceptible to bacterial infection. The researchers suggest that fortifying foods with high doses of iron may be causing other health problems and recommend a revision of the standard policy of iron fortification.
A new study found that patients with periodontal disease have higher levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation associated with cardiovascular risks. The study suggests a possible link between oral bacteria and heart disease, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good gum health.
Researchers have discovered a bacterial protein called anti-TRAP (AT) that participates in regulating tryptophan production. The newly discovered protein helps Bacillus bacteria control the production of tryptophan, one of the building blocks of most proteins in humans.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have solved the first high-resolution structure of a membrane transporter, which can help design new drugs against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and certain cancer cells. The breakthrough could lead to increased efficacy of chemotherapy agents.
Researchers have developed a technology to engineer proteins as widely adaptable bioelectronic sensors for detecting specific chemicals. The engineered proteins, when attached to electrodes, can produce an electric signal reflecting the chemical's identity and concentration.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a new model of staph drug resistance that implicates an unlikely protein. The study shows that the mecA gene confers resistance to methicillin and other antibiotics by coding for a different PBP, which is not destroyed by beta-lactam antibiotics.
By altering the order of structural elements during folding, researchers successfully redesigned the protein G's pathway to mimic that of another protein. The re-engineered protein exhibited increased stability and a significantly faster folding rate than its natural counterpart.
Research reveals complex molecular changes in Lyme bacteria during tick feeding, leading to variable surface protein expressions. This complexity makes it challenging to develop effective vaccines, but understanding the biology of transmission may lead to better vaccine candidates.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have discovered that Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes bubonic plague, uses an ancient agent to sever vital cell signaling pathways. This mechanism is shared by both plant and animal bacteria, including those that cause black rot and other diseases.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified ubiquitin as crucial to budding, a process allowing viruses to exit host cells and infect new ones. The study's findings suggest that ubiquitin plays a key role in the maturation and release of viral particles from the cell surface.
Researchers at ZymoGenetics have identified a novel Interleukin, IL-21, and its receptor, which play a crucial role in regulating the immune system. The discovery was made using an integrated genomics approach and has shown promising results in promoting the activation of immune cells.
Listeria monocytogenes has discovered a mechanism for managing infection by living comfortably inside cells until ready to break out and spread the infection. The bacteria use a pore-forming toxin, listeriolysin O, that is modified with a PEST sequence tag, allowing it to evade the host's immune system.
Biomedical engineers at Johns Hopkins University use a laser device to view microscopic movement and detect stutter-step motions in Listeria tails. This contradicts the widely held belief that filaments grow and push in a smooth continuous motion, suggesting a new mechanism for bacterial locomotion.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified an intracellular target for an antimicrobial molecule, which may lead to the development of new antibiotics tailored to specific disease-causing bacteria. The discovery provides hope for combating antibiotic resistance, a growing threat to human health.
Streptococcal bacteria use the bacterial capsule containing hyaluronic acid to bind to epithelial cells of the pharynx and cause sore throats. Suppression of CD44 levels or use of antibodies/ exogenous hyaluronic acid can block this interaction.
The Protein Structure Initiative aims to determine protein form and function, improving health and disease understanding. The project uses x-ray crystallography, NMR, and computation to identify protein structures in minimal organisms.
Five NYC research institutions join forces to develop high-speed methods to decipher 3D protein structures, focusing on disease-related proteins. The collaboration aims to provide a way for researchers to quickly translate genomic knowledge into promising drug targets.
The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory will use its powerful X-ray crystallography instruments to determine the three-dimensional structure of 2,000 proteins encoded by human DNA. This grant is part of a nationwide research effort to understand protein structures and functions.
The NIGMS Structural Genomics Awards will support seven research centers in determining the structures of thousands of proteins over the next decade. The project aims to advance our understanding of biological processes and develop new treatments for diseases.
The Midwest Center for Structural Genomics aims to cut the cost of determining protein structures from $100,000 to $20,000, reducing analysis time from months and years to days and hours. The center will select protein targets from various kingdoms of life to study disease-causing proteins.
Researchers have discovered a virus with an armored coat made of interlocking rings of protein, similar to medieval chain mail suits. The discovery could lead to new designs for nanotechnology, as the unique structure allows for stability while maintaining mobility.
OHSU researchers discovered that bacteria like E. coli and Neisseria use pili to congregate into microcolonies before invading cells, which can lead to disease spread. The study provides strong data on the mechanism of bacterial movement, potentially leading to new treatments.
Scientists have discovered a new light-activated protein in surface water bacteria, which may represent a new mechanism for cycling carbon in the oceans. The protein, called proteorhodopsin, pumps ions across the cell membrane when exposed to light, generating energy for marine microbes.
Researchers discovered an enzyme called isocitrate lyase (ICL) that allows TB bacteria to persist in macrophages and evade immune attack. A drug targeting ICL may reduce treatment time for chronic infection. The enzyme's crystal structure has been determined, providing clues for designing drugs to attack persistent TB bacteria.
Yale researchers determined the atomic structure of the ribosome's large subunit, revealing its RNA-based enzymatic component. This breakthrough has significant medical implications, as the ribosome is a major target for antibiotics, and could lead to new treatments for resistant bacterial diseases.
Researchers discovered that gatekeeper protein YidC allows essential proteins to enter bacterial membranes, while its absence leads to bacterial death. This finding suggests a new pathway for protein translocation and implies a common ancestor among bacteria, chloroplasts, and mitochondria.
Researchers have determined the 3-dimensional structure of a Rosetta Stone protein, which may help scientists understand how cells are programmed to die and shed light on the role of loss in cancer. The human Fhit protein is encoded at the most fragile site in the genome and is lost in many human cancers.
The structure of E. coli intimin-receptor complex shows how the bacterium attaches to intestinal cells, using a protein-protein complex with rigid arms and attaching hands. This finding could lead to new drug designs to thwart infection.
Researchers create a new type of antibiotics that bind to bacterial protein-making machinery, preventing resistance. The approach could yield an antibiotic approximately 1,000 times more effective than the original, offering hope in combating the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Scientists have identified an unusual protein in anaerobic bacteria that senses oxygen and causes the bacteria to swim away from it. The protein could lead to the development of new antibiotics and provide insight into the evolution of life.
Scientists discover a new way cells can relay messages to affect gene activity through a protein-processing program that dismantles proteins into fragments acting as messengers. The study reveals a fragment of the developmental protein Notch serves as a messenger determining a cell's fate, influencing gene activity and cell behavior.
A NY pilot study is pushing the Human Genome Project towards developing promising drug targets for disease. The initiative uses recent advances in computational biology to quickly analyze and categorize proteins, focusing on those that cause or treat diseases.
Scientists propose a revised four-point location model to explain how proteins discriminate between mirror-image molecules. This new understanding could significantly impact drug design, as it challenges the long-held three-point attachment model and may lead to more effective treatment strategies.
A University of Hawaii research team has discovered a new class of myoglobin-like proteins in ancient microorganisms, which may be the evolutionary ancestors of proteins involved in oxygen sensing and transport. These proteins help sense oxygen, allowing the organism to find a more favorable oxygen environment.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that immune system cells can attack normal cells carrying mimic molecules, leading to autoimmune diseases like arthritis. The study suggests subtle changes that could underlie many autoimmune diseases and offers a starting point for investigating environmental or genetic triggers.
Scientists have identified a protein fragment that elicits an immune response against infected cells and cancer cells. The fragment, derived from a heat shock protein, was tested in mice lacking a healthy immune system and showed promising results.
Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School have discovered a way to inhibit the enzyme that many bacteria use to infect and damage hosts. This finding could provide a foundation for developing new agents to combat bacterial infections, potentially leading to therapies against cystic fibrosis and other diseases.
A Brandeis University researcher has mapped the structure of ephemeral protein 'switches' that play a critical role in transforming mild-mannered bacteria into lethal parasites. This finding raises the prospect of a novel kind of antibiotic to combat growing resistance among many bacteria.
The three-dimensional structure reveals that invasin is a rod-like protein resembling five tandemly arranged beads. Researchers now have a more specific target for developing antibacterial agents, as blocking binding to crucial regions of the invasin receptors should prevent bacterial entry into cells.
A team of researchers has produced high-resolution images of a complete ribosome complex using the Advanced Light Source (ALS), revealing more about its structure than previous observations. The new crystallographic images provide insights into how transfer RNA interacts with the ribosome and the molecular mechanisms of protein synthesis.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have solved the molecular intricacies of how a fruit fly controls its internal clock to cycles of light and dark. The team found that the proteosome plays a key role in TIM protein degradation, which is controlled by exposure to light.
A University of Iowa study reveals that high salt concentrations in the airways of people with cystic fibrosis prevent antimicrobial peptides from working effectively. This finding provides new ideas about potential treatments for the disease.
Scientists have developed a method to deliver large proteins into cells using a molecular passport. The technology allows for lower doses and fewer side effects, making it a promising avenue for therapeutic approaches. This breakthrough could enable the creation of drugs that act only in disease-related cells.
Biotechnology graduates need to expand their course load and vary their skills to succeed in careers like regulatory affairs, clinical trials coordination, and bioinformatics. Many biotech companies require employees with degrees in scientific disciplines to transition into management, information technology, and marketing roles.
Researchers found a dual-purpose protein, FucR, that allows Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron to control its nutrient intake by silencing or activating genes involved in fucose metabolism. This communication mechanism may be crucial for maintaining intestinal ecosystem stability and preventing the overgrowth of harmful microbes.
Researchers have obtained X-ray images of crucial steps in bacterial infection, revealing the structure of pili and adhesins that enable bacteria to cling to tissue. The findings provide new insights into the development of effective antimicrobial strategies and vaccine candidates.
Scientists have discovered a highly error-prone DNA copying system in bacteria that causes genetic mutations under ultraviolet radiation. This 'sloppier copier' reveals how cells can intentionally introduce mistakes to survive and evolve.
The Wistar Institute's Recombinant Protein and Structure Evaluation Center has been admitted to the Ben Franklin Technology PArtners' Center of Excellence Network Program for the second consecutive year. The center provides services to small and medium-sized biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, specializing in baculovirus expres...
Researchers found that mast cells recognize harmful bacteria and alert the immune system to destroy them, clearing up a mystery about their role. Mast cells can also boost the immune system in people with weakened immune systems.
Biochemists identify a genetic slip causing cystic fibrosis by degrading the CFTR protein's twisted structure. A new approach uses heavy water to fix the mutant protein, paving the way for lab testing of non-toxic drugs.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created the largest protein from scratch, inspired by a household bacteria. The protein, called alpha-3D, has a well-defined three-dimensional structure and could lead to novel drugs and diagnostic tools.
A study by Ohio State University researchers reveals that humic acid can trap nitrogen-containing proteins in soil, reducing their availability to plants. The process may be responsible for declining rice yields in Southeast Asia despite increased fertilizer use.
A new way to immunize against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium has been developed, providing a fresh alternative to antibiotics in fighting this deadly microbe. The antibody blocks the toxin delivery system, allowing lung cells to mount a defense and prevent delivery of toxins.
A new sulfoxide hydrogel polymer enhances water levels in the eye while minimizing protein buildup, leading to softer lenses that are more comfortable and breathable. Clinical trials have begun for these innovative contact lenses, which could become available as early as next year.
Researchers discovered that lysozyme, a protein abundant in tears, is also present in the urine of pregnant women and acts as a potent anti-HIV agent. Additionally, ribonucleases were identified in the urine, breaking apart viral RNA and potentially inhibiting HIV replication.
Weizmann Institute scientists develop a heat-shock protein-based vaccine that triggers high-performance antibodies against bacterial infections, providing nearly complete protection against lethal doses. The new approach may lead to improved vaccines for various diseases and potentially cancer therapy.
A new protein in Candida albicans allows the fungus to adhere strongly to mucosal cells, facilitating its growth and proliferation. The discovery could lead to the development of inhibitors to prevent or treat Candidiasis infections.
Researchers at HHMI and Stanford University have developed a new method to engineer drug molecules that bind more effectively to their targets. By attaching small molecule inhibitors to larger proteins, the team increased the binding affinity of the inhibitor, making it easier to inhibit protein-protein interactions.
Researchers found that Chlamydia proteins can trigger an autoimmune response in the host, leading to inflammation of the heart. The link between Chlamydia and heart disease appears to involve an autoimmune disorder, with similar proteins on the pathogen's surface matching those found in human heart muscle.
A team of scientists has created a detailed model of the structure of a protein in photosynthetic bacteria, which can help explain how certain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Mad Cow Disease occur. The model shows how nature uses irregular forms to create complex structures that are effective at absorbing sunlight.