Articles tagged with Bacterial Proteins
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that a deadly anthrax toxin can block multiple types of pain in mice by altering signaling in pain-sensing neurons. This approach offers a novel precision-targeted pain treatment strategy without the widespread systemic effects of current pain-relief drugs.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis described for the first time the structure of CcsBA, a protein that transports heme and attaches it to cytochromes. The study revealed two conformational states of CcsBA, allowing scientists to characterize the enzyme mechanism.
A new study reveals that Xanthomonas euvesicatoria has evolved to evade the immune system of tomato plants by changing a single amino acid in its flagellin proteins. This finding poses significant challenges for breeding disease-resistant tomato varieties, forcing farmers to rely on fungicides and copper treatments.
Researchers used room-temperature crystallography to study photosynthetic bacteria's proteins, discovering they are 'remarkably robust' and more efficient than previously thought. The study sheds new insight into the mechanism of electron transfer early in photosynthesis.
A daily dose of yoghurt has been found to be associated with lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. The study, conducted on 915 community-dwelling adults, found that even small amounts of yoghurt were linked to significant reductions in blood pressure.
A study led by New York University researchers found that the FDA-approved hepatitis C treatment telaprevir can increase bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics and reduce antibiotic resistance. The antiviral blocks the function of essential proteins in bacteria, revealing an opportunity to repurpose the drug to use alongside antibiotics.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover a 'disrupted' state in bacteria that resists current antibiotics, requiring new pharmacological agents to combat. The breakthrough model predicts bacterial population responses to treatments, offering avenues for better treatments against cancer cells.
Researchers have genetically engineered bacteria to detect specific chemicals in the gut, which can help maintain balanced neurotransmitter levels. The bacteria, called Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, produce enzymes that degrade or synthesize target chemicals, potentially alleviating mental health issues.
A study at Weill Cornell Medicine reveals how drugs can affect membrane-spanning proteins, causing unwanted side effects. The researchers found that membrane-associated drugs can interact with these proteins in multiple ways, leading to changes in membrane characteristics.
An international research team discovered that intestinal bacteria can distribute their metabolic products throughout the body via the bloodstream using membrane vesicles. The study found that these vesicles can overcome the blood-brain barrier and enter brain cells, suggesting a new method for delivering drugs or vaccines.
The need for new antibiotics is critical due to rising antibiotic resistance, which kills over 35,000 people annually in the US. Research by Harvard Medical School aims to develop better antibiotics by targeting essential bacterial proteins.
Researchers have identified a link between certain gut microbiome molecules and the immune system protein P-gp, which plays a critical role in gut inflammation. The study suggests that supporting a healthy balance of microbes in the gut may help regulate P-gp expression and prevent chronic inflammation.
Researchers have recorded the sharpest images of living bacteria, revealing a complex architecture that makes them harder to kill by antibiotics. The study found that bacteria with protective outer layers may have stronger and weaker spots on their surface.
Researchers found that bacteria create tiny liquid droplets from proteins to help them survive harsh environments and reduce the risk of being killed by antibiotics. These droplets, called aggresomes, are highly dynamic structures that allow bacteria to respond quickly to changes in their environment.
Researchers have developed Mass-Sensitive Particle Tracking (MSPT) to analyze proteins on biological membranes in real-time. The method enables the determination of protein location and size changes without labeling, providing valuable insights into dynamic processes at the membrane.
Researchers from the University of Seville discovered that a single amino acid mutation in Salmonella enzymes enables them to modify more proteins in infected cells, leading to increased virulence. This finding has significant implications for developing inhibitors as alternative antibacterial treatments.
A new method developed by Penn State and LLNL demonstrates a promising way to extract and separate rare earth elements from low-grade sources. The protein-based approach separates metals with greater than 99% purity, offering a more efficient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers have identified a new prophage-mediated defence system in Salmonella Typhimurium ST313 called BstA, which efficiently suppresses phage attacks. This discovery opens up a new avenue of research and could potentially lead to the development of new biotechnologies.
Researchers at Penn State have imaged a protein facilitating RNA modification, allowing them to reconstruct the process. The study reveals how a chemical tag is added to tRNA, improving its ability to translate messenger RNA into proteins.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have created a system that enables the production of 'good' bacteria capable of eliminating 'bad' bacteria. This breakthrough technology uses a toxin injection system to target specific types and amounts of toxins, offering an alternative to antibiotics.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a new antibacterial mechanism where immune cells cooperate to capture and 'eat' bacteria. This cooperation enhances the killing power of macrophages, increasing phagocytosis of bacterial pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant staph
Researchers have determined the structure of a molecule that helps S. pneumoniae take up manganese, a mineral essential for its survival. This finding could aid in designing new drugs to block this pathway and deny the bacteria its manganese supply.
Researchers identified two proteins, HMW1 and HMW2, that stimulate protective immunity against diverse NTHi strains. Immunization with these proteins provides protection against bacterial colonization by other strains, highlighting the vaccine potential for a nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae vaccine.
The KAUST Metagenomic Analysis Platform (KMAP) enables researchers worldwide to analyze massive microbial data, eliminating the need for advanced bioinformatics skills. KMAP allows scientists to identify proteins and enzymes with potential applications in various industries, such as agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
A team led by Professor Monique Lacroix at INRS has demonstrated that fermenting drinks fortified with pea and rice proteins yields the same quality of protein as casein. The study found that plant proteins can be predigested by lactic acid bacteria, facilitating their absorption during digestion.
Researchers have discovered a human cell protein that uses detergent-like action to dissolve bacterial membranes, killing invading pathogens. The protein, APOL3, is found in non-immune cells and offers wide protection against infections.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed a food generator concept that turns plastic waste and inedible biomass into edible protein. The project, which won the 2021 Future Insight Prize, uses microbes to break down plastics and non-edible plant biomass into safe and nutritious food.
A new study reveals that the connective tissue protein lumican promotes immune responses against bacterial infections while restraining overactive immune responses in sepsis. Lumican interacts with toll-like receptors on immune cells, stabilizing their interactions to increase activity and production of TNF-alpha.
Researchers have discovered that a bacterial protein has a similar structure and function as human ESCRT-III proteins, which are responsible for remodeling and rebuilding the cell membrane. The protein, PspA, forms protective structures on the cell membrane to cope with stress, and its structure is essential for its function.
Specialized bacteria in the oceans' seafloor have been found to consume and recycle DNA from dead biomass, a process that plays a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles. The study identified novel DNA-eating bacteria, including the species Izemoplasma acidinucleici, which have sophisticated tools for degrading DNA.
A low-protein diet with mostly resistant starch produces the healthiest outcomes, while a 50:50 glucose-fructose mixture leads to obesity and poor metabolic health. This study builds on previous findings that low protein-high carbohydrate diets in mice result in long lifespan and cardiometabolic health.
A novel liquid surface coating on human catheters could help reduce protein deposition that leads to urinary tract and bloodstream infections. The research explores the development of liquid-infused catheter surfaces for controlling protein deposition.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered a mechanism through which 'good' viruses can target and destroy 'bad' bacteria, using a bacteriophage protein to exploit the bacterial DNA's need for repair. This finding may lead to new tools to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers have developed cells that can construct artificial polymers from building blocks not found in nature, while also making them resistant to viral infections. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new polymers and more reliable manufacturing of certain drugs using bacteria.
Researchers have discovered a novel formaldehyde sensor in bacteria that helps them detect and respond to elevated levels of the toxic chemical. The EfgA protein directly senses formaldehyde and stops bacterial growth to protect cells.
A study by UT Southwestern researchers reveals that a protein called gasdermin B (GSDMB) is killed by the infectious bacteria Shigella flexneri, which tags GSDMB with a chemical tag for destruction. This discovery could lead to new antibiotics and treatments for inflammatory diseases such as asthma and Type 1 diabetes.
The new test detects a specific protein (CFP-10) in children's blood samples with high sensitivity and accuracy, identifying TB cases with 100% accuracy. It can detect TB up to 60 weeks before diagnosis, offering early detection and potentially saving lives.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis discovered variations in how animals and bacteria use heme, a crucial molecule in supplying cells with energy. The study found that human and bacterial cytochrome c synthases rely on different parts of the cytochrome c to orient themselves, leading to potential targets for new antibiotics.
Researchers identify key protein MavQ that helps Legionella bacteria set up house in human cells, remodeling endoplasmic reticulum to create protective dwellings. This discovery could lead to new treatments for various infections.
Researchers at Penn State discovered a new mechanism for terminating transcription of DNA into RNA in bacteria, facilitated by proteins NusG and NusA. The study found that these proteins together facilitate termination at about 88% of intrinsic terminators, expanding our understanding of gene regulation and potential antibiotic targets.
A new protein analysis tool, called BGIS, can quickly assess protein function with no special equipment needed. This breakthrough could accelerate basic science and medical discoveries by identifying proteins' functions and regulating their activities.
Researchers found a link between specific gut bacteria species and physical manifestations of neurodegenerative diseases. The study showed that introducing certain bacteria into worms caused protein aggregation, a common symptom of these conditions. This finding may help explain the connection between gut bacteria and neurodegeneration.
A team of scientists has identified a protein called SYFO1, which plays a crucial role in the initial contact between legume roots and symbiotic bacteria. The protein causes root hairs to change direction, allowing them to wrap around bacteria and form beneficial relationships.
New Army-funded synthetic biology research has enabled the manipulation of micro-compartments in cells, potentially leading to breakthroughs in bio-manufacturing. The study could inform new ways to design medicine, synthetic cells and nano-reactors for nanotechnology applications.
Researchers developed nanobodies that target a protein making Ehrlichia chaffeensis bacteria infectious. In mice experiments, the treatment showed significantly lower levels of bacteria two weeks after infection.
A team of scientists at the University of Freiburg has developed a new optogenetic tool called BLADE that allows for controlled expression of genes in Escherichia coli using blue light. This breakthrough simplifies biotechnology methods and enables targeted protein production and signaling process studies.
A new research chair led by INRS Professor Monique Lacroix aims to develop standardized natural antimicrobial solutions for ensuring food safety and quality. The project will investigate the stability, interactions, and applications of various natural extracts and bio-based technologies.
Researchers created a platform that can develop effective peptide nucleic acid therapies against bacteria in just one week. The Facile Accelerated Specific Therapeutic (FAST) platform enables speedy identification and testing of molecules targeting new mechanisms in pathogens.
University of Michigan researchers observe RNA regulating protein synthesis in bacteria through transcription-translation coupling. The study reveals the unique mechanism allows for synchronized processes, enabling bacteria to adapt to external threats.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have developed a novel method to activate and visualize protein channels in bacteria, shedding light on their function. The findings offer potential new avenues for designing antibiotic drugs that target these channels, which are essential for bacterial survival.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have discovered a novel protein transport system in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, allowing the release of its toxin, tuberculosis necrotizing toxin (TNT), into human macrophages. The study reveals that two small Esx proteins form pores in membranes to facilitate TNT secretion.
The Mfd protein's dual role in repairing bacterial DNA and promoting mutations has been discovered, offering new avenues for fighting antibiotic resistance. This phenomenon could also lead to a better understanding of cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy.
A study led by McMaster University identified adherent-invasive E-coli (AIEC) as a strong potential trigger for Crohn's disease. AIEC bacteria are often found in the intestines of people with Crohn's, and research suggests that they can cause the condition by allowing them to freely colonize the gut lining.
Researchers discovered that Streptococcus pyogenes can use arginine to survive on the skin surface. This knowledge could lead to new treatment strategies by blocking arginine metabolism in the bacteria.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered a protein that could block Campylobacter, a leading cause of food poisoning. The secreted protein, CiaD, facilitates cell entry and takes control of important cell processes. This breakthrough could lead to real-world solutions for preventing Campylobacter-related diseases.
Researchers at Skoltech have discovered new gene clusters that employ a 'Trojan horse' strategy to kill bacterial cells by preventing protein synthesis. These findings suggest the possibility of developing novel antimicrobial agents, which could be used to combat pathogenic bacteria.
A new antibiotic compound targets a molecular pathway found in bacteria but not humans, clearing infection of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea in mice with a single oral dose. The research team developed the compound through iterative optimization and testing, demonstrating its potential as a single-dose therapy for gonorrhea.
Research on E. coli bacteria reveals that higher translation error rates lead to increased phenotypic variability at the single-cell level, affecting cell length and division time. However, population-level growth parameters show inconsistent correlations with mistranslation levels, highlighting the need for further investigation.
Pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella can rapidly adapt their injection apparatus to varying digestive tract conditions. This dynamic behavior allows them to quickly respond to environmental changes, preventing misfiring and potentially activating the host's immune response.
Researchers applied a new method to analyze ancient dental calculus, identifying dairy proteins and bacterial fragments that shed light on ancient diseases. The single-pot solid-phase-enhanced sample preparation (SP3) approach increased the number of unique protein fragments detected.