Articles tagged with Fibrils
Researchers found that collagen fibrils in mammalian tissues become stronger and tougher when repeatedly stretched and relaxed. This discovery has significant implications for understanding tissue mechanics and designing better biocompatible materials for wound healing and tissue growth.
Researchers propose native state is a 'fortunate trap' that prevents spontaneous folding into fibril state, associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The amyloid state is more stable thermodynamically, but kinetic barriers prevent its formation.
Researchers at Drexel University have found that snake skin's unique texture and micro-structure create a distinct friction profile, which can be used to inform the design of textured surfaces. By studying over 350 species of snakes, they have developed a framework for creating 'smart surfaces' with new frictional capabilities.
Researchers used a powerful X-ray laser to analyze amyloid proteins, which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The new method allows for detailed structural analysis of individual amyloid fibrils, enabling scientists to better understand their role in disease development.
Researchers used scanning transmission electron microscopy to reveal a filamentous pattern of long, curved crystals in bone. A previously unknown substructure was discovered: rose-shaped crystals arranged into left-handed helices.
Researchers discovered that larger, more visible SOD1 protein aggregates are protective rather than harmful to neurons. The study suggests that these fibrils could be a solution to reduce toxicity in SOD1-ALS, and finding drugs to promote their formation may help mitigate the disease.
A probe invented at Rice University has identified a specific binding site on the amyloid beta peptide, which is suspected to cause Alzheimer's disease. This discovery could lead to the development of photodynamic therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
A team of researchers has determined the structure of an amyloid fibril with unprecedented resolution, revealing new details on its growth and effect of genetic risk factors. The atomic-level three-dimensional structure displays how Aβ protein molecules are staggered in layers to form protofilaments.
A team of researchers has developed methods to observe and quantify misfolded proteins associated with Parkinson's disease entering neurons. They found that fibrils were actively engulfed by the cell membrane and transported to lysosomes, where most remained for days.
Researchers produced artificial silk fibres with tailored properties by self-assembling nanofibrils formed from cow's whey protein under heat and acid. The fibre's strength depends on the balance between nanostructure and fibril entanglement, with curved nanofibrils forming stronger fibres than straight ones.
Deer antlers' unique structure has been replicated in computer modeling to resist breaking. The staggered arrangement of fibrils allows for energy absorption during impact.
Researchers have made a breakthrough discovery on the formation and dissociation of pathogenic α-synuclein fibrils in Parkinson's disease, providing new insights into its progression. The study shows how high hydrostatic pressure breaks apart these toxic fibrils, shedding light on potential strategies for treating PD.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a versatile method to pattern functionalized nanowires using structure-controllable amyloid peptides. The technique achieved a 67% tandem yield and showed geometrical patterns that can be controlled by adjusting the peptide mix ratio.
Researchers have found that specific mutations in Parkinson's disease protein alpha-synuclein can dramatically affect microscopic processes leading to the condition's onset. The study suggests these tiny changes influence fibril formation and secondary nucleation, potentially contributing to the disease's development.
α-synuclein aggregates are transported between neurons via lysosomal vesicles in tunneling nanotubes, enabling Parkinson's disease progression. This discovery highlights the role of tunneling nanotubes in intercellular communication and lysosome-mediated protein disposal.
A European and US research team has successfully determined the structure of the most disease-relevant beta-amyloid peptide 1–42 fibrils at atomic resolution. The findings simplify the targeted search for drugs to treat Alzheimer's dementia, offering hope for a potential cure in the next decade.
Researchers at University of Cambridge identify mechanism behind rapid protein build-up in Alzheimer's disease, finding healthy proteins on fibrils drive self-replication. This discovery may lead to new ways to control plaque formation and slow disease progression.
A new study reveals that altering the amyloid beta protein by changing one amino acid creates an intermediate form with enhanced toxicity. This discovery provides a promising tool for investigating the neurotoxic effects of amyloid beta oligomers and could lead to new targets for drug development efforts.
Chemists at the University of Illinois have identified the complex chemical structure of alpha-synuclein, a protein that forms long fibrils in the brains of Parkinson's disease patients. This knowledge will help researchers identify specific targets for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have discovered a critical change in amyloid beta protein shape that explains why smaller bundles are more toxic than larger ones. This understanding may lead to developing drugs to treat diseases like Parkinson's and Type-II diabetes.
Researchers have developed a novel 4D printing method inspired by natural structures like plants, which respond and change their form over time. The new technique enables the creation of transformable architectures with precise, localized swelling behaviors.
Researchers at MSU have discovered the mechanisms of self-organization in living cells, revealing the role of topologically associated domains (TADs) in compacting DNA into three-dimensional structures. This knowledge may lead to new approaches for understanding and treating diseases related to gene regulation.
Researchers at TUM have identified how small heat shock proteins interact with other proteins in Alzheimer's disease. They found that these proteins can bind to both amorphous and amyloid forms of beta-amyloid, preventing clumping and potentially developing new agents.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a mechanism underlying the formation of stress granules in cells under stress, which are linked to degenerative diseases such as ALS. The study reveals that mutations in proteins involved in stress granule assembly can lead to toxic fibrils and disease progression.
Researchers developed two methods to target HIV in semen, using a heat shock protein to break up amyloid fibrils and a small molecule called CLR01 to disrupt fibril formation and disassemble existing ones. These approaches may reduce HIV transmission and have potential for treating other diseases.
A team of researchers identified four mechanisms in collagen that work together to reduce stress concentrations at the tip of a tear. These mechanisms - rotation, straightening, stretching, and sliding - can be replicated in synthetic materials to improve strength and resistance to tearing.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source observed the micro-scale mechanisms behind skin's remarkable tear resistance. The study identified four synergistic mechanisms in collagen that act to diminish stress concentrations associated with tears.
Research found that brain amyloid stimulates pancreas fibril growth and vice versa, raising hopes for understanding the connection between AD and T2D. Islet amyloid peptide, derived from pancreatic cells, is also present in human brain senile plaques.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute discovered that removing water from collagen fibers dramatically increases their tensile forces, generating up to 300 times more force than human muscles. This finding suggests a more active role for collagen in living organisms and opens new possibilities for developing novel materials.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a peptide in semen that enhances HIV infection by up to 10,000 times. The findings suggest that healthy epithelial cells are resistant to the toxicity of these protein enhancers.
Researchers have developed a method using DNA origami to turn one-dimensional nano materials into two dimensions, enabling the creation of any number of shapes. The breakthrough offers potential to enhance fiber optics and electronic devices by reducing size and increasing speed.
A Swedish-German research team has developed a new method for producing ultra-strong cellulose fibers, with filaments stronger than aluminum and steel per weight. The fibers are created through hydrodynamic alignment and assembly of nano-fibrils, making them biodegradable and compatible with human tissue.
Oligomers are identified as the enemy that kills nerve cells and causes symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The study reveals two types of oligomers with different degrees of flexibility, which can link up to inhibit fibril formation.
A team of researchers has pinpointed a critical intermediate step in the chemical pathway that leads to amyloid fibril formation, which is implicated in type 2 diabetes and other diseases. The findings provide a new target for potential treatment, such as designing an inhibitor drug to block the harmful pathway.
A new infrared spectroscopy technique called nano-FTIR has enabled researchers to map the secondary structure of proteins on the nanometer scale. The technique, which combines scanning near-field optical microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy, allows for nanoscale-resolved protein spectroscopy and identification of single protein complexes w...
Researchers at Jefferson Orthopedics have developed a potential treatment for post-traumatic joint stiffness in military personnel, using an antibody that curtails collagen fibril production. The study aims to reduce joint stiffness and prevent osteoarthritis in soldiers who sustain traumatic injuries.
Researchers have identified distinct molecular structures of beta-amyloid fibrils in Alzheimer's disease brains, which correlate with individual patient outcomes. These findings hold promise for developing patient-specific diagnostic imaging agents and treatments tailored to specific fibril structures.
A team of researchers at Lund University has identified the molecular mechanism behind the formation of Alzheimer's disease-causing plaques. The discovery reveals a self-perpetuating and autocatalytic process that creates cell-killing formations, potentially paving the way for new treatments targeting early stages of the disease.
Recent studies from Stanford University School of Medicine have found that small portions of amyloid-forming proteins can alleviate symptoms in mice with multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests a radical new idea: full-length, amyloid-forming proteins may be produced by the body as protective forces.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine developed a new animal model that replicates the transmission of tau pathology, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study demonstrates that synthetic tau fibrils can induce authentic neurofibrillary tangles and initiate disease progression in mice.
Research reveals that the amount of protein in solution determines the formation of fibrils, which can lead to cell death. Developing treatments for diseases caused by protein aggregation is a possibility with this new knowledge.
Researchers at UCSB used computer simulations to understand the formation of toxic entities in the brain, finding that small oligomer molecules may be responsible for the onset of the disease. These findings suggest new diagnostic and treatment options, including peptide-based inhibitors.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have discovered protein fragments in semen that enhance HIV's ability to infect new cells. Removing these components from semen diminishes HIV's infection potential, suggesting a new approach to preventing transmission.
The study found an enzyme called 3D which forms fibrous structures during viral replication. A molecule to prevent this formation has been identified, providing a new avenue for exploration and potentially leading to a treatment for foot-and-mouth disease.
Research suggests that diseased brain proteins can be taken up by healthy neurons and propagated within them, leading to neurodegeneration. Alpha-synuclein fibrils have been shown to induce the formation of Lewy bodies, hallmark lesions of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have identified an antibiotic that can prevent the formation of amyloid fibrils in proteins. The discovery could lead to new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Type II diabetes.
Researchers found that SUMO proteins can hinder the formation of insoluble protein clusters, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that sumoylation, the process by which SUMO molecules attach to alpha-synuclein, may play a role in preventing protein aggregation.
Recent research found that zinc acts like a security guard to prevent amylin from forming harmful clumps. In healthy individuals with normal zinc levels, amylin helps regulate blood sugar, but in zinc-starved environments, it forms toxic aggregates.
Researchers have discovered that proteins in Alzheimer's fibrils can recycle and detach, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies. The study found that Aβ40 molecules recycle more frequently than Aβ42, suggesting a potential target for modulating recycling and treating the disease.
A team at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology found that tiny pieces of a protein called tenascin-C can bind to specific sites on another protein, helping to construct tissue. These small domains may help stop uncontrolled matrix deposition in conditions like fibrosis, making them potential tools for controlling diseases.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered the weakest link in tendons, a crucial connection between bones and muscles. The discovery focuses on collagen fibrils, which are five times stronger than tendons but may hold the key to increasing flexibility and healing damage.
Researchers have discovered changes in the collagen component of bone that directly relate to bone health. The study uses atomic force microscopy to measure key features of collagen fibrils and found that normal bone contains a distribution of collagen fibril spacings, whereas diseased bone has a different spacing distribution.
A $2.2 million NIH grant will enhance the lab's ability to rapidly detect protein clumps in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases using a new high-resolution electron microscope. This technology will also enable researchers to study molecular motors in flagella, leading to a better understanding of these diseases.
A team at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a new class of drug-like inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease, specifically targeting tau protein clumping. The discovery, using a large NIH library, reveals 285 compounds with potential interest and focuses on ATPZs that effectively block fibril formation.
Scientists from Brandeis University and the Leibniz Institut have created a 3D image of an Alzheimer's peptide aggregate using electron microscopy. The study reveals the spaghetti-like structure of A-beta peptide aggregates, also known as amyloid fibrils.
Scientists have identified a crucial portion of a protein responsible for hereditary cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a disease linked to stroke and dementia. The study used solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to reveal the structure of CAA fibrils, which form plaques in blood vessels in the brain.
Researchers found that transferrin protein aggregates into wormlike fibrils, releasing rust-like iron particles. These particles may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases by forming toxic free radicals and destroying nerve cells.
Researchers found that transferrin can assemble into worm-like fibrils when dried, exposing iron and potentially causing cell damage. This process may be linked to the deposition of iron in the brain and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's.
New research by University of Illinois at Chicago chemists identifies intermediate step in amyloid plaque formation as a toxic culprit. Tiny spheres averaging 20 nanometers assemble into sheet-like structures comparable to fibrils, making them more than 10 times poisonous.
New research from MIT reveals a unified explanation for bone's toughness, incorporating several previously proposed theories. The study finds that bone's atomistic structure plays a crucial role in a toughening mechanism that allows it to tolerate small cracks and maintain its strength.