Articles tagged with Amino Acids
MIT researchers have created a set of five fundamental parts that can be assembled into various functional devices, including a tiny walking motor. The new system uses 'digital materials' and offers an alternative approach to constructing robots, which could lead to the development of standardized kits for specific tasks.
A dietary supplement called L-serine has been shown to improve the neuronal function of a patient with a mutation associated with atypical Rett syndrome. The study, led by Dr Xavier Altafaj, found that supplementation with L-serine reversed alterations caused by the mutation and improved the patient's motor and communicative abilities.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a faster and more efficient way to build amino acid chains, known as polypeptides. This breakthrough could enable mass production of protein chains used in various industries, including chemistry and biology.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have characterized the structure of BasC, a LAT family member, to understand its function and molecular defects associated with diseases like autism and age-related hearing loss. The study identifies the site where amino acids bind and reveals the mechanism underlying their interaction with cells.
Researchers at EMBL have engineered a membraneless organelle that can build proteins from natural and synthetic amino acids, allowing for detailed study and control of cellular function. The innovation uses phase separation to create a wobbly wall-less organelle with precise tasks.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have made a patent-pending discovery that certain enzymes in roundworms behave differently than in humans, with amino acids potentially playing a key role. The findings advance scientific efforts to develop new pesticides to manage parasitic nematodes and reduce crop damage.
Researchers discovered instances of epistasis, a phenomenon where two changes produce a behavior different from individual changes. This finding could impact future drug delivery and therapeutic strategies by learning the rules of virus scaffold assembly.
Researchers surveyed known enzyme structures and found that active sites often have conflicting instructions, allowing for a balance between stability and functionality. This 'extended frustration' extends beyond the first shell of amino acids, supporting catalytic ability and enabling enzymes to modify target molecules efficiently.
A study published in Toxicology in Vitro found that L-norvaline can make human cells unhealthy and eventually kill them, even at low concentrations. The amino acid is commonly used in body building supplements to boost workouts and aid recovery.
A study by Orygen researchers found that B-vitamin supplements improved concentration skills among participants with first episode psychosis. The results suggest that individuals with elevated homocysteine levels may benefit most from these supplements.
A team of researchers from Kanazawa University has developed a phototriggered modification reaction of a carboxylic acid using an aminocyclopropenone. The resulting ynamine works as a dehydration agent to connect the carboxylic acid and the amine. Under intense light conditions, another isomeric mixture of three ketones was produced.
Researchers at MIT created variants of a wasp venom peptide that are potent against bacteria while nontoxic to human cells. The peptides were designed by analyzing the structure and function of the original molecule, identifying optimal percentages of hydrophobic amino acids and positively charged amino acids.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have identified the proton transfer pathway in [FeFe]-hydrogenases, a crucial step for efficient hydrogen production. The study reveals that amino acids with no function can shut down hydrogenase activity, and provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanism of proton transfer.
Researchers discovered Src activates mTORC1 through amino acid signals, found to be hyperactive in cancer. Src's malfunction leads to continuous signaling for cell growth and cancer progression.
Rutgers researchers discovered a primordial peptide with two types of amino acids and a metal cluster similar to iron-sulfur minerals, suggesting it could have emerged spontaneously on early Earth. The short peptide may have served as a catalyst for life-producing chemistry.
Researchers created a scalable method to produce pure NCAs in less time and space, overcoming limitations of existing Fuchs-Farthing method. The new technique enables on-demand synthesis of NCAs for life-saving drugs and drug carriers.
A team of Boston College chemists has developed a technology to incorporate non-canonical amino acids into proteins made in eukaryotic cells, including humans. The novel strain of E. coli bacteria enables the facile engineering of the bacteria-derived genetic machinery, opening up new ways to probe and engineer protein function.
Scientists found aphids change the quality of plant sap depending on the infested plant part, benefiting from these changes. This 'niche construction' enables aphids to thrive on specific host plants.
Researchers from University of North Carolina and University of Auckland have made a significant advance in resolving the mystery of genetic translation. Their analysis reveals previously hidden rules by which key translational molecules interact, suggesting that simpler ancestors of these molecules worked together at the dawn of life.
Researchers at University of Groningen created a new enzyme with an unnatural amino acid as its active centre, increasing catalysis by almost three orders of magnitude. The enzyme links organic molecules by forming a hydrazone structure, a reaction used in medical biotechnology.
The Anzick site in Montana has been dated to between 12,725 and 12,900 years ago, based on specific amino acid radiocarbon dating of human remains. This confirms the contemporaneity of human remains and Clovis artifacts, resolving long-standing dating issues and providing new insights into early human habitation in North America.
A study reanalyzes ages of human remains found at the Anzick site in Montana, resolving a previously discovered discrepancy between Clovis artifacts and human remains. The analysis suggests that Anzick may be the only known example of burial in the Clovis culture.
Osaka University researchers have developed a practical and environmentally innocuous method for functionalizing multiply substituted amines. Their reductive alkylation approach uses hydrogen directly, generating only water as a byproduct and efficiently synthesizing a wide variety of amines, including amino acids.
Researchers at University of Würzburg develop new technology to redesign enzyme surfaces, increasing efficiency and selectivity in biochemical reactions. The modified enzymes can convert table sugar into a fructose polymer, with potential applications in medicine and the food industry.
A team of researchers has developed a model that simulates protein evolution, revealing how evolving protein components can give rise to dynamic and efficient molecular machines. The model shows that flexibility allows proteins to bind effectively to other molecules.
Researchers have devised a way to rapidly synthesize and screen millions of novel proteins that could be used as drugs against Ebola and other viruses. These 'xenoproteins' offer advantages over naturally occurring proteins, including increased stability and potential for better immune response.
Researchers at ASRC have developed nanomaterials with the ability to mimic some behaviors normally associated with living matter. The materials can be directed to conduct electrical signals and exhibit dynamic properties, such as self-assembling and disassembling in response to chemical signals.
Researchers develop SyMAPS technique to study self-assembling virus shells, which can be used for disease detection, drug delivery and vaccinations. The technique allows testing of nearly 2,600 versions of the protein, providing insight into how mutations change the scaffolding.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified 164 long-lasting brain proteins in mice that outlast neighboring proteins by weeks and months. These stable proteins may play a crucial role in governing long-term memory and learning, as well as loss of memory, in all mammals, including humans.
A new study published in PNAS found that extreme-altitude birds on the Himalayan Plateau and Altiplano plateau evolved similar traits to capture oxygen, despite different molecular blueprints. The study identified multiple ways for closely related species to produce the same functional outcome.
Researchers believe asteroids can reveal what molecules originally existed in our solar system, helping scientists reconstruct the pathway that led to life on Earth. The study of asteroid and meteorite samples provides strong evidence that certain compounds were present before life formed.
Researchers at UNC and Auckland University propose a new 'peptide-RNA' theory, suggesting genetic instructions (nucleic acids) and small proteins (peptides) interacted to form life. The theory contradicts the widely-held 'RNA-world' hypothesis, which states nucleic acids gave rise to life.
Scientists at the University of York discovered that amino nitriles in interstellar ice can trigger the formation of DNA's backbone molecule, 2-deoxy-D-ribose. This research throws doubt on the theory that amino acids formed before DNA.
Researchers at Georgia Tech formed hundreds of possible precursor molecules in the lab and found that depsipeptides formed quickly and abundantly under conditions common on prebiotic Earth. These molecules could have served as a chemical stepping stone, accelerating the birth of long peptides that make up proteins.
Research from the University of Illinois found that soybean meal produced in different countries has varying levels of digestible protein and amino acids. The study suggests that US, Indian, and Brazilian soybean meals have higher concentrations of these nutrients compared to Argentine and Chinese alternatives.
Computational biologists discover that protein variations have a significant impact on cell functions, even in healthy individuals. The study's findings could lead to advances in personalized medicine and better understanding of individual responses to environmental influences.
A study by Osaka University reveals that a single heterodimer of two T1r members can detect a wide range of sweet and savory flavors in humans. The researchers found that the structure of the heterodimer is similar regardless of the amino acid bound, but with varying affinity for each ligand.
Rice University scientists have developed a new technique to label proteins in cells using bio-orthogonal tags, allowing for high spatial and temporal control. The technique uses an engineered switch that only charges tRNA with the tag when prompted, providing a snapshot of total protein synthesis in the cell.
Researchers at University of Illinois conducted a study to calculate protein scores for eight sources of protein derived from both plants and animals. The digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) method was used, which showed all dairy proteins met Food and Agriculture Organization standards as 'excellent/high' quality sources.
Researchers analyze amino acid stability under various extraterrestrial conditions, including temperature, pH, and radiation, to identify potential building blocks of alien life. The study aims to find structural characteristics that lead to higher stability in these conditions.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers engineer an on/off switch into a weakened form of HIV to enhance vaccine safety and effectiveness. The team demonstrates that flipping the switch allows weakened HIV to replicate at a level likely to generate immunity in a host, while also allowing for controlled replication.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the production of bilirubin, a substance responsible for yellowing of the skin in jaundiced patients. By studying the biliverdin reductase enzyme, they discovered that two molecules of biliverdin are used to produce bilirubin.
Researchers at Osaka University used electron cryomicroscopy to study flagellar motors, revealing that small changes in amino acids can significantly impact function. The discovery provides insight into constructing synthetic nanomachines with similar properties.
A new study from Carnegie Institution reveals that plant proteins undergo extensive modification by sugars, similar to animals, but also unique to plants. This process impacts various cellular functions and developmental tasks, such as flower development and responses to specific plant hormones.
University of California Riverside researchers identify amino acid taste receptor Ir76b playing key role in insect identification of umami taste. The discovery sheds light on insect food choice and potential targets for controlling insect populations.
Scientists have developed a new instrument capable of detecting life with unprecedented sensitivity, potentially uncovering signs of life on Mars and other planetary bodies. The method uses capillary electrophoresis to analyze soil or ice samples for specific amino acids that could serve as indicators of biological activity.
Researchers identified a new genetic cause of syndromic autism linked to the SLC7A5 gene, which transports amino acids into the brain. The study found that treating neurological abnormalities in mice with this gene mutation improved behavioral symptoms.
Researchers developed a method to alter plant enzymes, producing new natural compounds with disease-resistance properties and potentially useful as anti-foaming agents or natural sweeteners. This breakthrough could revolutionize the production of complex compounds in the lab.
The Penn Dental team has created a genetic engineering method to improve plant-based medicines by optimizing codons in DNA sequences. This technique resulted in increased protein expression levels, with hemophilia clotting factor five to six times higher and poliovirus protein roughly 26 times higher than native sequences.
A team of neuroscientists studied fruit flies' behavior when deprived of specific nutrients, discovering that their brain mechanisms influence food choices and exploration patterns. The findings suggest individual variability in metabolism and feeding behavior may be linked to physiological and neural characteristics.
Scientists have discovered how ataluren works to treat genetic disorders by allowing the cell's machinery to 'run' over premature stop signs. The drug inserts amino acids similar to those in non-mutated genes, enabling proteins to function normally.
A study has identified D-amino acids as potential biomarkers for predicting chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Elevated levels of D-Serine and D-Asparagine in CKD patients are associated with a higher risk of end-stage kidney disease, highlighting the potential for improved treatment and novel therapy options.
Research shows that pelleting and extrusion increase digestible and metabolizable energy in diets for pigs, regardless of fiber content. Pelleting alone or combining with extrusion provides greater increases in amino acid digestibility, improving energy utilization.
Researchers create synthetic ring teeth proteins with varying repeats to achieve programmable materials with improved strength and flexibility. These self-healing polymers can be tailored for specific properties, such as elasticity and plasticity, making them suitable for various applications in textiles, cosmetics, and medicine.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have devised a new molecule-building method that allows chemists to construct complex molecules starting from carboxylic acids. The method enables the easy synthesis of biologically active compounds, including drugs like Lipitor and Lyrica.
Scientists develop method to produce polymers mimicking proteins' versatility and structure, using triazine-based polymer TZP. The resulting material has non-covalent bonds and side chains arranged in specific positions.
A team of researchers from Purdue University has determined the structure of the Zika virus, revealing insights critical to developing effective antiviral treatments and vaccines. The study identified unique regions in the virus structure that could explain differences in transmission and disease manifestation.
Researchers developed steric trapping method to analyze membrane proteins' folding, showing promise for treating diseases at early stages. The study's findings could lead to medicinal advances in understanding protein structure and function.
Researchers found that fish from different species associate with each other when they share the same food, suggesting a role for chemical cues in group bonding. This study suggests that shared dietary preferences may be a key factor in promoting social learning and information transfer among fish.
A team of Penn researchers discovered a new mechanism linking amino acids to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics. The study found that high levels of certain amino acids can cause fat accumulation in muscles, leading to insulin resistance.