Articles tagged with Cell Surface Receptors
Researchers used X-ray crystallography to visualize the structure of a neurotensin receptor, shedding light on its mechanism. Binding of neurotensin to the receptor triggers critical conformational changes that activate G protein-coupled signaling pathways.
A study by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers found a strong association between high diversity among natural killer cells and increased likelihood of subsequent HIV infection. The findings could lead to the development of blood tests flagging individuals' susceptibility to viral infection.
A team of researchers from the University of Freiburg has discovered how the toxins of Clostridium difficile bacteria enter the interiors of cells. The surface protein LSR receptor is responsible for binding to the CDT toxin, allowing it to penetrate the cell membrane and exert its lethal effect.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has approved 13 new Collaborative Research Centres, focusing on topics such as emotional dynamics, inflammation, and manufacturing processes. These centres will receive approximately $113 million in funding over a four-year period, starting in July 2015.
Researchers have developed a new technology that uses synthetic microRNA switches to purify live human cells with improved efficiency. The method, which involves identifying unique miRNAs for each cell type, shows promise for clinical applications and could lead to more homogeneous cell pools and better cell therapy outcomes.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have revised the theory of how PTEN shuts off growth signals in cells. They found that PTEN proteins travel along microtubule highways to cytoplasmic vesicles containing green signals, which are then pinched off and turned back to red through a process called endocytosis
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered a novel cell signaling pathway that may provide new insights into obesity. The discovery centers on the melanocortin-4 receptor, which plays a key role in regulating appetite, and reveals a molecular mechanism for converting an on-off switch into a rheostat.
A researcher is using a $900,000 grant to resolve the debate on whether G protein-coupled receptors form dimers. He suspects that light transfer between constantly moving receptors may be random and not actual relationships. The study aims to find out how many drug targets are there and if they can help in treating various ailments.
Researchers at UCI have discovered a new role for estrogen receptors on the surface of cells, which collaborate with nuclear receptors to regulate organ development and function. The study has significant implications for understanding estrogen's role in diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and bone disease.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have combined graphene with a painkiller receptor to create an artificial chemical sensor. The device uses electrical responses instead of biochemical ones, allowing it to be read out by a computer. This technology has potential applications in drug development and various diagnostic tests.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center discovered a mechanism by which Staphylococcus aureus bacteria attack and kill off immune cells. The toxin selectively binds to surface receptors on different types of white blood cells, including neutrophils and T-cells.
Researchers identified propofol's binding site on brain cells, paving the way for the development of new anesthetics. The study's findings could lead to safer and more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a three-dimensional image of beta-arrestin1, a protein that regulates GPCRs, revealing a striking difference in its active and inactive states. This finding suggests the presence of a general molecular mechanism controlling the activation of beta-arrestin1.
A mutation in a single amino acid on the thrombopoietin receptor alters its structure, causing permanent activation and leading to certain blood cancers. The tilted coils prevent spontaneous activation of the receptor.
Researchers found that protein erbin is critical to excitement in inhibitory brain cells, enabling them to suppress activity. The discovery sheds new light on schizophrenia and seizures, highlighting the importance of balance between excitation and inhibition.
The Biophysical Society announced the recipients of its international travel grants, fostering interaction between American biophysicists and scientists in financially challenged countries. The award winners presented their research at the 57th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.
Researchers discovered a unique protein bond that enables NMDA receptors to stabilize on the cell surface, increasing communication between brain cells. The scaffolding protein SAP102 binds with GluN2B at two sites, facilitating receptor turnover and preventing debilitating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers have mapped the 3D structure of CXCR1, a protein that detects inflammatory signals and triggers immune responses. The study's findings will enable the development of more precise drug targets and potentially lead to effective cancer treatments.
Researchers have developed a light-sensitive derivative of propofol that can reverse its anesthetic effects. In experiments with tadpoles, the compound was found to be more potent than propofol alone and allowed neurons to regain responsiveness upon exposure to light.
A new method involves molecularly engineering a model synapse to precisely control GABA receptors, which is crucial in brain chemistry. Understanding how these receptors work can lead to creating safer drugs with fewer side effects for disorders like epilepsy and anxiety.
Researchers at EMBL found that 15% of human genes influence the secretory pathway, a complex network for transporting molecules to the cell membrane. This discovery suggests cells have evolved a strategy to adapt to environmental changes.
Biologists identified Wnt signaling pathways that control nerve signal transmission, influencing synapse plasticity and adult brain function. The study found that these molecules also regulate addiction, schizophrenia, and mental disorders.
Researchers at UCI found that blocking an endocannabinoid compound called 2-AG boosts fat burning and leads to weight loss in mice. The study suggests that this natural chemical plays a critical role in energy metabolism, and blocking its production may lead to new treatments for obesity.
Researchers have successfully converted an intrinsically 'blind' receptor molecule into a photoreceptor using molecular genetic techniques. This synthetic construct enables light-controlled activation and may potentially be used to restore sight in patients suffering from certain forms of blindness.
A new method visualizes mechanical forces on cell surfaces in real-time, providing detailed view of forces as they occur. The technique has potential to diagnose and treat diseases related to cellular mechanics.
Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital create a platform approach that incorporates homing receptors onto cell surfaces to target specific tissues. This enables more efficient cell-based therapies by increasing the concentration of cells at target locations in the body.
Researchers found that smell receptors are grouped into distinct sites on the nasal membrane, each engaging most strongly with a particular type of scent. The intensity of reactions is linked to the odor's place on a pleasantness scale, suggesting an organizing principle for our sense of smell.
Structural elements in cells organize the motion of receptors, enabling them to receive signals from other parts of the organism. This discovery could have profound implications for drug development and treating diseases like cancer.
A newly synthesized protein is fragile and requires chaperones for proper folding, which also escort it to its destination and aid in membrane insertion. The researchers identified key components responsible for TA protein sorting, including Get3 ATPase and receptors Get1 and Get2.
Researchers are developing a new class of drugs targeting protein structures within cell membranes to treat autoimmune diseases. The 'membrane mimic' technology could provide a direct view of mechanical movements that take place during cell signalling.
Cedars-Sinai researchers discovered how white blood cells identify invading fungi, using the molecular receptor Dectin-1. This finding sheds light on the immune system's ability to mount a response against pathogens.
Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered a molecular wrecking ball called thorase that regulates the demolition phase of a cycle at synapses, critical for learning and memory. The enzyme's activity can be harnessed to create new treatments for autism, post-traumatic stress, and memory dysfunction.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a cell component that plays a key role in triggering allergic responses to cat dander. The finding could lead to the development of new treatments for allergies and asthma.
Researchers found that cytoskeletal components regulate CD36 protein movement on the cell surface, promoting receptor clustering. This study may lead to a better understanding of receptor organization and its impact on cell signaling, which could aid in the development of new drugs.
A new study reveals that free radicals act as signal substances that increase the heart's contractions with the correct force. Persistent stress can lead to chronic levels of free radicals, potentially contributing to heart failure.
Signaling receptors recycle at a slower rate and in a more regulated manner than other classes of receptors. The researchers identified unique domains called Actin-Stabilized Sequence-dependent Recycling Tubule (ASSERT) domains that provide a scaffold for the receptors, slowing their release from the endosome.
Researchers have identified about a thousand brassinosteroid target genes, revealing molecular links between the steroid and various cellular functions. The study provides the first comprehensive action map for a plant hormone, accelerating basic plant science and crop research.
Addex Pharmaceuticals highlights the power of its allosteric modulation technology platform, presenting data on nine therapeutic programs across various receptor types and therapeutic areas. The company's technology is allowing it to bring a new kind of chemistry to industrial drug discovery efforts, improving productivity in pharmaceu...
A variant of last year's pandemic influenza linked to fatal cases carried a mutation that enabled it to infect a different subset of cells lining the airway, impairing the lungs' clearing mechanism. The study suggests that this mutant virus could have made the illness more severe and fatal.
A study found that women with a genetic variation in their hormone receptor are more likely to have a poor response to FSH during fertility treatment. The abnormal receptor impairs the function of normal receptors, resulting in fewer oocytes produced.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers found that APOE4 interferes with brain cell recycling of surface receptors, increasing Alzheimer's disease risk. The harmful molecule prevents the Reelin-binding receptor from being recycled back to the surface.
A new study challenges existing knowledge about the kinetics of T cell receptors, finding that interactions with potent antigens are short-lived and occur rapidly. The research uses two techniques to analyze receptor-antigen interactions on cell surfaces, revealing a broader dynamic range than previous studies.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered how specific proteins on cell surfaces bind to double-stranded RNA, triggering an immune response. This finding could lead to the development of targeted antiviral therapies with reduced side effects.
Researchers have discovered exactly how one type of New World hemorrhagic fever virus latches onto and infects human cells, offering a much-needed lead toward new treatments. The finding identifies the apical domain of the transferrin receptor as an attractive target for drugs.
Robert J. Lefkowitz, a leading expert on G-protein-coupled receptors, has been awarded the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for his groundbreaking research. His work has led to the development of millions of drugs used to treat various diseases worldwide.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry examined the role of GABA receptors in anxiety disorders, revealing that inserting GABA receptors into neurons in the amygdala increases inhibition and prevents fear extinction. This discovery provides evidence for molecular mechanisms behind cognitive and behavioral therapies.
Researchers have designed probiotics that can bind toxins in the gut, preventing them from interacting with host intestinal cells. These receptor-mimic probiotics offer a promising treatment for diseases such as cholera and traveller's diarrhoea, and may also be used to prevent outbreaks following natural disasters.
Researchers discovered that flexibility in DC-SIGN's neck region allows it to recognize a broader range of pathogens, including Ebola, Dengue fever, and HIV. This flexibility enables the protein to adapt to different target surfaces, maximizing bond strength.
Yale researchers identify a crucial switching station beneath the cell surface for processing signals from outside the cell, describing a key molecular switch that terminates signaling. This discovery portrays a complex system of cellular information processing previously unseen.
Studies present promising findings on preventing age-related hearing loss using antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, research sheds light on the role of brain function in understanding speech and language disorders.
VIB researchers found a way cells can detect nutrients via transceptors, similar to hormone signaling. This discovery offers promising possibilities for treating metabolic diseases by targeting newly discovered receptor proteins.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have found a way to restore vigor to exhausted killer T cells by blocking the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor. This breakthrough may lead to new therapies for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and cancer.
Researchers at Tufts University have discovered how cell surface receptors cooperate to generate immune responses, revealing the importance of integrin VLA-4 in facilitating signal transmission. This understanding is crucial for developing interventions to enhance or inhibit immune responses, particularly in autoimmune diseases.
Researchers have produced molecular chimeras by binding fullerene receptors to a fullerene molecule, forming short chains of linked nanopearls. These aggregates exhibit special binding interactions between electrons, making them promising for efficient optoelectronic components.
Researchers employ a module-based systems theory approach to explore the design principles of signal transduction and transport receptors. The study reveals that endocytosis and other receptor/ligand properties can be described by just a few control parameters, including avidity and consumption.
Researchers discovered that CEACAM6 facilitates adhesion of adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC) bacteria to the intestinal epithelial cells' brush border in patients with Crohn's disease. This adhesion is dependent on CEACAM6 expression, which is increased in Crohn's disease patients after infection.
Carbon nanotubes successfully deliver RNA fragments that shut off genes for HIV-specific receptors on human T-cells. This approach significantly slows down HIV infection by blocking the virus's entry points.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh successfully prevented type 1 diabetes in mice treated with an anti-CD137 antibody. The therapy significantly suppressed the development of diabetes, but did not appear to cure it.
A study published in Nature reveals the structural basis of botulinum toxins' interaction with nerve cells, allowing for improved understanding and potential new treatments for botulism, food poisoning, and nervous system diseases. The discovery could lead to the development of new drugs, vaccines, and antibody therapies.
New research reveals how botulinum toxin attaches to nerve cells, using a similar strategy as locating an airport. The study identifies the exact spot where the toxin binds, allowing for potential anti-toxins and new treatments for paralysis and dystonias.