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A team from the Universitat Jaume I formulates a biostimulant composition that protects crops from adverse conditions and improves harvest yields

A team from Universitat Jaume I creates a biostimulant composition using proline particles encapsulated in silica, enhancing plant tolerance to drought, high temperatures and salinity. The new compound's production process is scalable, cost-effective and reproducible, with potential for industrial-level application.

A ribosomal traffic jam that breaks the heart

Researchers found that a mutation in RPL3L, expressed only in heart and skeletal muscle, leads to impaired cardiac contractility by causing ribosomal collisions and protein folding abnormalities. The study aims to develop new treatments for cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2023

Cell tissue must not freeze!

Researchers have introduced polyproline as an effective cryoprotectant for monolayers of cells, doubling cell recovery after freezing compared to dimethyl sulfoxide. The proline/polyproline combination minimizes solvent exposure and retains cell functions.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 6, 2017

Designing new molecular tools to study the life and death of a cancer cell

Research team designed synthetic molecules to study proline residue's role in cancer cell apoptosis by XIAP protein. The results suggest that these tetrapeptide analogs can be further developed into new molecular tools to analyze protein-protein interactions and signal transduction pathways of XIAP in cancer cells.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology and Medicine·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateFeb 15, 2011

When proteins change partners

The study reveals that Fbox proteins alternate between attaching to and being kicked off CRL1 by competing protein CAND1. This process is stabilized by the phosphorylated substrate N8, allowing for efficient degradation of aberrant proteins. The research highlights the importance of the proline residue in Fbox protein-CRL1 interaction.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalMolecular Cell·DateSep 11, 2009

Stretchy spider silks can be springs or rubber

Spider silk exhibits different mechanical properties based on its amino acid composition, with proline-rich silks behaving like rubber bands and low-proline silks acting as rigid springs. The presence of proline affects the silk's hydration level, causing some silks to shrink and swell more than others.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 30, 2008