Articles tagged with Proteins
Researchers have identified a promising new therapeutic target, MAP4K4, and developed an experimental compound, GPPD, that reduces fat buildup, inflammation, and scarring in preclinical models. The therapy has shown encouraging safety and efficacy in preclinical testing, offering a potential new treatment option for patients with metab...
Researchers at Kyoto University investigated the effects of high-temperature-treated soy protein on mice, revealing decreased amino acid levels and altered social novelty behavior. The study suggests that severe protein heating can negatively impact nutritional availability and physiological responses.
Scientists at Salk Institute create first microprotein atlas of human frontal cortex with and without Alzheimer's disease, identifying 1,067 new microproteins and a potential link to immune cell dysfunction in Alzheimer's. The atlas provides a system for investigating microproteins in aging and neurodegeneration, bringing scientists cl...
Research identifies MLKL as a protein that helps drive liver cancer associated with obesity-related fatty liver disease by reducing mitochondrial function, promoting tumor development. Removing MLKL reduces liver tumors but not fatty liver or liver inflammation, suggesting a new therapeutic target for liver cancer treatment
Researchers explore activating SLC transporters to treat brain disorders, including epilepsy, autism, and Alzheimer's, by regulating neurotransmitter and energy balance. Gene therapies also target SLC deficiencies in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Pennington Biomedical researchers propose a new understanding of how protein restriction promotes healthy aging and extends lifespan by triggering a coordinated whole-body response. The response connects cellular nutrient sensing with hormones, brain function, and changes throughout the body, influencing healthy aging and longevity.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago engineered ribosomes to specialize in one protein, introducing a new platform for synthetic biology. The platform, Ribo-M, physically links a ribosome to messenger RNA, enabling efficient production of unusual proteins, therapeutic molecules, and other engineered products.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells with RET mutations produce higher levels of the OPG protein, which disrupts bone renewal and blocks destruction, favoring bone accumulation. Measuring OPG levels via blood tests could identify and monitor patients with aggressive disease.
A new study found that proteins with a certain type of structure are more likely to misfold and be targeted for removal, yet nearly half still evade the cellular maintenance crew. This can disrupt protein production and recycling, potentially contributing to aging and disease.
AdaptiveFlow, an AI-informed platform, can virtually screen billions of drug-like molecules with a 1,000-fold reduction in computational costs. The platform identified potent inhibitors for existing and emerging cancer targets, showcasing its potential as a powerful tool for modern drug discovery.
A study by Goethe University and Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt has found that seminal fluid can facilitate infection of skin cells with the monkeypox virus. The researchers discovered that protein fragments in seminal fluid form fibers that promote attachment of the virus to human cells, increasing the risk of transmission through sexu...
Scientists have found that short peptides can remain stable and fold into shapes that may give them biological functions in highly acidic conditions similar to Venus's cloud layer. This discovery opens up new possibilities for the search for life on planets that don't resemble Earth.
Researchers found that impaired peroxisomal function can increase insulin secretion while promoting insulin oxidation and disrupting pancreatic beta cell maturity. Healthy peroxisomes play a role in protecting insulin from oxidative modification and degradation, and helping beta cells maintain their specialized characteristics.
A clinical trial found that a ketogenic diet significantly improves metabolic health in people with obesity, with 50% of participants no longer meeting the criteria for prediabetes. The diet also showed the greatest improvements in liver health and insulin sensitivity.
Research identifies aberrant ERBB4 expression in excitatory neurons as an early driver of Alzheimer's disease pathologies, including neuronal hyperactivity, synapse loss, and cognitive decline. Manipulating ERBB4 expression in mouse models reveals its role in driving disease features, including reactive gliosis and amyloid buildup.
Researchers from the University of Osaka found that a protein associated with amyloidogenic light chain disease forms amyloid in areas of constrained geometry when subjected to shear stress. This study, published in FEBS Journal, suggests that mechanical pressure and chemical inhibitors may help dissolve amyloids.
Researchers at the University of Turku discovered a molecular mechanism that regulates the spread of aggressive colorectal cancer. The mechanism involves the secretion of mucus onto the surface of tumour spheres, which facilitates their migration and invasion of tissue.
A $2.1 million NIH grant will support research into the primary cilium's functions in protein synthesis and energy production, with implications for neurological disease. The study will investigate the role of primary cilia in embryonic brain development and connect fundamental cell biology with neurological disorders.
Scientists have identified multiple targets for antibodies that could treat Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a deadly virus spread by ticks. The research found that antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid protein offer protection against the virus, regardless of strain, and could lead to the development of new treatments.
Researchers at the University of Basel challenge the decades-old assumption that coronin proteins primarily regulate the cytoskeleton. Instead, they found that coronins are largely dispensable for cytoskeleton organization, while exhibiting additional roles in cell signaling.
Researchers at MIT have created a new microscope that can image electrical activity in neurons distributed across the brain, revealing patterns of neural activity from milliseconds. The technique enabled observation of single voltage spikes and rapid bursts of spikes, shedding light on how the brain is activated following a stimulus.
Researchers found that ultraviolet irradiation and ozonation increased anti-androgenic activity in treated wastewater, exceeding an effect-based risk threshold. The study suggests balancing pollutant removal efficiency with assessment of transformation products' combined biological effects.
A Cornell University-led research group has devised a strategy for capturing cancer-specific protein-to-protein interactions using a photochemically driven labeling technique. They identified SLK as a driver of cancer in certain contexts, which can be co-opted by cancerous cells to drive growth.
A new study found that the majority of veterans with low-risk prostate cancer pursued active surveillance in 2024, up from 27% in 2005. The study followed over 73,000 veterans and showed similar survival outcomes for surveillance compared to treatment.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have uncovered how the liver's internal clock coordinates the release of proteins that regulate metabolism. The findings suggest that understanding this internal clock could help guide future research on metabolic disease and inform optimal timing for meals and medication.
Researchers developed a multiprotein approach to predict advanced tau pathology among amyloid-positive individuals, outperforming p-tau217 alone. This study suggests a scalable alternative to tau PET staging for clinical or research settings.
Researchers developed an enriched tomato ketchup by incorporating protein extracted from algae, which retained the sweet, tangy taste and reddish appearance of traditional ketchup. The samples with 3% added algal extract contained two to three times more protein, essential amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants.
Researchers found that people with well-controlled HIV have more fibrosis in their fat tissues, leading to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The study also identified a blood marker of scarred fat, which may help predict metabolic future for individuals with HIV.
Researchers found that IVMT-Rx-4 selectively blocks the function of the MDA-9/Syntenin protein, limiting tumor growth and eliminating therapy resistance in preclinical cancer models. The study suggests a new targeted treatment option for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
A recent review suggests that consuming less protein could have greater health benefits and potentially extend lifespan. The review highlights the role of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in slowing aging by improving metabolism, reducing cellular damage, and preserving healthy cell function.
A new review reveals that heme converts tiny chemical changes into larger biological responses, regulating functions from microbial metabolism to mammalian signaling. Labile heme, a small and dynamic fraction of heme, plays a crucial role in this process, allowing for finely tuned sensitivity to environmental conditions.
Combining cemiplimab, fianlimab, and paclitaxel-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved pathologic complete response rates in high-risk -negative breast cancer. Patients with the ImPrint immune signature showed enhanced sensitivity to the combination.
Research reveals Golgi complex is involved in DNA repair control, regulating protein recruitment and localization to the nucleus. The study suggests a global process of DNA repair coordinated across the cell, with organelles like the Golgi controlling it.
High LDL-C led to 3.6 million deaths and 90.7 million disability-adjusted life years in 2023, despite declining mortality rates. The absolute burden increased due to population growth and aging, with regional disparities emerging.
Researchers discovered a lipid regulator, arachidonic acid, boosts Smoothened activity through a newly found binding site, enhancing SHH signaling in tissues like the heart and lungs. Disrupting this interaction impaired cardiopulmonary development, providing insight into how the SHH pathway may be modulated in diseases.
Researchers at Nagoya University discovered that complement C3 protein acts inside tumors to prevent immunosuppressive cells, improving cancer immunotherapy effectiveness. Higher levels of C3 in tumor tissue were associated with better treatment outcomes and survival rates in patients.
A UNIGE study shows that a slight overproduction of tubulin, essential for cell structure, can disrupt tissue architecture and reduce cell viability. Microtubules play a dynamic role in adapting to the cell's changing needs, and excess tubulin makes them abnormally stable.
A new study published in Nature Communications finds that a protein called saxiphilin can neutralize the potent neurotoxin saxitoxin, preventing and even reversing paralytic shellfish poisoning. The discovery could have important public health implications as saxitoxin accumulates in shellfish and causes poisoning when consumed.
Scientists have unveiled a new structure of the kinesin-1 protein, showing how cells control its on-off switch. The discovery could shed light on incurable neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2.
Researchers identified a key driver of liver fibrosis progression: FSP1+ macrophages that activate PGK1 through lactylation. This self-reinforcing loop amplifies glycolytic signaling, promoting liver fibrosis. A cell penetrating peptide targeting PGK1 lactylation blocks fibrosis progression in preclinical models.
BetaDescribe, an AI system, converts protein sequences into detailed textual descriptions of their functions and characteristics. The technology helps bridge the gap between characterized and existing proteins in nature, enabling researchers to rapidly generate evidence-based hypotheses regarding unknown proteins.
Researchers have developed custom-designed proteins called WRAPs that can surround membrane proteins, shielding their hydrophobic surfaces and allowing them to remain soluble in water. This breakthrough enables the study of previously inaccessible membrane proteins, such as those found in syphilis bacteria.
Scientists discovered a protein secreted by deep-sea extremophile Pyrodictium abyssi that self-assembles into a highly stable biofilm. This discovery opens new avenues for biomedical research and could lead to breakthroughs in wound dressing, medical device coatings, and tissue engineering.
Researchers at University of California San Diego have developed a large-scale screening approach that identifies proteins controlling alternative polyadenylation (APA), a fundamental step in gene expression. The study reveals 63 high-confidence activators of poly(A) site usage, including seven new regulators previously unknown.
Researchers at Texas A&M University develop a laser technique called TRIP to directly measure quantum forces shaping proteins, enabling accurate prediction of how pharmaceutical drugs interact with them. This breakthrough could lead to the design of medicines tailored to specific diseases, revolutionizing precision medicine.
Scientists from Dresden have developed new proteins that emit fluorescence in the near-infrared and short-wave infrared ranges, allowing for high sensitivity visualization of biological structures. This breakthrough enables deeper tissue imaging and could aid in studying disease mechanisms and therapeutic effects.
Researchers seek to understand the biological mechanisms behind Ewing sarcoma's rapid growth and spread, developing new tools to visualize DNA structures and regulate gene expression. This could lead to personalized cancer treatments targeting specific molecules for improved patient outcomes.
Researchers have uncovered the molecular 'gate' for bulky cargo in bacteria, allowing it to safely transport large proteins across cell membranes. The Tat system, essential for metabolism and virulence, may serve as a potential target for antimicrobial interventions.
A brain enzyme has been found to build polysialic acid chains on itself, regulating its own activity. The sugar chain acts as a switch, suppressing the enzyme's function when attached. Once removed, the enzyme reactivates outside the cell, offering a new mechanism for regulation and repair.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that restored normal brain activity and improved behavior in mice with Fragile X syndrome by replacing the missing FMRP protein. The treatment administered during early development showed significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, social interactions, and probabilistic reversal learning.
Researchers discovered a single amino acid change that allows coronaviruses to interact with human and bat immune systems differently, shifting the body's response to infection. This alteration enables benign animal viruses to adapt to humans and cause severe disease.
Researchers at Biohub and UC Berkeley have developed a laser phase plate that dramatically improves contrast in cryo-electron microscopy images, allowing scientists to see small molecules and interactions within human cells. The device uses a laser 100 million times brighter than the Sun and is expected to revolutionize structural cell...
Researchers have uncovered the structural basis of Argonaute assembly, revealing that chaperone proteins hold it in an open conformation allowing miRNA loading. The study also found that RNA plays a key role in guiding Argonaute folding.
A groundbreaking study identifies a direct energy route between mitochondria and the nucleus, supporting gene regulation, chromatin remodeling, and cell differentiation. The finding challenges traditional assumptions about energy transfer in cells and has significant implications for understanding health and disease.
Researchers identified a promising new strategy for reversing autism-related brain deficits by targeting a specific glycine transporter. The therapy restored NMDA receptor function in mouse models and human brain organoids, improving behavioral abnormalities such as social interaction and repetitive behaviors.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University have identified a key immune pathway that appears to drive damaging inflammation in Huntington disease. Blocking this pathway reduced brain inflammation, protected neurons, and improved movement in a humanized mouse model of the disease.
A new paper by over 20 protein experts examines widely held propositions about dietary protein, concluding that some science is insufficient or not robust enough to support certain claims. Key findings include the importance of protein quality, individual essential amino acids, and nuance in high-protein intake during weight loss.
Researchers have discovered a key protein, Mylpf, essential for fast-twitch muscle fibers to form and contract. The study found that even partial reduction in Mylpf function can hinder muscle formation, leading to diseases like muscular dystrophy.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have created a novel method for cultivating meat using plant-derived cellulose scaffolds. This approach significantly reduces production costs by infusing growth factors directly into the scaffold, allowing for comparable tissue development with lower factor usage.
A new model predicts retinal degeneration in diabetics based on 71 plasma proteins. The Pro-DRN model can help doctors identify patients at risk earlier, potentially preventing neurodegeneration and vision loss.