Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have uncovered how the Sonic Hedgehog protein manages its own cytoneme assembly to create a signaling highway. This discovery reveals a bespoke highway connecting cells during embryonic development, with potential implications for developmental disorders and cancer.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research used an AI tool to screen 1,100 human mitochondrial proteins for likely interactions, revealing nearly 2,900 new pairs. The study provides clues about the functions of mystery mitochondrial proteins and their roles in human diseases.
A new smart packaging film, developed by researchers at Kyushu University, uses color changes and fluorescence to monitor freshness in refrigerated meat. The film responds to compounds released during spoilage, providing two ways to track changes in food quality.
A research team identified a signaling pathway involving AQP4, TRPA1, BEST1, and D-serine that helps maintain neuronal activity and cerebral blood-volume responses during prolonged sensory stimulation. Astrocytes release D-serine, which supports neuronal activity and contributes to dilation of brain blood vessels.
Scientists have developed light-activated cages called RuPHOTACs that can selectively activate protein-degrading molecules, reducing unwanted side effects. The technology, inspired by molecular 'beach balls,' could lead to more precise treatments for diseases like cancer.
A team of scientists from Waseda University has engineered ancestral nucleoside diphosphate kinase variants with restricted amino acid repertoires to explore alternative catalytic functions. One variant, Arc1-12KR, unexpectedly converted two ADP molecules into ATP and AMP, revealing a new catalytic pathway.
A recent study on moths, led by Andrei Sourakov, found that adding sulfated polysaccharides can drastically alter wing patterns and shape in luna and polyphemus moths. This supports the molecular cookie cutter idea, suggesting that wings evolved independently of each other and can change rapidly through genetic adjustments.
Researchers have engineered CAR-T cells that target brain tissue, allowing them to selectively destroy tumor cells in pediatric brain cancer DMG. The new therapy, B-SYNC CAR-T, has shown promise in laboratory tests, with the cells persisting and fighting cancer for over 70 days.
A team led by Professor Mo Khalil is creating small protein-based tools called nanobodies to alter protein activity and study disease mechanisms. These nanobodies will enable large-scale experiments to understand how protein changes lead to different disease states.
A new open-source software package called PFclassify enables researchers to classify and quantify unprocessed and processed meats into separate subtypes, providing more accurate nutrition data. This gives scientists a standardized workflow to examine meat subtype-specific dietary intake, supporting more transparent and higher quality d...
Researchers used palaeoproteomics to analyze ancient proteins in sediments from a 60,000-year-old archeological site in South Africa, revealing the presence of collagen from the common eland. The findings provide new insights into the complex technical and symbolic behaviors of early Homo sapiens.
Researchers have developed an optogenetic switch to control G protein signaling in excitable cells, providing a potential therapeutic tool to restore cellular excitability and alleviate symptoms of mood disorders and epilepsy. The system uses light-activated GPCRs to activate GIRK channels, suppressing cellular activity and offering ne...
A new study by uOttawa-led researchers reveals how a specialized protein helps cells safeguard their genetic material. The study shows that chemical changes to a histone variant regulate interactions with the TONSL protein, which plays a crucial role in repairing damaged DNA.
Researchers discovered a protein called Miro1 linked to insulin resistance in muscle, offering a potential new target for future diabetes treatments. Removing Miro1 restored muscle response to insulin in preclinical models, while exercise reduced protein levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
A new study reveals how RNA molecules, particularly lncRNA Gas5, influence the development of aggressive leukemia by forming biomolecular condensates. The research identifies several long non-coding RNAs associated with these structures and shows that Gas5 plays a key role in leukemia cell proliferation.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, are testing a novel protein-based therapy to correct abnormal brain activity in Fragile X syndrome. The therapy, developed by Bowen's FX Therapeutics, aims to restore normal brain function in individuals with the disorder.
A new study suggests that therapeutic food made from locally available crops like chickpeas, sorghum, and soybeans could help expand access to lifesaving nutrition care. The plant-based formulation supported better recovery from malnutrition than commercial products, with higher protein content and quality.
Tony Hunter, PhD, receives the 2026 Albany Prize for his identification of tyrosine phosphorylation, a molecular switch that has been targeted to create over 100 cancer drugs. This discovery has saved millions of lives worldwide and transformed cancer biology and treatment.
New research on Acanthamoeba's mitochondrial metabolism could lead to safer, more effective treatments for eye and brain infections. The study's findings suggest that understanding the amoeba's biochemistry could help develop novel drugs targeting unique proteins involved in building cyst walls.
A new study reveals that linker histone H1 initially flits around inside a cell without a clear aim, until a chaperone protein escorts it to its target, the nucleosome. This finding sheds light on how H1 regulates gene expression and compacts DNA, and could lead to new therapies for diseases.
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...
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.
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.
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.