Articles tagged with Proteins
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
Proteins lose their hydration shell when environment becomes more acidic, a process that had remained unanswered for 50 years. Direct observation of individual water molecules reveals clear rules: certain amino acids bind or release water, leading to stable inner core regardless of pH level.
A recent study identified a new type of β-1,2-glucan-binding protein in bacteria, which binds cyclic β-1,2-glucans and has implications for understanding bacterial interactions with these complex molecules. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing biological pesticides to protect crops from pathogens.
Researchers found biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease that correlated with minor cognitive differences in midlife adults. These biomarkers, measuring tau and amyloid plaque, were associated with a greater chance of cognitive decline, particularly in processing speed and executive function.
Researchers at PolyU have pioneered a method to store digital data using engineered proteins, achieving high storage efficiency and capacity. They overcame challenges of variable amino acid sequences and degraded proteins by designing a protein template, successfully expressing and retrieving data.
A new brain imaging test can detect Alzheimer's disease pathology in twice as many people before symptoms appear. The test uses a new tau PET tracer that identifies more tau-positive cases than the current standard, leading to better decisions about who is on an Alzheimer's trajectory.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati's Center for Advanced Structural Biology have visualized the structure of iRhom1 bound to the ADAM17 enzyme, shedding light on its role in regulating cell surface protein targets. This breakthrough discovery may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers discovered that overproduction of a DNA repair protein creates DNA damage mimicking BRCA mutations, which may respond to targeted treatments. Tumors with high levels of EXO1 protein exhibit characteristics similar to BRCA-mutant cells, suggesting personalized therapies could be effective.
Researchers at UW Medicine Institute for Protein Design and Skape Bio used AI methods to create on-demand molecules that can toggle GPCRs. The approach enables precise control of GPCR signaling in cells, offering new insights into bodily functions and potential medicines for diseases.
Researchers at ISTA uncovered why keratin plays an essential part in embryonic cell movement and organization. Without keratin, the process slows dramatically, leading to tissue collapse and loss of cellular alignment. Keratin helps maintain the structural integrity and cohesion of cells during early development.
Researchers discovered proteins from Pseudomonas syringae bacteria can bind to artificial surfaces, leading to ice formation at higher-than-normal temperatures. This breakthrough enables the development of new applications like deicing, artificial snow, and cryo-medicine.
Researchers discovered that CD4+ immune cells spot and attack the virus in the liver, leading to viral clearance. This finding points to a potential cure for hepatitis B, with therapies designed to activate these immune cells.
A team of researchers has developed a deep learning-based method called DeepAFM to analyze noisy atomic force microscopy (AFM) images and infer protein states. The method produces accurate results, even with background noise and scanning distortions.
Scientists discovered an anti-CRISPR protein that sabotages CRISPR systems in bacteria by jamming the protein assembly line. This discovery reveals a new mechanism of defense against CRISPR-based gene editing.
Researchers discovered over 400 proteins with modified states affecting drug binding, including KRAS and NPC2. PTMs may influence therapy selection and combination, offering new opportunities for targeted treatments. The study could reshape cancer treatment and lead to more effective therapies.
Researchers at University of Leeds discover how platelet myosin is normally kept inactive, but genetic mutations push it out of balance leading to disease. This breakthrough sheds light on the role of platelet myosin in blood clotting and shedding new hope for treating bleeding disorders.
Researchers have discovered that the CCDC6-RET protein can activate itself, accelerating its function and making it a promising target for cancer therapy. The study also reveals a new mechanism of action, where the protein can utilize both ATP and ADP as energy sources.
Researchers at UCSF discovered that single-celled organism Stentor learns through modifying existing proteins with calcium signaling, which is similar to the mechanism used by animal neurons. This finding suggests that learning may be a fundamental feature of life and could have evolved before the emergence of brains.
Researchers at Rice Biotech Launch Pad are developing an encapsulation platform to protect transplanted pancreatic islet cells from immune attack. The approach aims to reduce scarring and inflammation, making it possible for people with Type 1 diabetes to manage their condition without long-term immunosuppression.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a new method to target intrinsically disordered proteins, which are difficult to treat with medication. The approach has shown promise in slowing prostate cancer growth and could lead to new treatments for various diseases.
Researchers discovered that strokes cause a chain reaction within the brain, leading to neuronal cell death. They found that blocking collagen production can prevent this damage and even restore motor function in paralyzed monkeys. The new drug KDS12025 reduces hydrogen peroxide levels and prevents the entire process from being triggered.