Articles tagged with Proteins
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Researchers found that Adgrl2 plays a crucial role in building both brain synapses and blood vessels, with different cell types producing distinct versions of the protein. Removing Adgrl2 from endothelial cells caused blood vessels to become leaky and lose their integrity.
Researchers used LP-TEM to visualize the dynamic processes occurring during early stages of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in intrinsically disordered proteins/regions. The study provides compelling evidence supporting a non-classical nucleation mechanism and proposes a multi-step process for LLPS, which is common in IDPs/IDRs.
A new freeze-dried blood product called Thrombosomes has shown promise in treating traumatic brain injuries by reducing swelling and bleeding. The product, derived from platelets with trehalose preservation, has been tested on mice and found to be effective in stabilizing damaged blood vessels.
A new study found that every type of epigenome protein produces a distinct pattern of gene expression, surpassing the on/off switch functionality. This discovery has significant implications for cellular engineering, enabling more dynamic control over cellular behavior and potential applications in biomanufacturing and bioproduction.
Researchers developed a machine-learning model to predict protease behavior, enabling more precise and effective treatments. The ProSSpeC calculator suggests engineered synthetic proteases that outperform widely used enzymes.
A new Cochrane review of 17 clinical trials found that anti-amyloid Alzheimer's drugs have no significant impact on cognitive decline or dementia severity, but may increase the risk of brain swelling and bleeding. The evidence suggests that these drugs are unlikely to provide clear benefit to patients.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new approach called Sequence Display that generates large-scale sequence-activity datasets for rapid protein evolution. This method enables the creation of accurate machine learning models to predict protein function optimization, overcoming the bottleneck of insufficient experimental data.
Researchers at the University of Groningen discovered that protein clustering in cells leads to reduced movement and improved efficiency in amino acid production. This finding has practical implications for designing efficient cell factories and increasing substance production inside cells.
Researchers discovered multiple molecular subtypes of kinesin-2 with distinct compositions and functions, including a KIF3B/B/KAP3 complex that preferentially associates with TRIM46 and facilitates its transport to the AIS. This study provides insights into how neurons regulate cargo delivery with specificity.
Researchers at Scripps Research create a nanodisc platform that preserves key parts of viral surface proteins, allowing for better understanding of antibody interactions. This approach can be applied to other viruses with similar membrane-embedded proteins, such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
A new study by POSTECH researchers found that the protein tau interacts with DNA during cell division, forming condensates that capture microtubules. This interaction affects chromosome alignment and can lead to cellular abnormalities even in healthy cells.
Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a suite of AI-powered tools, called YuelDesign, YuelPocket and YuelBond, to transform how new drugs are created. These tools can design drug molecules tailored to fit their protein targets exactly, even accounting for protein flexibility.
A real-world study found that adults taking GLP-1 RAs for weight loss have significantly lower total energy and protein intake. The use of an AI-powered nutritional tracking app revealed that 88% of users were under national protein guidelines, with many skipping meals to reduce protein intake.
The review highlights LRRK2's diverse cellular functions and pathogenic mechanisms in various diseases, including Parkinson's disease and inflammatory disorders. Therapeutic strategies targeting LRRK2, such as kinase inhibitors and emerging approaches like PROTACs and gene therapy, show promise for correcting cellular imbalances and re...
Researchers at OHSU have discovered a previously unknown system of internal 'trade winds' that help cells rapidly move essential proteins to the front of the cell. This breakthrough reveals that cells don't rely on random diffusion but instead create targeted streams of fluid to push proteins forward.
A large-scale computational study found that point-of-origin effects significantly influence protein diversification, with relatively small divergence seen from ancestral proteins. The research reinforces existing theories on initial protein formation and highlights the limitations of modern AI protein design methods.
Researchers at the University of Reading developed a new method to produce whey protein with improved texture characteristics, reducing bitter and peppery notes. The findings suggest that manufacturing changes can improve the taste and texture of protein drinks, making them more appealing to those relying on them.
A new study has deciphered the step-by-step assembly of eukaryotic proteasomes, revealing two alternative pathways and a flexible biogenesis process. The findings have far-reaching implications for understanding cellular protein quality control, ageing, and diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at The University of Osaka discovered that the cyanobacterial circadian clock is controlled by factors intrinsic to one protein, which remains stable under different conditions. This finding offers significant insight into how living organisms measure time.
Researchers discovered that intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) retain function through interplay of linear motifs and chemical characteristics, not just conserved sequence blueprints. The study found that short binding motifs and overall chemical context are crucial for protein function.