Articles tagged with Proteins
A study led by Przemyslaw Nogly at PSI has detailed insight into the mechanism of a light-driven chloride pump in bacteria, revealing how light energy converts to kinetic energy and transports chloride ions inside cells. The pump uses two molecular gates to ensure one-way transport, with the process taking around 100 milliseconds.
Scientists at the University of Münster and Max Planck Institute have clarified the molecular basis for cellular degradation processes by elucidating the 3D structure of Mon1/Ccz1. The complex determines which vesicles deliver their content to the lysosome, a key step in protein regulation.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a new potential drug target, BRD2, which regulates the ACE2 receptor, a key entry point for SARS-CoV-2. Blocking production of BRD2 prevents virus from infecting various human cell types.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have developed a biotechnology-based solution to produce ovalbumin, a key protein in egg white powder. The fungus-produced ovalbumin reduces greenhouse gas emissions and land use by up to 72% compared to traditional chicken-based production.
Scientists developed a breakthrough fabrication process for microneedle arrays capable of administering protein-based drugs without damaging the skin. The microneedles offer several advantages, including being painless and easy to dispose of.
A team of researchers at UC Santa Cruz has created an unusual protein structure known as a ‘rippled beta sheet’ by mixing mirror-image peptides. The study used x-ray crystallography to obtain images of the structure, which closely matches predictions made in 1953 by Linus Pauling and Robert Corey.
Researchers from The Ohio State University developed a novel method to supplement cow milk with vegetable protein using readily available dairy processing equipment. This innovation combines the benefits of casein micelles with pea protein to create functional, multisourced dairy products that can help bolster declining fluid milk sale...
Researchers found that the SARS-CoV-2 N-protein accelerates the formation of amyloid fibrils in test tube experiments, interacting with α-synuclein protein. This interaction may contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease in COVID-19 patients.
Scientists have developed a fusion protein that successfully blocks replication of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses in cell culture tests. The protein combines ACE2 with human antibody fragments, providing reliable protection against future mutations.
Scientists have studied how different drugs affect Pseudomonas aeruginosa, revealing what makes it resistant to antibiotics. A new experimental substance called CHIR-090 has shown promise in blocking the production of sugar-lipid compounds, a previously unexploited target for treatment.
Researchers create large molecular rings that self-assemble into a sheet-like structure on surfaces, allowing for adjustable mesh size and attachment of bulky molecules. This technology has the potential to enable novel catalysts and measure nanomechanical properties of proteins.
Scientists at the University of Groningen have developed a nanopore-based method for protein identification and sequencing. They constructed a proteosome-nanopore system that can recognize proteins from peptide spectra and sequence entire proteins directly.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have created model protein-RNA droplets with properties similar to those of viscoelastic Maxwell fluid and Silly Putty. These droplets exhibit dual behavior, acting like both elastic solids and viscous liquids, depending on the timescale.
Researchers discovered that a heat-soluble protein from tardigrade cytosols self-assembles into fibrous condensates under desiccation conditions. This dynamic organization suggests multistep anhydrobiotic mechanisms, allowing organisms to survive without water.
Scientists at Einstein College of Medicine have successfully suppressed HIV infections in mice using a novel treatment strategy that boosts the immune system's CD8+ T cells. The therapy, known as synTac, selectively targets HIV-infected T cells, eliminating them from the body and offering a potential path to a functional cure for HIV.
Michel Goedert's research focuses on protein aggregates in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, providing deep insights into disease development. His work is essential for finding new treatments, as evidenced by his discovery of gene mutations leading to dementia.
Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology have identified the 'caramel receptor', which recognizes furaneol, a natural odorant found in fruits and coffee. This discovery contributes to a better understanding of molecular coding of food flavors.
Researchers mapped cancer through protein interactions, revealing biomarkers and potential new treatments for breast and head and neck cancers. The study provides a new definition of biomarkers based on large, multi-protein complexes, offering a more precise way to explain mutation effects.
Researchers developed an AI tool that can quickly and accurately identify suspicious proteins in the body by analyzing their movements. The method, known as diffusional fingerprinting, uses machine learning algorithms to predict protein behavior with over 90% accuracy.
A team of scientists has reported a technique that provides the most detailed picture of kidney stone components yet. The researchers used a novel method to analyze kidney stones, revealing the distribution of three different proteins and their role in crystal growth.
Researchers developed a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine that mimics the SARS-CoV-2 virus shape, eliciting both antibody and T cell responses. The vaccine, using polymersomes decorated with multiple copies of the receptor binding domain antigen, shows promise for longer-lasting immunity.
A new study published in Nutrients highlights the importance of adequate protein intake for adults living with diabetes. The research found that nearly half of US adults with diabetes did not meet the daily recommended protein intake, leading to greater physical limitations and potentially increasing the risk of muscle loss.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is widely used for predicting protein secondary structure and quantifying proteins. The technique can detect structural modifications due to interactions with other materials, making it useful for various sample types.
Researchers at University of Vermont develop nanocage tool that can select and activate specific polymer chains in a lab, opening doors to new possibilities for precision chemistry and industrial applications.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have successfully synthesized evasins, a type of anti-inflammatory protein found in tick saliva, which can suppress chemokine-driven inflammation in human diseases. The proteins show great promise in treating lung inflammation in respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
A team developed a new instrument to detect rapid and irreversible reactions in biological molecules like rhodopsin. The Féry spectrometer allows analysis of very fast processes with high time resolution.
Researchers discovered that proteinaceous amino acids readily form short chains resembling modern proteins, hinting at their potential role in the origin of life. The study suggests these amino acids were selected based on reactivity advantages over nonproteinaceous ones.
A UMass Lowell researcher is translating the toughness of spider silks to develop high-performance synthetic biomaterials. The project aims to understand what makes Darwin's bark spider dragline silk ultra-tough and its potential applications in improving helmets, body armor, medical devices, sports gear, and more.
Researchers used a super-resolution microscope to observe viral assembly, finding that envelope proteins are randomly scattered on the cell membrane rather than recruited by matrix proteins. This discovery could lead to more effective vaccines for enveloped viruses like influenza and HIV.
Researchers discovered that mechanical forces control protein synthesis speeds by influencing ribosome tunnel geometry and protein segment movement. This finding may lead to a better understanding of disease mechanisms linked to defective protein synthesis.
Researchers have developed a new way to measure the activity of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), a protein associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. By identifying specific client proteins tied to Hsp70 activity, scientists can now develop potential therapies by testing small molecules in real-world environments.
The study used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to detect biomolecular changes in white blood cells stimulated with bacterial components, revealing a threefold increase in microvesicle production and altered lipid content.
New research by University of Bristol physicists shows that protein molecules can be understood using virtual knots, a branch of knot theory previously considered abstract. This approach captures the essential ambiguity of where protein curve ends are, providing a more detailed understanding of their three-dimensional structure.
Chemists have developed a new technique called redox activated chemical tagging (ReACT) that selectively links chemicals to proteins. This method could transform the way drugs are developed, proteins are probed, and molecules are tracked and imaged.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have discovered ten previously unknown microbial natural products from an abandoned coal mine in Kentucky. The compounds include four new geldanamycin variants and four McCrearamycins, which contain a cyclopentenone ring. These findings suggest that small structural variations can impact cell u...
Researchers have shown that weak attraction forces between proteins can greatly impact diffusion in densely concentrated protein molecules, similar to those found in living cells. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding biological processes and their regulation.
Researchers have used molecular dynamics simulations to study the spatial and temporal behavior of myoglobin, a protein involved in oxygen transport. The simulations provide insights into the underlying chemical structure and dynamics of metastable intermediates, shedding light on the protein's function.
Researchers used supercomputing to simulate protein motion over a huge range of timescales, revealing self-similar dynamics and out-of-equilibrium phenomenon. This breakthrough has significant implications for advancing energy and medical sciences.
Biochemists at Oregon State University have made a fundamental discovery about protein structure that sheds light on how proteins fold and change shape. The findings reveal the first direct views of specific details of one aspect of protein folding in a way that had not been considered possible.
Researchers have discovered an intricate dance of protein motion, where temperature sets the tempo, allowing for a deeper understanding of biological mechanisms and potential treatments. This new knowledge could lead to breakthroughs in disease cures and compound production.
A new study by University of Notre Dame researchers found that the most abundant protein in the Ebola virus, VP40, mediates replication and interacts with human cell lipids. This discovery may lead to novel therapeutics for combating Ebola.
Researchers created a 24-atom protein assembly that self-assembles into a porous molecular cube. This breakthrough could lead to the development of synthetic vaccines and targeted medicine delivery inside human cells. The discovery was made by UCLA biochemists led by Todd Yeates.
Researchers design manmade proteins with new structures, including central cavities, to enhance biological functions and create novel molecules. The discovery is part of the growing field of synthetic biology at the University of Bristol.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow discovered that proteins like lysozyme can vibrate at frequencies similar to a few terahertz, allowing for efficient biochemical reactions. This 'ringing' motion enables proteins to morph quickly and bind with other molecules, critical for life's biological functions.
Researchers have developed a new method to refine low-resolution X-ray crystallography data for biomolecules, combining PHENIX and Rosetta software. The new approach can aggressively optimize models to fit the data while presenting realistic geometry.
Researchers have found that lactoferrin has various health benefits, including wound healing and protection from bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoal infections. The protein is also being explored as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer prevention and treatment.
Scientists discovered a gene mutation causing hereditary spastic paraplegia, which may provide clues to axon degeneration in conditions like multiple sclerosis. The study highlights new disease mechanisms that could lead to genetic counselling and testing for affected families.
Dr. Oliver Daumke has won the Bayer Early Excellence in Science Award for his work on G proteins, which play a crucial role in cellular signaling pathways and immune response. His research holds promise for developing new strategies to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and flu.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that protein diffusion is slower than previously thought, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies for diseases such as Alzheimer's, ALS, and cystic fibrosis. The discovery provides a fundamental understanding of the pre-folded state of proteins.
Researchers at TUM have successfully manipulated a single 'zipper' protein molecule to map changes in its energy landscape during folding and unfolding. This breakthrough provides higher-resolution measurements of protein folding dynamics, shedding light on the chain of events leading from DNA coding to biological function.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have designed a new version of factor VIII that doubles its ability to bind with factor IX, potentially reducing costs and immune reactions. The redesigned protein accelerates blood clotting, offering a promising alternative for next-generation hemophilia treatment.
Protein nanostructures have been created using a novel method that allows for precise control over their shape and size. The technique involves the use of nanoparticles to guide the assembly of protein molecules into specific structures.
Researchers have discovered a virus with an armored coat made of interlocking rings of protein, similar to medieval chain mail suits. The discovery could lead to new designs for nanotechnology, as the unique structure allows for stability while maintaining mobility.
Chemist Peter G. Wolynes explains how glass, a disorganized crystal in a frozen state, keeps its shape and applies this insight to study protein structures. His work has numerous applications in environmental cleanup and drug design.
Chemist F. Ann Walker received the Francis P. Garvan-John M. Olin Medal for her research on heme proteins, including nitrophorin, a molecule found in kissing bugs that releases nitric oxide to facilitate feeding. Her work provides insight into the function of heme proteins and their role in the immune system.
A study found that metallothionein levels increase in the brain in response to alcohol consumption, suggesting a potential protective role. Higher MT levels may explain different levels of alcohol-related toxicity in individuals.
Researchers found that a short distance of 2.53 angstroms between iron atoms in peroxide-bridged ferritin intermediate favors biomineralization process over oxygen activation. The study uses analytical techniques to probe molecular structure and collaboration with experts from different disciplines.
The U-M research will systematically study the proteins made by tumor cells, genes that instruct them, and subtle differences among proteins from different types of tumors. The goal is to develop rapid-analysis technology to detect cancer early and predict treatment response.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville developed a new type of molecule that can block neurotensin's ability to lower body temperature and reduce pain sensation. The breakthrough could lead to drugs specifically created to fight diseases at the molecular level.
Researchers found a protein called GON-1 that regulates organ shape in Caenorhabditis elegans, a microscopic worm. This discovery could lead to the development of inhibitors to slow or stop cancer cell spread and may one day enable growing human organs in labs.