Biosynthesis pathway of a new DNA nucleobase elucidated
DNA is composed of nucleobases represented by the letters A, T, G and C. They form the basis of the genetic code and are present in all living beings. But in a bacteriophage, another base, represented by the letter Z, exists. This exception, the only.....»»
Scientists uncover phosphorylation-driven auxin signaling pathway for seed size regulation in rice
In a study published in Cell Reports, Prof. Song Xianjun's group from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has uncovered a gene network underlying the regulation of seed size in rice......»»
How jasmonate signaling is enhanced under phosphorous-deficient conditions in plant physiology
Phosphorus (P) is a macronutrient essential for various biological processes in plants. Inorganic phosphate (Pi) deficiency modulates the signaling pathway of the phytohormone jasmonate (a fatty acid compound ubiquitous in the plant kingdom and cruci.....»»
Tracing the history of grape domestication using genome sequencing
A large international team of scientists with various backgrounds has discovered that there were two domestication pathway events for grapes that led to their use in winemaking. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes con.....»»
A new 3D-printed molecular model to teach students about nucleobase pairing
Molecular models are a tried-and-tested tool for teaching chemistry to students of all ages. By enabling users to visualize the three-dimensional structure of a molecule and how its atoms are arranged, they can accelerate the learning process for ess.....»»
Tracing the origin of life—a new abiotic pathway for the formation of peptide chains from amino acids
A team of scientists from France and Austria has discovered a new abiotic pathway for the formation of peptide chains from amino acids—a key chemical step in the origin of life. The current study provides strong evidence that this crucial step for.....»»
Unlikely pairs of DNA elements and regulator proteins make small plant stem cells destined to become stomata
Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Washington have elucidated a mechanism that makes tiny plant stem cells develop stomata, the cellular valves of plants that facilitate global carbon cy.....»»
Prairie voles without oxytocin receptors can bond with mates and young
The vital role of oxytocin—the "love hormone"—for social attachments is being called into question. More than 40 years of pharmacological and behavioral research has pointed to oxytocin receptor signaling as an essential pathway for the developme.....»»
Power of cancer drugs may see boost by targeting newly identified pathway
Cells zealously protect the integrity of their genomes, because damage can lead to cancer or cell death. The genome—a cell's complete set of DNA—is most vulnerable while it is being duplicated before a cell divides. Cancer cells constantly are di.....»»
Host-cell factors involved in COVID-19 infections may augur improved treatments
Researchers at University of California San Diego and UC Riverside have further elucidated the molecular pathway used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus to infect human lung cells, identifying a key host-cell player that may prove a new and enduring therapeutic.....»»
Metabolic pathway in honey bees with strong connections to winter colony losses discovered
Agricultural Research Service scientists and their Chinese colleagues have identified a specific metabolic pathway that controls how honey bees apportion their body's resources such as energy and immune response in reaction to stresses such as winter.....»»
Harnessing the healing power within our cells
University of Queensland researchers have identified a pathway in cells that could be used to reprogram the body's immune system to fight back against both chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases......»»
Scientists identify how a biological pathway leads stem cells to die or regenerate
A new study led by Cedars-Sinai and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), has determined that altering a cellular process can lead stem cells—cells from which other cells in the body develop—to die or regenerate......»»
Genetically engineered bacterium enables biosynthesis of melanin nanoparticles
Photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted considerable attention for the treatment of tumors because it is minimally invasive and has spatiotemporal selectivity......»»
Discovery of cross-species signaling pathway unlocks mysteries around parasite immunity, development
Research led by a University of Maryland team has identified the first inter-species signaling pathway between an arthropod parasite and host, where molecules in the blood of a host animal triggers the immunity and development of a parasite. The stud.....»»
Successful biosynthesis of the precursors of powerful anticancer drug vinblastine in yeast
Humanity's fight against cancer is expected to continue for years to come. Scientists across the globe are constantly inventing novel synthetic methods for the rapid and efficient production of anticancer therapeutics. However, the chemical synthesis.....»»
Novel synthesis process for sustainable production of small molecules
Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, have discovered a new synthetic pathway with which they can produce a specific organic compound from the simple molecule carbon monoxide (CO), namely anionic ketenes. These were previously only known as.....»»
Formation of pores in mitochondrial membrane elucidated
Mitochondria are considered to be the power plants of cells and are essential for human metabolism. Dysfunction in 40% of mitochondrial proteins are associated with human diseases, which is why mitochondria also play an important role in medical rese.....»»
Discovery of a cellular uptake pathway for larger drug molecules
Recent findings by UCSF and Arc Institute scientists open up new possibilities for overcoming a fundamental challenge in drug discovery. There can be a tradeoff between optimizing a drug's key-in-a-lock fit with its target and the drug's ability to m.....»»
How TFIIH uses XPG to located damaged DNA
Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a critical DNA repair pathway that plays a key role in maintaining transcription and genome integrity by removing bulky DNA lesions......»»
EPA proposes revamp of biofuel program to include EVs
The EPA plan would introduce a pathway for EV makers to generate credits. That would recognize the possibility that EVs could be charged using power from the grid generated by biofuels like landfill or agricultural methane......»»