New proteins "out of nothing"
Proteins are the key component in all modern forms of life. Hemoglobin, for example, transports the oxygen in our blood; photosynthesis proteins in the leaves of plants convert sunlight into energy; and fungal enzymes help us to brew beer and bake br.....»»
Study identifies secret of stealthy invader essential to ruinous rice disease
The virulence of a rice-wrecking fungus—and deployment of ninja-like proteins that help it escape detection by muffling an immune system's alarm bells—relies on genetic decoding quirks that could prove central to stopping it, says research from t.....»»
Scientists discover a previously unknown way cells break down proteins
Short-lived proteins control gene expression in cells to carry out a number of vital tasks, from helping the brain form connections to helping the body mount an immune defense. These proteins are made in the nucleus and are quickly destroyed once the.....»»
How the "treadmill conveyor belt" ensures proper cell division
Researchers at the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) have discovered how proteins work in tandem to regulate "treadmilling," a mechanism used by the network of microtubules inside cells to ensure proper cell division. The findings are published in.....»»
When proteins get stuck at the solid phase: Unlocking the secrets to brain diseases
Many diseases affecting the brain and nervous system are linked to the formation of protein aggregates, or solid condensates, in cells from their liquid form condensate, but little is known about this process......»»
Four surprising proteins on the future menu
We're thinking more about the food on our plates, and where it comes from, these days. To cater to changing tastes and dietary preferences, menu options are being rewritten across Australia and the globe......»»
Deciphering the molecular dynamics of complex proteins
Which structures do complex proteins adopt in solution? Konstanz biophysicists answer this question using the example of ubiquitin dimers as well as a new combination of high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and sophisticated computer simulations......»»
Serum amyloid A: Exploring links between the beneficial and pathologic actions of an enigmatic protein
Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a family of ancient proteins that can be traced from present-day humans back half a billion years to sea cucumbers and oysters. A new study by researchers from the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine ex.....»»
How bacteria ship cellular cargo by "surfing" along proteins
Bacteria live in nearly every habitat on Earth including within soil, water, acidic hot springs and even within our own guts......»»
Scientists find evidence that Vlad the Impaler shed bloody tears
Letter from 1475 contains proteins suggesting he suffered from hemolacria, respiratory problems. Enlarge / This 1475 letter written by Vlad the Impaler contains proteins suggesting he suffered from respiratory problems, bloodied.....»»
Vlad the Impaler may have shed tears of blood, study finds
Letter from 1475 contains proteins suggesting he suffered from hemolacria, respiratory problems. Enlarge / This 1475 letter written by Vlad the Impaler contains proteins suggesting he suffered from respiratory problems, bloodied.....»»
Study explains how part of the nucleolus evolved
Inside all living cells, loosely formed assemblies known as biomolecular condensates perform many critical functions. However, it is not well understood how proteins and other biomolecules come together to form these assemblies within cells......»»
Scientists reveal how proteins drive growth of multiple cancer types
Scientists have completed a deep analysis of the proteins driving cancer across multiple tumor types, information that can't be assessed by genome sequencing alone. Understanding how proteins operate in cancer cells raises the prospect of new therapi.....»»
Weaker transcription factors are better when they work together
Bioengineers can tailor the genomes of cells to create "cellular therapies" that fight disease, but they have found it difficult to design specialized activating proteins called transcription factors that can throw the switch on bioengineered genes w.....»»
Researchers show cells communicate by pulling on a fiber network
Mechanics play a larger role in blood vessel formation and other developmental biology than previously thought. Cells appear to respond to mechanical signals, such as pressure. Through the extracellular matrix, a network of fibrous proteins, cells ca.....»»
Getting protein factories to run—How deubiquitinating enzymes moonlight as Fubi proteases
The small protein ubiquitin is particularly famous for marking proteins for degradation but it has also been shown to regulate virtually all cellular processes. In parallel to the ubiquitin system various other ubiquitin-like modifiers have evolved,.....»»
Genetic blueprint for vaccine and therapeutics production in plants
An international research project led by QUT has made a major step forward on the potential of the Australian plant, N. benthamiana, to grow therapeutic proteins and vaccines cheaply and quickly. The research, titled "A multi-omic Nicotiana benthamia.....»»
Glucagon receptor structures uncover new arrestin interaction mechanism
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are essential for cell signal transduction and constitute the largest drug target protein family. Upon agonist stimulation, these receptors activate multiple downstream transducers, including G proteins and arresti.....»»
The "unknome": A database of human genes we know almost nothing about
Researchers from the United Kingdom hope that a new, publicly available database they have created will shrink, not grow, over time. That's because it is a compendium of the thousands of understudied proteins encoded by genes in the human genome, who.....»»
New strategy decodes dynamic structure of proteins within cells
Protein dynamics play a crucial role in diverse functions. The intracellular environment significantly influences protein dynamics, particularly for intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs)......»»
Deep learning for new protein design
The key to understanding proteins—such as those that govern cancer, COVID-19, and other diseases—is quite simple: Identify their chemical structure and find which other proteins can bind to them. But there's a catch......»»