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.....»»
Biologists" mapping method illustrates paths to new proteins
Scientists at The University of Texas at Dallas are using machine learning to study proteins—the molecules that carry out essential life functions—in a way that could impact protein engineering, human health and the evolutionary tracking of prote.....»»
How one of nature"s most fundamental molecules forms
Life runs on ribosomes. Every cell on Earth needs ribosomes to translate genetic information into all the proteins needed for the organism to function—and to in turn make more ribosomes. But scientists still lack a clear understanding of how these.....»»
Chemists discover why photosynthetic light-harvesting is so efficient
When photosynthetic cells absorb light from the sun, packets of energy called photons leap between a series of light-harvesting proteins until they reach the photosynthetic reaction center. There, cells convert the energy into electrons, which eventu.....»»
Scientists pinpoint where thousands of individual proteins are made in intact tissue and single cells
For researchers studying how proteins can cause human disease, knowing precisely where proteins are made within cells and tissues could help them learn about their role in disease and come up with new treatments......»»
Prepared for war: How cells survive viral invasion
"Let him who desires peace, prepare for war," wrote the Roman author Vegetius in the 4th century CE. Our bodies, it seems, live by this dictum: Even in times of peace, some cells express high levels of defensive, antiviral proteins. A new Weizmann In.....»»
Molecular "hub" regulates gene-silencing proteins
To keep their vital functions in balance, many organisms use small snippets of RNA to "silence" messenger RNAs that code for certain proteins. New research from FMI scientists has revealed a molecular hub that integrates the activities of different p.....»»
Pathogen protein modularity enables elaborate mimicry of host phosphatase
Pathogens have developed an extensive array of proteins during the co-evolutionary arms race with their hosts. This is particularly true for Phytophthora, a genus that causes significant damage to agriculture and forestry. One well-known species, Phy.....»»
Research team shows that a cell"s membrane can be reversibly deformed with light
Membranes fulfill a variety of tasks in living cells: for example, they separate the cells from their surroundings and thus protect them. Also, by means of transport proteins they convey the necessary nutrients to the interior. Membranes are also ins.....»»
Smart yet simple: Creating uniform DNA-encapsulating microgels that mimic a living cell
The living cell harbors physiologically relevant components such as the genetic material (DNA) and proteins in a "self-organized" setting. Understanding this process of self-assembly can reveal the underlying mechanism of self-organization of living.....»»
Bridging the gap for precision medicine: Nanofluidic aptamer nanoarray measures individual proteins
In the evolving world of precision medicine, the need for methods that can measure biomolecules with supreme accuracy and specificity is paramount. Recognizing this, Associate Professor Yan Xu of the Graduate School of Engineering at Osaka Metropolit.....»»
Biolab replaces horseradish roots for production of important enzymes
It is one of the most important enzymes in medical diagnostics: Horseradish peroxidase is used for many medical products—it is often used when a color change of a test strip is to detect the presence of antibodies or other proteins......»»
Ribosomal gatekeepers: Study sheds light on molecular control centers of eukaryote protein factories
Based on genetic blueprints, individual amino acids are assembled into long amino acid chains, the proteins, in the protein factories of our cells, the ribosomes. Each newly formed protein starts with the amino acid methionine. This amino acid is oft.....»»
How proteins protect mammalian sperm on their way to the egg cell
Mammalian seminal fluid contains a variety of proteins secreted by the accessory sex glands that are important for the processes involved in fertilization. One of these proteins, which is found in ungulates—and in particularly large quantities in b.....»»
A roadmap for gene regulation in plants
For the first time, researchers at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have developed a genome-scale way to map the regulatory role of transcription factors, proteins that play a key role in gene expression.....»»
Discovery of a new mechanism that may promote healthy aging of our cells
All biological processes in our cells are constantly monitored to prevent the accumulation of defective proteins. In the worst case, such protein clumps can trigger diseases. The synthesis of new proteins is particularly susceptible to errors. Errono.....»»
Photosynthesis starts with a single photon, study shows
Using a complex cast of metal-studded pigments, proteins, enzymes, and co-enzymes, photosynthetic organisms can convert the energy in light into the chemical energy for life. And now, thanks to a study published June 14 in Nature, we know that this o.....»»
New way of identifying proteins supports drug development
All living cells contains proteins with different functions, depending on the type of cell. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered a way to identify proteins even without looking at their structure. Their method is faster, easier.....»»
Researchers develop universal MHC molecules that can be produced rapidly at scale
Class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) proteins play an essential role in the immune system of all jawed vertebrates. The MHC-I displays peptide fragments of proteins from within the cell on the cell surface, "presenting" them to the immune.....»»
Targeted small molecule alleviates arthritis symptoms in mice
Researchers at the University of Helsinki, together with researchers from the United States, have discovered a small molecule that inhibits the formation in cells of cytokine proteins that promote inflammation. The mechanism is based on the fact that.....»»
Scientists identify fungal proteins responsible for suppressing host plant immunity from infection
While infectious fungal plant diseases relentlessly wreak havoc on many crops, they are also picky when choosing their hosts. Each fungus generally exhibits a specific host range, but the mechanism of this specificity has not been well understood......»»