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.....»»
"Mirror-image" molecules pave new path for cancer drug discovery
Scripps Research scientists have developed a new strategy for identifying small molecules that can change the function of proteins, offering a promising path for discovering targeted drugs. In collaboration with scientists at other institutions, the.....»»
Decoding the mechanisms behind the assembly of BAR proteins that dictate cell curvature
Cell membranes play a critical role by serving as containment units and separating the inner cellular space from the extracellular environment. Proteins with distinct functional units play a key role in facilitating protein-membrane interactions. For.....»»
Solving the mystery behind how nutrients enter cells
For the nutrients that feed our cells to reach their destination, proteins embedded in the cell membrane often must shuttle what's needed across the threshold. When this system breaks down and metabolites fail to reach their destinations, the impacts.....»»
The role of mutation in nucleoproteins of SARS-CoV-2
Scientists from The Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, together with foreign colleagues, have demonstrated that human 14-3-3 proteins, which are known for their role in replication of many viru.....»»
Relatives discovered: Membrane proteins of cyanobacteria and higher organisms are structurally highly similar
The cells of living organisms are equipped with proteins that are involved in the shaping and remodeling of cellular membranes, thereby performing important tasks. The cell membrane encloses the cell interior, but is constantly remodeled, for example.....»»
Novel living yeast-based dual biosensor for detecting peptide variants
Biosensors—sensors that can detect biological samples—are powerful tools for understanding the function, composition, and structure of biochemical molecules. Biosensors are often applied for the detection of proteins and their subunits, called pe.....»»
A simple paper test could offer early cancer diagnosis
MIT engineers have designed a new nanoparticle sensor that could enable early diagnosis of cancer with a simple urine test. The sensors, which can detect many different cancerous proteins, could also be used to distinguish the type of a tumor or how.....»»
Establishing the basis for mammalian intracellular computing with mRNA switches
Professor Hirohide Saito and his research team have developed a new approach to control mRNA translation using Cas proteins, thus expanding the variety of mRNA switches and making it easier to build synthetic gene circuits in mammalian cells. The res.....»»
Study finds new pathway for clearing misfolded proteins
Misfolded proteins are toxic to cells. They disrupt normal functions and cause some age-related human degenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Cells work constantly to eliminate misfolded proteins, but these cl.....»»
How the "master regulators" of cells make DNA accessible for gene expression
New insight into proteins called "pioneer factors" helps to explain their unusual ability to open up the typically dense genetic material within our cells. This behavior makes the genetic material accessible for proteins involved in important cellula.....»»
AI system can generate novel proteins that meet structural design targets
MIT researchers are using artificial intelligence to design new proteins that go beyond those found in nature......»»
SpyLigation technology uses light to switch on proteins
Scientists can now use light to activate protein functions both inside and outside of living cells. The new method, called light-activated SpyLigation, can turn on proteins that are normally off to allow researchers to study and control them in more.....»»
Entering a new era of 3D printing for DNAs and proteins
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a useful technique that has been widely utilized in our lives, ranging from reconstructive plastic surgery to artificial organ production. However, many biopolymers, such as nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and pr.....»»
Neuron movements shown to be caused by push, pull of motor proteins
Neurons, which are responsible for producing the signals that ultimately trigger an action such as talking or moving a muscle, are built and maintained by classes of motor proteins that transport molecular cargo along elongated tracks called microtub.....»»
Study compares de novo proteins with randomly produced proteins
Proteins are components of every cell. How they have changed in the course of evolution for the purpose of taking on new functions in the body, has long been a subject of research. The fact that proteins can emerge practically out of nothing—out of.....»»
How a worm"s embryonic cells change its development potential
Researchers have spotted how specific proteins within the chromosomes of roundworms enable their offspring to produce specialized cells generations later, a startling finding that upends classical thinking that hereditary information for cell differe.....»»
Euchromatin is not really open in living cells, shows study
DNA and associated proteins in active regions of the genome are condensed but behave like a viscous liquid at the molecular level. This finding greatly increases our understanding of the physical nature of expressed genome regions in living human cel.....»»
Researchers reveal mechanism of polarized cortex assembly in migrating cells
The cell cortex is defined as a thin layer of filamentous actin, myosin motors, and regulatory proteins beneath the plasma membrane. Assembly and contraction of this actin meshwork generates cortical tension, which enables cells to resist external me.....»»
DELLA proteins could hold key to the next Green Revolution
A family of 'promiscuous' proteins found in all land plants is responsible for many different plant functions, despite remaining relatively unchanged for over 450 million years......»»
New type of friction discovered in ligand-protein systems
An interdisciplinary research team of the Institutes of Physical Chemistry and Physics of the University of Freiburg and the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics in Frankfurt-am-Main has discovered a new, direction-dependent friction in proteins called.....»»