Molecular & Structural Biology

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Advancing protein structure prediction with quantum computing

Researchers from Cleveland Clinic and IBM recently published findings in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation that could lay the groundwork for applying quantum computing methods to protein structure prediction.

30 May 2024

hnRNPM's protective role in protein synthesis precision uncovered

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions have discovered that a protein called hnRNPM helps protect the integrity of the process cells use to make proteins.

30 May 2024

Exercise-induced exerkines: Secret weapon in disease prevention and therapy

A recent review in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy highlights the role of exercise-induced molecules, exerkines, in disease prevention and treatment, emphasizing their molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

29 May 2024

Researchers decode spatial structure of prime editor

Joint research led by Yutaro Shuto, Ryoya Nakagawa, and Osamu Nureki of the University of Tokyo determined the spatial structure of various processes of a novel gene-editing tool called "prime editor."

29 May 2024

Scientists design new way to "cloak" proteins for targeted therapeutic delivery

Cornell University scientists have designed a way to "cloak" proteins in a generalized technique that could lead to repurposing things like antibodies for biological research and therapeutic applications.

28 May 2024

Underappreciated set of enzymes connected to the regulation of hippo pathway in cancer

Within the family of cell membrane lipids known as phosphoinositides and the kinase enzymes that regulate them, phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) have been cast in a starring role as scientists study their involvement in cancer, diabetes and many cellular activities.

28 May 2024

Researchers discover how protein XPD detects and repairs DNA damage

Researchers at the University of Würzburg, led by Caroline Kisker in cooperation with Claudia Höbartner, discovered how the protein XPD detects a severe DNA damage and controls its repair.

28 May 2024

Advanced techniques reveal plectasin's velcro-like action against bacteria

A small antibiotic called plectasin uses an innovative mechanism to kill bacteria. By assembling into large structures, plectasin latches onto its target on the bacterial cell surface comparable to how both sides of Velcro form a bond.

25 May 2024

Harnessing molecular pathways governed by key gene to enhance wheat yields

A study from the University of Adelaide has discovered molecular pathways regulated by a gene traditionally used to control wheat-flowering behavior could be altered to achieve greater yields.

23 May 2024

Study reveals ferroptosis as a major driver of severe COVID-19 lung damage

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death mechanism, is identified as a key factor in severe COVID-19 lung disease, suggesting potential new therapeutic targets.

22 May 2024

Scientists uncover protein folding secrets through sound

By converting their data into sounds, scientists discovered how hydrogen bonds contribute to the lightning-fast gyrations that transform a string of amino acids into a functional, folded protein.

21 May 2024

Breakthrough ATP sensor sheds light on cellular energy dynamics

A molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the basic unit of biochemical energy that fuels the activities of all cells.

17 May 2024

Reviving a rejected drug: New selective antibiotic shows promise

Twenty years ago, a drug candidate was rejected due to its side effects. Researchers have now figured out how to potentially make a successor molecule more selective.

17 May 2024

Research unveils the dual subdomain structure of the centromere

Researchers from the Kops group in collaboration with researchers from the University of Edinburgh, made a surprising new discovery in the structure of the centromere, a structure that is involved in ensuring that chromosomes are segregated properly when a cell divides.

14 May 2024

Protein mechanics key to cell nucleus entry, study finds

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and King's College London have discovered that how soft or rigid proteins are in certain regions can dictate how fast or slow they enter the nucleus.

13 May 2024

Study uncovers alcohol's damaging effects on brain cells through oxidative stress

Alcohol exposure leads to accumulation of oxidatively damaged proteins in neuronal cells. Differentiated cells are more susceptible to alcohol-induced oxidative protein damage despite higher resistance to cytotoxicity.

9 May 2024

Molecular pathology of Schaaf-Yang syndrome: Insights into MAGEL2 gene mutations and truncated proteins

Mutations in the MAGEL2 gene, which cause Schaaf-Yan syndrome (SYS) —an ultra-rare disease that affects neuronal and cognitive development— generate truncated, non-functional proteins that tend to accumulate in the cell nucleus.

8 May 2024

Bacterial fatty acid metabolite identified as key player in immune regulation

Gut microbiota or the population of microbial inhabitants in the intestine, plays a key role in digestion and maintenance of overall health.-

7 May 2024

Enzyme implicated in telomere repair offers new avenues for cancer therapy

A new study led by University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center researchers shows that an enzyme called PARP1 is involved in repair of telomeres, the lengths of DNA that protect the tips of chromosomes, and that impairing this process can lead to telomere shortening and genomic instability that can cause cancer.

7 May 2024

Protein profiling reveals impact of aging and resistance training on skeletal muscle proteome

A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 8, entitled, "A novel deep proteomic approach in human skeletal muscle unveils distinct molecular signatures affected by aging and resistance training."

2 May 2024