Uracil News and Research

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Metabolomic study of genetic regulation of biochemical individuality

Researchers systematically investigated the genetic makeup of nearly 20,000 women and men in terms of >900 metabolites.

15 Nov 2022

Crested ibis offers clues that could help our bodies to make better drugs

Thank the rare crested ibis for a clue that could someday help our bodies make better drugs.

19 Sep 2022

SARS-CoV-2 is a generalist virus, infecting and evolving in numerous mammals and humans

In a recent article published in the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers illustrated zooanthroponotic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and viral mutations specific to hosts.

8 Jun 2022

Where did Omicron's unique spike gene insertion originate?

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* pre-print server, scientists at nference Labs investigated the origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) new variant of concern (VOC) Omicron's unique spike (S) gene insertion ins214EPE.

8 Jun 2022

Relevance of stem-loop 2 motif in SARS-CoV-2 and astroviruses

A recent paper posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server demonstrated that the stem-loop 2 motif (s2m) was substantial for astroviruses but unnecessary for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

5 May 2022

Study explores role of APOBEC-mediated RNA editing in SARS-CoV-2 fitness

A new study investigated whether APOBEC proteins can directly edit the RNA sequence of SARS-CoV-2 to generate C-to-U mutations.

14 Apr 2022

Design of mRNA vaccines to combat COVID-19

A recent review study discusses fundamental concepts in the successful delivery of nucleic acids in therapeutics.

23 Sep 2021

Novel spike NTD mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant associated with increased viral loads and immune evasion

Researchers from the University of Southern California investigated mutations in the N-terminal and RBD domains of the spike protein.

20 Sep 2021

Melanoma mutations result from a chemical conversion in DNA fueled by sunlight, study reports

The mutations that give rise to melanoma result from a chemical conversion in DNA fueled by sunlight - not just a DNA copying error as previously believed, reports a study by Van Andel Institute scientists published today in Science Advances.

30 Jul 2021

Natural selection and adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 in mammals

Researchers of the Hubei University of Medicine, China, have analyzed several mutations in different variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from mammal species that suggest natural selection and host adaptation are occurring in the virus.

6 Apr 2021

Drugging RNA synthesis in SARS-CoV-2 as novel therapeutic avenue

In a new study, the role of a coronavirus-specific protein domain in SARS-CoV-2 viral synthesis initiation is investigated, and potential therapeutic solutions have been explored.

25 Mar 2021

Remdesivir inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication by preventing RdRp-mediated RNA translocation

A new study describes the in vitro mechanism by which remdesivir kinetically inhibits the replication of the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2.

18 Dec 2020

First enzyme-driven biocatalytic production of nucleic acid building blocks

Researchers from TU Graz and acib succeed in the first enzyme-driven biocatalytic synthesis of nucleic acid building blocks. This facilitates the development of antiviral agents and RNA-based therapeutics.

15 Dec 2020

RNA editing within host linked to SARS-CoV-2 variants

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the causative virus, SARS-CoV-2, has undergone several mutations.

14 Dec 2020

Uracil point mutations found in SARS-CoV-2 variants alter innate immune responses

Tohoku University scientists have found that human editing enzymes are likely behind a type of mutation in the COVID-19 virus that stimulates the release of pro-inflammatory molecules called cytokines by immune cells in the body.

11 Nov 2020

Host gene editing main driving force of SARS-CoV-2 mutations

A new study published on the aRxiv preprint server in September 2020 shows that the host immune response, mediated by two RNA editors, causes the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to adapt and change strain characteristics.

9 Sep 2020

GADL1 enzyme may be linked to athletic performances, shows study

Carnosine and its precursor beta-alanine increases muscle strength, and have recently become extremely popular as dietary supplements in competitive sports.

5 Aug 2020

Specific SARS-CoV-2 genetic elements found in different insect species

In a recent bioRxiv paper, researchers from Norway and the US demonstrate the presence of a highly conserved, mobile genetic element (thus far with unknown function) in genomes of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and a large number of insects – opening the door for hitherto unexplored treatment opportunities.

30 Jun 2020

Study shows how RNA editing affects the replication of COVID-19 virus

Two human deaminase enzymes edit the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus when it enters a patient's body, with implications for the evolution of the virus and the spread of the infection, according to a new study.

19 May 2020

Scientists report new and improved method to detect chemical modifications to DNA

Ludwig Cancer Research scientists report in the current issue of Nature Biotechnology a new and improved method to detect chemical modifications to DNA.

26 Feb 2019