Enzyme News and Research

RSS

Engineered protein silences harmful T cells in autoimmune disease

An engineered protein turns off the kind of immune cells most likely to damage tissue as part of Type-1 diabetes, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, shows a new study in mice.

1 Jul 2025

Study uncovers how inflammation in brain blood vessels exacerbates damage in vascular dementia

A new study from UCLA Health has uncovered how inflammation in brain blood vessels exacerbates damage in vascular dementia and demonstrated that targeting this process with a repurposed drug can promote brain repair and functional recovery in mice.

1 Jul 2025

Glycogen metabolism in neurons emerges as key to fighting Alzheimer's

A new study from scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging has revealed a surprising player in the battle against Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia: brain sugar metabolism.

1 Jul 2025

New yeast model sheds light on proteasome and mitochondrial interaction

A study by the Center for Redox Processes in Biomedicine (Redoxoma) led by Marilene Demasi from the Butantan Institute (São Paulo, Brazil) presents a valuable new experimental model for investigating the interaction between the proteasome and mitochondrial function.

30 Jun 2025

New enzyme can be "turned off" to restore cholesterol balance and reduce inflammation

Scientists at The University of Texas at Arlington have identified a new enzyme that can be "turned off" to help the body maintain healthy cholesterol levels-a significant development that could lead to new treatments for diseases that affect millions of Americans.

27 Jun 2025

Soil bacterium offers clues for new bioactive compounds

A recent study by an interdisciplinary research team shows how a soil bacterium can become a source of inspiration in the search of new active substances.

27 Jun 2025

Do spicy foods help or hurt your gut health?

Capsaicin, the spicy compound in chili peppers, not only influences inflammation, metabolism, and cancer risk but also shapes the gut microbiome in complex, context-dependent ways. This comprehensive review highlights both the therapeutic promise and potential risks of capsaicin, calling for deeper research into its microbiome-mediated effects.

26 Jun 2025

Methylene blue emerges as an adjunct in septic shock

Recent evidence suggests methylene blue may help reduce vasopressor needs and ICU stays in septic shock, but current data do not support replacing standard therapies. Further research is needed to clarify its optimal dosing, timing, and patient selection for best outcomes.

26 Jun 2025

Can saffron treat Alzheimer’s and depression?

Saffron shows promise as a natural treatment for depression and cognitive decline, performing as well as standard drugs in clinical trials. However, more rigorous studies are needed before saffron can be recommended in mainstream psychiatric and dementia care.

26 Jun 2025

New insights into programmed cell death could offer relief for inflammatory bowel disease

New basic science insights into programmed cell death could offer relief for inflammatory bowel disease.

26 Jun 2025

Epigenetic enzyme SETD1B drives aggressive growth in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow that progresses rapidly, making immediate treatment essential.

26 Jun 2025

Study shows polar winter challenges men’s muscle mass but not hormone levels

Researchers tracked testosterone, cortisol, and body composition in 23 men overwintering at Concordia Station, Antarctica. Despite extreme polar conditions, hormone levels remained stable, though nearly half the crew experienced significant muscle loss.

26 Jun 2025

Study reveals vitamin C’s role in strengthening aging skin

The skin acts as the body's first line of defense against external threats. However, as we age, the epidermis-the outermost layer of skin-gradually becomes thinner and loses its protective strength.

25 Jun 2025

TET1 identified as key regulator in cancer and chronic disease

Recent findings shed new light on the critical role of TET1, a pivotal player in epigenetic regulation, in the development and progression of various clinical diseases.

25 Jun 2025

New KRAS mutation discovery opens door to targeted colon cancer therapies

Scientists at Fox Chase Cancer Center have identified a mutation in a common oncogene - a gene that can cause cancer - that may play an important role in colon cancer. Researchers also showed how this mutation could be targeted therapeutically.

24 Jun 2025

Probiotics remain potent in simple plant-based drinks

Non-encapsulated probiotics thrive in fruit and vegetable juices, maintaining viability and sensory appeal, paving the way for innovative functional beverages.

24 Jun 2025

New PET radiotracer offers clearer view of brain inflammation

A newly developed PET radiotracer has shown the ability to produce high-quality images of real-time brain inflammation, according to research presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025 Annual Meeting.

24 Jun 2025

Targeting ST6Gal-I shows promise in reducing Alzheimer’s disease pathology

A recent study published in Engineering has provided novel insights into the involvement of α2,6-sialylation in Alzheimer's disease (AD), revealing that the ablation of α2,6-sialyltransferase-I (ST6Gal-I), an enzyme responsible for α2,6-sialylation, can downregulate BACE1 expression and suppress the production of amyloid-β42 (Aβ42) plaques, which are hallmarks of AD.

20 Jun 2025

Placenta and prenatal hormones may drive human brain evolution

The placenta and the hormones it produces may have played a crucial role in the evolution of the human brain, while also leading to the behavioral traits that have made human societies able to thrive and expand, according to a new hypothesis proposed by researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.

20 Jun 2025

Herpes virus reshapes the human genome's architecture to aid its replication

Viruses are entirely dependent on their hosts to reproduce. They ransack living cells for parts and energy and hijack the host's cellular machinery to make new copies of themselves.

19 Jun 2025