Protein News and Research

RSS

Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

The mode of action of essential proteins involved in cancer and Alzheimer´s deciphered

The proteins that belong to the HAT family are essential for life as they transport amino acids across the cell membrane. Although the members of this family are practically identical, some transport certain amino acids and not others.

29 Nov 2021

Rare variants in high-risk autism gene can alter architecture and organization of neurons, study finds

Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and colleagues have demonstrated that rare variants in the ANK2 gene, consistently found in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), can alter architecture and organization of neurons, potentially contributing to autism and neurodevelopmental comorbidities.

29 Nov 2021

Biologists discover how a protein in our body works

It's an old needlework trick, and a protein in our body knows it: Instead of threading yarn into the eye from the end, it can be easier to pass a loop through it.

29 Nov 2021

Novel influenza vaccine candidate shows promise

Researchers investigate the potential value of a new vaccine candidate for the influenza virus.

29 Nov 2021

Genetic variations affect and rewire phosphorylation signaling networks in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers study human single nucleotide variants (SNVs) using machine learning to identify amino acid changes that alter kinase-bound sequence motifs.

29 Nov 2021

Circulating microbubbles for measuring oxygen levels

Blood carries vital oxygen through our circulation system to muscles and organs. Acoustic tools can create small bubbles in our blood, capable of changing in response to oxygen and signifying oxygen levels.

29 Nov 2021

Glycosylation and disulfide bonding profile of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein

Researchers found that virus-like particles produced by co-expression of SARS-CoV-2 S, membrane, envelope, and nucleocapsid proteins contain S glycoproteins, which are modified by complex carbohydrates.

29 Nov 2021

Extended host range for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Researchers used viral pseudotyping to examine whether variants of concern had different host ACE2 receptor usage patterns.

29 Nov 2021

Tomosyn protein's key contribution to heterogeneity of neurons revealed

The versatility of the nervous system comes from not only the diversity of ways in which neurons communicate in circuits, but also their "plasticity," or ability to change those connections when new information has to be remembered, when their circuit partners change, or other conditions emerge.

29 Nov 2021

Study uncovers mechanism for insensitivity to key antimalarial drug in new pathogen variant

Malaria is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases. The causative pathogens are microorganisms of the genus Plasmodium.

29 Nov 2021

Immunity found 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection in children

A new study suggests that infection-induced antibodies persist, providing protection for at least six months.

29 Nov 2021

Study reveals a previously unknown mechanism for pancreatic cancer metastasis

Pancreatic cancer is very aggressive and, unfortunately, has a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival of only 5%. Most deaths related to pancreatic cancer are due to metastasis, which occurs when the tumour invades other organs.

29 Nov 2021

Do we need COVID-19 vaccine boosters?

An article published recently in the Journal of Virology explored the science behind COVID-19 vaccine boosters.

29 Nov 2021

Immunogenicity of modified microparticle-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

Researchers investigated the immunogenicity of a novel adjuvant comprised of a modified porous silicon microparticle for the SARS-CoV-2 S protein RBD subunit vaccine.

29 Nov 2021

Study suggests making COVID vaccines based on Mu variant

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Mu variant (B.1.621, B.1.621.1) has been tagged as a Variant Being Monitored (VBM), and as of August 30, 2021, it had been detected in 39 countries.

28 Nov 2021

Identifying the spread of novel B.1.1.523 SARS-CoV-2

In their recent study, researchers from Lithuania have reported the emergence of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant lineage B.1.1.523 containing a set of mutations associated with immune escape, including deletion 156_158del, substitution E484K and S494P in Spike (S) protein.

28 Nov 2021

Study shows plasmacytoid dendritic cells may be a viable target for protection against SARS-CoV-2

A recent research paper by scientists from Denmark reveals that circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells may be a potential therapeutic target to maintain desired levels of an antiviral compound known as interferon, allowing for the mitigation of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severity. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server while it undergoes peer review.

28 Nov 2021