Amino Acid News and Research

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Amino Acid is one of several molecules that join together to form proteins. There are 20 common amino acids found in proteins.

Inflammation may contribute to the persistence of C. diff infection, shows study

A new study from North Carolina State University shows that the inflammation caused by Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection gives the pathogen a two-fold advantage: by both creating an inhospitable environment for competing bacteria and providing nutrients that enable C. diff to thrive.

19 Jan 2021

Genomics reveals distinct patterns of emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike variants in Columbus, Ohio

Recently researchers from the United States reported the results of a SARS‐CoV‐2 genomic surveillance conducted between April 2020 and January 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. Their work is released as a preprint on the bioRxiv server.

18 Jan 2021

About 60 percent of SARS-CoV-2 cases in England tied to new variant by the end of December

One new SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, called 202012/01, started to spread in England in late October. A new study published on the pre-print server medRxiv found that 60 percent of daily COVID-19 cases screened by the Alderley Park Lighthouse Labs were tied to 202012/01, also known as lineage B.1.1.7 or 20B/501Y.V1. This suggests a rapid spread of the new variant across the country.

18 Jan 2021

Study reveals new way to target cancer’s nutritional needs

Scientists discover a way to target cancer’s nutritional needs, which could lead to a new way to treat the disease, according to a study published in Nature Communications today (Thursday).

18 Jan 2021

New SARS-CoV-2 variant emerges in the U.S.

Even as the rollout of vaccines all over the world brings a glimmer of hope that the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may end in the near future, new variants continue to emerge, some with the potential to escape vaccine-induced or therapeutic antibodies. Now, a new preprint research paper published on the bioRxiv server describes a new American variant that may have become the dominant strain in the USA.

18 Jan 2021

Certain snakes evolve a unique genetic trick to avoid venomous snake-eating snakes

Certain snakes have evolved a unique genetic trick to avoid being eaten by venomous snakes, according to University of Queensland research.

15 Jan 2021

Severe COVID-19 linked to genetic make-up of both host and virus, say researchers

A recent study conducted by a team of international scientists has revealed that the infectivity and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 strongly depend on the genetic background of both the virus and the host.

15 Jan 2021

Newly discovered biochemical pathway can protect cells from ferroptosis

The hallmarks of cancer include rapid cell-reproduction and metabolic activity. But these processes also lead to increased cellular stress and oxidation, and the risk of cell death.

15 Jan 2021

Scientists discover genetic variations that have a drastic impact on small molecules

The human organism requires a variety of small molecules, such as sugars or fats, in order to function properly.

14 Jan 2021

Researchers map genetic changes that may have facilitated SARS-CoV-2’s jump from bats to humans

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the Pirbright Institute in the UK have identified key genetic changes in SARS-CoV-2 that may be responsible for the virus’s jump from bats to humans. The team also determined which animals contain cellular receptors that allow the virus to enter cells more effectively, zoning in on potential animals that acted as an intermediary host in facilitating SARS-CoV-2’s zoonosis.

13 Jan 2021

New N501 SARS-CoV-2 mutation may have been circulating in Italy since August 2020

A recent study shows that mutated SARS-CoV-2 strains with a substitution at position 501 might have circulated unnoticed even before the end of September 2020, when the rapid emergence of B.1.1.7 lineage (carrying the N501Y mutation) was initially reported.

13 Jan 2021

Biologists reveal unusual structure of coronavirus protein linked to immune evasion

A team of HIV researchers, cellular biologists, and biophysicists who banded together to support COVID-19 science determined the atomic structure of a coronavirus protein thought to help the pathogen evade and dampen response from human immune cells.

13 Jan 2021

Structure of SARS-CoV-2 cytoplasmic tail uncovered

The virus's cytosolic tail also interacts with the host cell to promote its entry into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A new study appearing on the bioRxiv preprint server elucidates the conformation of this region of the virus, which will help understand how its form is related to its function in viral entry.

12 Jan 2021

Researchers determine the atomic structure of protein that helps coronavirus to evade immune cells

12 Jan 2021

ARID1A gene in ovarian cancer plays a role in the regulation of metabolism

Mutations that inactivate the ARID1A gene in ovarian cancer increase utilization of the glutamine amino acid making cancer cells dependent on glutamine metabolism, according to a study by The Wistar Institute published online in Nature Cancer.

12 Jan 2021

Researchers pinpoint spike protein regions as targets for passive and active COVID-19 vaccines

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified regions of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that have relatively few mutations and might therefore serve as important targets for prophylactic agents against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

10 Jan 2021

ACE2 receptor is responsible for the wide host range of SARS-CoV-2

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is thought to have a zoonotic origin, perhaps originating in a bat coronavirus with an unknown intermediate host. It is not only very infectious but has been found to infect a wide range of mammals, including dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, and minks, besides non-human primates. This range may be still higher, claims a recent preprint that appeared in January 2021 on the bioRxiv server.

6 Jan 2021

Neutralization antibodies affected by only a few mutations to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain

In a recent bioRxiv* preprint paper, US researchers mapped in detail how mutations to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affected antibody binding in convalescent human serum – and revealed that it is influenced by mutations at only a handful of dominant epitopes.

6 Jan 2021

Novel drug may help treat osteoporosis, shows study

A novel form of a drug used to treat osteoporosis that comes with the potential for fewer side effects may provide a new option for patients.

6 Jan 2021

Researchers develop α-emitting cancer therapy using a novel drug targeting LAT1

A cancer-specific L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is highly expressed in cancer tissues.

4 Jan 2021

Amino Acid News and Research

Further Reading

Inflammation may contribute to the persistence of C. diff infection, shows study

Genomics reveals distinct patterns of emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike variants in Columbus, Ohio

About 60 percent of SARS-CoV-2 cases in England tied to new variant by the end of December

Study reveals new way to target cancer’s nutritional needs

New SARS-CoV-2 variant emerges in the U.S.

Certain snakes evolve a unique genetic trick to avoid venomous snake-eating snakes

Severe COVID-19 linked to genetic make-up of both host and virus, say researchers

Newly discovered biochemical pathway can protect cells from ferroptosis

Scientists discover genetic variations that have a drastic impact on small molecules

Researchers map genetic changes that may have facilitated SARS-CoV-2’s jump from bats to humans

New N501 SARS-CoV-2 mutation may have been circulating in Italy since August 2020

Biologists reveal unusual structure of coronavirus protein linked to immune evasion

Structure of SARS-CoV-2 cytoplasmic tail uncovered

Researchers determine the atomic structure of protein that helps coronavirus to evade immune cells

ARID1A gene in ovarian cancer plays a role in the regulation of metabolism

Researchers pinpoint spike protein regions as targets for passive and active COVID-19 vaccines

ACE2 receptor is responsible for the wide host range of SARS-CoV-2

Neutralization antibodies affected by only a few mutations to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain

Novel drug may help treat osteoporosis, shows study

Researchers develop α-emitting cancer therapy using a novel drug targeting LAT1

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