Biochemistry

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Scientists discover structure of novel RNA-modifying enzyme

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is present in the cells of all living beings and required to synthesize proteins. A research team at the University of California, Riverside, has discovered the structure of a novel RNA-modifying enzyme, ZCCHC4, and identified the mechanism that controls how this enzyme recognizes its substrate.

6 Nov 2019

Differences between colloidal silver and ionic silver solutions

There are many differences between colloidal silver and ionic silver solutions. Philip Marshall discusses what makes these silver solutions unique.

From Pure Colloids 6 Nov 2019

The Achilles heel of APC-mutated colon tumors identified

In almost all cases of colon cancer, a specific gene is mutated – this offers opportunities to develop broadly effective therapeutic approaches. Research teams in Würzburg have taken this a step further.

5 Nov 2019

New technique uses light to control lifetime of protein inside the cell

Researchers report they have developed a new technique that uses light to control the lifetime of a protein inside the cell. This method will allow scientists to better observe how specific proteins contribute to health, development and disease.

4 Nov 2019

Scientists capture elusive cancer-related protein in action

Scientists have for the first time seen how the MYC protein, which plays a central role in cancer, binds to a key protein and controls important functions in the cell.

4 Nov 2019

How venom from marine cone snails can be used in pain therapy

Conotoxins are bioactive peptides found in the venom that marine cone snails produce for prey capture and defense.

4 Nov 2019

Properties of spider silk proteins could be selectively modified to synthesize novel biomaterials

Spider silk consists of fiber-forming proteins, stored by the spider in a specialized gland. When the spider needs silk, for instance to build a web, it extrudes the silk proteins through a long duct in which they are exposed to specific mechanical and chemical influences and assembled to form silk.

4 Nov 2019

Research could address lingering quandaries about how life began

A research team at The University of Tokyo has reproducibly synthesized staircase-like supramolecules of a single handedness, or chirality, using standard laboratory equipment.

2 Nov 2019

Risky strategy allows malaria parasite to quickly respond to unpredictable changes

The parasite that causes malaria expresses genes that code for the proteins it will need in later life stages, using two separate schemes to prevent these proteins from actually being made until they are needed, according to new research.

31 Oct 2019

Mutated version of DNA repair protein may illuminate its role in preventing cancer

Two trillion times each day, the cells in a typical human divide to replace old, damaged or dead cells. Before a cell divides, though, it makes an exact copy of its DNA, which will be passed on to the new cells.

31 Oct 2019

Mechanisms preserving cell identity are based on status of proteins housing DNA

The inheritance, not only of DNA, but of changes to proteins that package it, maintains the identity of cells as they multiply, a new study finds.

31 Oct 2019

Japanese chemists develop vicinal reaction for creating highly functionalized ketones

Organic chemists are molecular architects, designing sophisticated structures. As the molecules used in science and medicine become ever more complex, new tools are needed to piece together the building blocks.

31 Oct 2019

Researchers describe how malaria parasites prepare blueprint to attack humans

Within seconds after an infected mosquito bites, the malaria parasite navigates the host skin and blood vessels to invade the liver, where it will stay embedded until thousands of infected cells burst into the bloodstream, launching malaria's deadly blood-stage infection.

31 Oct 2019