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Tanpaku News Watch

Tanpaku News Watch aggregates news relevant to TPRP from Nature (Nature Publishing Group), Science (AAAS/Science), Chemical & Engineering News (American Chemical Society), and GenomeWeb LLC.Registration (free of charge) is necessary to access GenomeWeb Daily News and Genome Technology Online of GenomeWeb LLC.

Most Recent 5

Technique Combo Beats NMR Solo

Researchers have combined nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) with X-ray and neutron scattering to solve the largest protein solution structures to date (J. Am. Chem. Soc.)

New Type of Anti-Malarial Compound Discovered

An international team has discovered a promising new drug candidate family, spiroindolones. They obtained evidence for a decrease in drug sensitivity in strains bearing amino acid mutations in the P-type ATPase, indicating possible mechanisms of action and/or resistance (Science & J. Medicinal Chem.)

Mechanisms and Function of a Type of Mysterious Immune Cell Discovered

Lymphocytes in the skin known as γδT cells provide an important barrier against infection and injury. Two studies identified a junctional adhesion molecule, JAML, as a new costimulatory receptor for γδ T cells that binds to the ligand CAR (coxsackie and adenovirus receptor) expressed on keratinocytes. The crystal structures of CAR/JAML were reported (2 papers in Science)

Molecules Involved in 'Touch' Identified: Could Lead to New Treatments for Pain, Deafness and Cardiac Function

Researchers identified two ion channel proteins, Piezo1 (Fam38A) and Piezo2 (Fam38B) involved in the cellular response to mechanical stimulation (Science)

Why Fish Oils Work Swimmingly Against Inflammation and Diabetes

Researchers identified a G-protein receptor GPR120 on macrophages abundantly found in obese body fat. Omega-3 fatty acids activate this macrophage receptor, resulting in broad anti-inflammatory effects (Cell)

Prior Headlines

Finding Suggests New Aim for Alzheimer’s Drugs

A discovery by Paul Greengard, an 84-year-old scientist and Nobel winner, has illuminated a new direction (Nature)

Ion-pump structure linked to neurological disease

Neurological disease mutations compromise a C-terminal ion pathway in the Na+/K+-ATPase (Nature)

Bacterial charity work leads to population-wide resistance

Experiments using Escherichia coli exposed to an antibiotic show that a few drug-resistant mutants can protect the majority of the population. These resistant isolates produce the signaling molecule indole, which activates drug efflux pumps in susceptible kin (Nature)

New App Shows 2-D Structure of Thousands of RNA Molecules

Researchers used a deep-sequencing approach to determine the structure of the entire transcriptome of the yeast. The results provide interesting hints about the role of secondary structure in translation (Nature)

When It Comes to the Immune System, We're All More Alike

Researchers sequenced more than five million T-cell receptor DNA strands from each of seven healthy donors and found the strong similarity in the adaptive immune cells between different people (Science Translational Medicine)

Metal-Mining Bacteria Are Green Chemists

Researchers revealed that the common soil bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans recovers the precious metal palladium from industrial wastes by reducing palladium ion with its hydrogenase enzymes located on the surface membrane (Microbiology)

You give me fever

How the "fever molecule" interacts with its receptors is reported. These findings could potentially lead to the development of new anti-inflammatory treatments (Nature Immunology)

A new target against addiction

Inhibiting the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH-2) may have therapeutic potential against cocaine addiction (Nature Medicine)

Hydroxyurea's Revised Sickle Cell Role

Researchers determined that hydroxyurea stimulates the production of nitric oxide in red blood cells. The boost in NO increases the cells’ ability to release adenosine triphosphate, which in turn improves blood flow (Eur. J. Pharmacol.)

Human Adenovirus Structures

Human adenoviruses may be a common cause of acute infections in humans, but they can also be used as vectors for vaccine and therapeutic gene transfer. Two papers described the structure of human adenovirus using complementary techniques (2 papers in Science)

Stress Protein Hsp12 Folds to Protect Cell Membranes Against Leaks and Ruptures

Hsp12 of S. cerevisiae is upregulated several 100-fold in response to stress. Researchers revealed that normally unfolded within the yeast cell's aqueous cytosol, Hsp12 folds into helical structures to stabilize the cell membrane against heat shock and other kinds of stress (Molecular Cell)

Novel Mechanism Protects Plants Against Freezing

Researchers described how a gene SENSITIVE TO FREEZING 2 (SFR2), which encodes a galactolipid remodeling enzyme, leads to the formation of a lipid that protects chloroplast and plant cell membranes from freeze damage in Arabidopsis (Science)

Advanced Melanoma: New Targeted Therapy Successful in More Than 80 Percent of Patients

In more than half of all melanomas, the BRAF mutation keeps the protein constantly activated and driving cell growth. Use of an experimental targeted drug PLX4032, an inhibitor of the BRAF protein, was successful in a phase 1 clinical trial (New England Journal of Medicine)

Growing Drought-Tolerant Crops Inching Forward

Pyrabactin, a synthetic chemical that mimics a key stress hormone Abscisic acid (ABA), led to the discovery of a 14-member family of ABA receptors. Researchers compared the crystal structures of multiple ABA receptors in complex with pyrabactin (2 papers in Nature Struct. Molec. Biol.)

Structure of RCC1 chromatin factor bound to the nucleosome core particle

Researchers solved the crystal structures of the protein RCC1 (regulator of chromosome condensation, a protein critical for proper separation of chromosomes during cell division) bound to the nucleosome (Nature)

Double Scissor Movement in Anti-Stress Protein Hsp90

Researchers uncovered that the dimer of Hsp90 (heat shock protein) opens and closes in a scissors-like manner at the C terminal as well as the N terminal (PNAS)

Broad changes in protein phosphorylation induced by plant hormone abscisic acid

Researchers found that 50 different phosphopeptides had their phosphorylation state significantly altered by abscisic acid (ABA) (PNAS)

Breast cancer protein is finally purified

Isolation of BRCA2 could help understanding of cancer risk and aid drug screening (Nature & 2 papers in Nature Struct. Molec. Biol.)

Antidepressant's Unusual Speed Explained

Ketamine, which can overcome depression in hours, stimulates rapid synapse formation (Science)

Smart Fungus Disarms Plant, Animal and Human Immunity

The fungus Cladosporium fulvum causes leaf mould on tomato plants. One of the ways tomato plants sense infections is by detecting chitin, a component of fungal cell walls. Researchers reported that the effector protein Ecp6 of the fungus mediates virulence through perturbation of chitin-triggered host immunity (Science)

Shellfish-Borne Bacterial Protein Disrupts Host Cell Membrane Integrity

The marine bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus causes gastroenteritis in humans. Researchers found that its effector protein VPA0450 is a phosphatase and hydrolyzes a phosphate from the plasma membrane phospholipid that is critical to holding the cell together (Science)

Structure of Torque Ring of Flagellar Motor

The bacterial flagellar motor drives the rotation with the direction regulated by the flagellar switch complex. The structure of a ring-shaped protein FliG, one of its component, has been determined (Nature)

Propionyl-coenzyme A carboxylase structure

The mitochondrial biotin-dependent enzyme propionyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (PCC) is essential for the catabolism of several amino acids, cholesterol and some fatty acids. The structures of the α6β6 dodecamer of PCC have been determined (Nature)

Doubt on Tactic in Alzheimer’s Batttle

The failure of a promising Alzheimer’s drug in clinical trials highlights the gap between diagnosis - where real progress has recently been made - and treatment of the disease.

Sharing of Data Leads to Progress on Alzheimer’

No one would own the data. No one could submit patent applications. ANDI (Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative) is bearing fruit with a wealth of recent scientific papers on the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s using methods like PET scans and tests of spinal fluid.

Nickel allergy tracked to a single receptor

Molecular pathway reveals why allergen triggers reaction in humans but not in mice (Nature Immunology)

Structural Basis for Biosynthesis of Mysterious 21st Amino Acid

Researchers determined the crystal structures of the archaeal selenocysteine-specific tRNA – protein kinase (PTSK) complex to elucidate the mechanism essential for the UGA-specific encoding of selenocysteine (Molecular Cell)

A Gut Feeling

Special immune controls are necessary in the gut to prevent the immune system from reacting to the commensal microbiota and dendritic cells (DCs) are important for maintaining gut tolerance. Researchers found that β-catenin dependent signaling is required for DC-mediated gut tolerance in mice (Science)

Salmonella: Bad for Food, Good for Fighting Cancer?

Researchers described a mechanism for spurring successful antitumor responses by enhancing the transfer of tumor-specific antigens to antigen-presenting dendritic cells induced by Salmonella infection of the melanoma tumor (Sci. Transl. Med.)

NIGMS ‘Glue Grant’ Creates International Team to Study Membrane Proteins

NIGMS will fund the project totaling $22.5 million over 5 years. The project, called the Membrane Protein Structural Dynamics Consortium, includes investigators from 14 institutions in four different countries.

August 10, 2010,NIGMS Announcement,

Widespread Protein Aggregation as an Inherent Part of Aging in C. elegans

Do normal proteins form insoluble clumps when normal, healthy individuals age? Researchers identified roughly 700 proteins in a C. elegans worm that become insoluble as the animal ages (PLoS Biology)

Nitrogenase Makes Hydrocarbons

Vanadium nitrogenase, which catalyzes the conversion of nitrogen to ammonia, can also reduce carbon monoxide to form ethylene, ethane, and propane (Science)

Inhibitor Targets Glycoprotein Of Unknown Structure

Fragment-based drug discovery, combinatorial chemistry, and in situ click chemistry have been teamed together to rapidly identify a carbohydrate-like inhibitor for a key glycoprotein of unknown structure (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.)

Iron Balance (1): Ferroportin in Breast Cancer Progression and Prognosis

Ferroportin, the exporter of intracellular non–heme-associated iron, is a pivotal protein in breast biology and a strong and independent predictor of prognosis in breast cancer (Science Transl. Med.)

Iron Balance (2): Proteins That Ensure Iron Supply and Demand

Researchers found that a group of proteins named iron regulatory proteins(IRPs) secure mitochondrial iron sufficiency and function (Cell Metabolism)

Image of New Antibiotic in Action

The topoisomerase enzyme helps DNA to replicate and is a vital part of the bacteria's inner workings. Researchers captured a snapshot of the new antibacterial compound latched on to the enzyme and prevents it from performing its function (Nature)

Video Game Helps Solve Protein Structures

"Human computers" outwit a supercomputer in solving a tricky biological problem (Nature)

Cells Use Water in Nano-Rotors to Power Energy Conversion

Researchers have provided the atomic-level glimpse of the rotor element, called the c-ring of Bacillus, the turbine of the ATP synthase (PLoS Biology)

No cycling in malaria parasite

The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is a central hub of carbon metabolism, connecting glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, respiration, amino-acid synthesis and other biosynthetic pathways. TCA metabolism in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is shown to be largely disconnected from glycolysis, and is organized along fundamentally different lines (Nature)

Cellular Housekeeper Enzyme Caught in Action

Tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPP II), the largest known eukaryotic protease (6 MDa), cleaves tripeptides from the N termini of longer peptides. Researchers applied a hybrid approach combining X-ray crystallography and single-particle cryo-EM to generate a structural model of the TPP II (Nat Struct Mol Biol.)

Helicobacter pylori Targets Tumor-Suppressor Protein

A virulence protein CagA produced by Helicobacter pylori targets a host tumor suppressor protein RUNX3 for proteasome-mediated degradation (Oncogene)

Cellular suicide spurs cancer

New role for protein 'suicide switch' in aiding and abetting cancer. Two studies look at the role of a protein PUMA, which triggers cell death in response to damaged DNA. PUMA is activated by the tumour-suppressor protein p53, sometimes called 'the guardian of the genome' (2 papers in Genes Dev.)

Feeling the shapes of molecules

The atomic structure of an alkaloid can be revealed by atomic force microscopy (Nature Chemistry)

Protein mapping gains a human focus

Next phase of the US Protein Structure Initiative enlists biologists to help crack tough human receptors

ADAM10 Protein: New Approach to Alzheimer’s Therapy

ADAM10 acts like a pair of molecular scissors to cut the amyloid precursor protein (APP) from which beta-amyloid is formed, effectively preventing the formation of beta-amyloid (EMBO J.)

Microbial Biosynthesis of Alkanes

Researchers describe an alkane biosynthesis pathway in cyanobacteria that converts intermediates of fatty acid metabolism to alkanes and alkenes (Science)

Protein Complex Reveals Molecular Mechanism of Innate Immune Response

Researchers provide the detailed framework for understanding the architecture of RAR1- SGT1-HSP90 protein complexes, whose role in immune defense is shared in both plants and animals (Molecular Cell)

Clocking on to diabetes

During periods of feeding, pancreatic islets secrete insulin to maintain glucose homeostasis — a rhythmic process that is disturbed in people with diabetes. Researchers demonstrated that a local tissue clock integrates circadian and metabolic signals in pancreatic β-cells (Nature)

Leap Forward in Efforts to Develop Treatments for Huntington's Disease

Scientists have discovered that a family of enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), is involved in the breakdown of proteins that modify the production of toxic fragments that lead to the pathology of Huntington's disease (Neuron)

'Spontaneous generation' of prions observed

Steel wires 'catalyze' appearance of rogue proteins from healthy brain tissue (PNAS)

Obscure Immune Cells Thwart Ticks

New technique for deleting cells allows researchers to pin down their function (J. Clinical Investigation)

Metalloproteins' Ranks Swell

Rather than purifying proteins and seeing what metals they contain, researchers purified metal peaks and then tried to see what proteins were associated with the metal, demonstrating that metal-containing proteins are more diverse than thought (Nature)

Ageing cells lose protein pumps

Longevity of cells could be linked to levels of cellular pumps −multidrug resistance (MDR) transporter proteins − that get rid of toxic cell products (Nature Cell Biol.)

Legionnaire’s Disease Bacteria Tap Into the Material Transport in Immune Cells

Structural and biochemical analyses of the Legionella protein DrrA revealed that the permanent activation of a human membrane traffic regulatory protein Rab1 by DrrA could ensure its own survival (Science)

Pain Relief From Snail Spit

By linking the N-terminus of α-conotoxin Vc1.1 − a compound derived from Conus victoriae −to its C-terminus, researchers could make the 16-residue peptide orally active (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.)

Link Between Metabolic Disease, Bone Mass; Breakdown of Bone Keeps Blood Sugar in Check

Two new studies revealed that insulin signaling in bone favors whole-body glucose homeostasis by activating a bone-derived hormone osteocalcin (2 papers in Cell)

SIRT1 (sirtuin1): Protein Linked to Aging Also Linked to Alzheimer's

Researchers showed that sirtuin 1, a protein previously implicated in the aging process, activates the production of an enzyme that cleaves amyloid precursor proteins (APPs) into harmless fragments instead of the Alzheimer's-associated amyloid peptides (Cell)

SIRT1 (sirtuin1): Protein Important for Memory

Two new studies revealed that mice lacking the protein sirtuin 1 exhibited impaired memory and learning (Nature & J. Neuroscience)

Diabetes drugs offered fresh start

As FDA advisers vote for restrictions on Avandia, researchers reveal a way to make such drugs safer (Nature)

Sex pheromones: grounds for separation

Variation in a fatty-acyl reductase gene essential for pheromone biosynthesis in a moth accounts for the phenotypic variation in female pheromone production, leading to race-specific signals (Nature)

Sugar Derivative Solidifies Oil

Gelation process could turn spilled oil into skimmable fat for easy cleanup (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.)

Identification of a protein required for cellulose biosynthesis

Researchers identified cellulose synthase-interactive protein 1 (CSI1) associated with cellulose synthase (CESA) isoforms and involved in primary plant cell wall synthesis (PNAS)

Gut Bacteria Affect Multiple Sclerosis

Researchers demonstrated a connection between multiple sclerosis (MS) and gut bacteria. When germ-free mice are colonized with symbiotic segmented filamentous bacteria, Th17 cell differentiation is induced in the gut, which in turn promotes an animal model for MS (PNAS)

What Protects Farm Children from Hay Fever?

Researchers have isolated the substance in cowshed dust that possibly protects farm children from developing allergies - namely the plant polysaccharide arabinogalactan (Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology)

New Toxin May Be Key to MRSA Severity

A research project to identify all the surface proteins of methicillin-resistant form of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has resulted in the identification and isolation of a novel leukotoxin proteins (PLoS ONE)

Nature's Insect Repellents Discovered

Researchers identified two hydrocarbons, n-heneicosane and n-tricosane, emitted by backswimmers (mosquito predators) that make the mosquitoes less inclined to lay eggs. The findings may lead to practical applications for repelling disease-carrying insects (Ecology Letters)

Mystery RNA spawns gene-activating peptides

Short peptides that regulate fruitfly development are produced from 'junk' RNA (Science)

Biochemistry: Reengineering Enzymes

Two different approaches show how enzymes can be engineered to make them part of the organic chemist's toolkit (2 papers in Science)

Kidney Disease Is Parasite-Slaying Protein's Downside

Researchers describe two genetic variations that can lead to kidney shutdown but may also fend off a microorganism that causes sleeping sickness in thousands of people in Africa (Science)

A new world of bacterial viruses in our intestines

Researchers report that the composition of virus populations inhabiting the tail ends of healthy intestines is unique to each individual and stable over time (Nature)

The ribosome in motion

Researchers have processed 1.9 million single-particle electron cryomicroscopy images of the ribosome to visualize these dynamic changes. They conclude that the conformational changes are thermally driven (or 'Brownian') and that they cause directed movement of transfer RNAs on a narrow path through the ribosome (Nature)

A force of nature: n→π* interaction

A careful comparison of computational analysis and high-resolution crystal structures indicates that the an intimate interaction between backbone amides arises from the delocalization of a lone pair of electrons (n) from an oxygen atom to the antibonding orbital (π*) of the subsequent carbonyl group (Nature Chemical Biology)

GPCR assembles in view

The development of improved fluorescent ligands for time-resolved spectroscopy confirms the existence of GPCR dimers and oligomers in native tissue (Nature Chemical Biology)

The Vaccine That Came In From the Cold

By replacing essential genes in a mammalian pathogen with their counterparts from Arctic bacteria, researchers have created strains that provoke a protective immune response in mice - but that don't spread to the warm parts of the body where they could do serious harm (PNAS)

Antibodies Found That Prevent Most HIV Strains from Infecting Human Cells

NIH researchers reported the discovery of exceptionally broadly neutralizing antibodies called VRC01 and VRC02 to HIV and the structural analysis of VRC01 in complex with HIV-1 gp 120 core that explains how they work (2 papers in Science)

Antibody May Help Treat and Prevent Influenza Outbreaks

Researchers have discovered a monoclonal antibody with the extended breadth of activity against multiple, genetically distinct strains - "Avian" H5N1, seasonal H1N1 and the 2009 "Swine" H1N1 influenza (PLoS Pathogen)

BK Channel Cytoplasmic Domain

BK potassium ion channels comprise an integral membrane pore, an integral membrane voltage sensor domain, and a large cytoplasmic region that confers Ca2+ sensitivity. The crystal structure of the cytoplasmic domain of the human BK channel has been determined (Science)

Identification of a pheromone regulating caste differentiation in termites

Researchers have found a combination of two chemical compounds in a pheromone emitted by egg-laying female neotenics known as secondary queens can inhibit other termites from developing into new queens (PNAS)

Offsetting the Cost of Parasitism

Researchers discovered that a species of Spiroplasma bacterium that is found in flies, and that is transmitted from mother to offspring, protects its host from the effects of a nematode worm parasite. The worm sterilizes the female flies, but when flies were infected with Spiroplasma, their fertility was rescued (Science)

Potassium channels: the active-to-inactive switch

Researchers solved the X-ray crystal structures of the K+ channel KcsA to elucidate its C-type inactivation originating from conformational transitions at the selectivity filter (2 papers in Nature)

Esterase defect causes autoimmunity

The enzyme sialic acid acetylesterase (SIAE) is involved in B-cell activation and is required for the maintenance of immunological tolerance in mice. A sequencing study shows that rare, inherited and functionally defective variants in the SIAE gene associate with a variety of autoimmune diseases in humans (Nature)

Uncapping the Mystery Behind the Mechanism of Cap Removal from Actin Filaments

Japanese researchers have presented the X-ray crystal structures of the actin capping protein (CP) complexed with its inhibitor proteins, V-1 and CARMIL, and demonstrated that the two regulators modulate the filament capping activity in very different manners (PLoS Biol.)

Structure of the cell-entry protein complex from herpes virus

Researchers revealed the unusual structure of the glycoprotein complex that allows a herpes simplex virus type 2 to invade cells (Nat Struct Mol Biol.)

SIRT1 Enzyme Must Exist in Specific Brain Cells to Prevent Diet-Induced Obesity

POMC(proopiomelanocortin) neurons are found in the hypothalamus region of the brain and are known to play an important role in suppressing appetite and inducing weight loss. Researchers showed that SIRT1 deacetylase in POMC neurons is required for preventing diet-induced obesity (Cell Metabolism)

X-Ray Laser Resurrects a Laboratory No Longer in the Vanguard

The outdated particle accelerator at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, Calif., was converted into the world’s brightest X-ray laser.

Architecture of the Largest Protein Complex of Cellular Respiration Elucidated

The structural model of mitochondrial complex I (NADH dehydrogenase) provides new insights in energy conversion at nanoscale. A molecular coupling device links pump modules in the membrane arm of the huge enzyme complex (Science)

Scientists Cite Fastest Case of Human Evolution

Biologists found that at least 30 genes had undergone change as Tibetans adapted to life on the high plateau (2 papers in Science and one in PNAS)

Driven to tears: TPRP Research Advance

TPRP researchers have shown that the ESP1 peptide secreted in male tears makes females sexually receptive, and have identified its specific vomeronasal receptor (V2Rp5) (Nature)

Shaping Up Protein NMR

Techniques borrowed from solid-state NMR sharpen proteins' broadened spectral lines (J. Amer. Chem. Soc.)

Genetic Code 2.0: Novel Artificial Proteins for Industry and Science

Researchers were able to integrate three different synthetic amino acids into one protein in a single experiment (Angew. Chem.)

A protein map of autophagy

A proteomic analysis of the autophagy interaction network in human cells reveals a network of 751 interactions among 409 candidate interacting proteins, with extensive connectivity among subnetworks (Nature)

Different Amide Biosynthesis Route

Biosynthesis: ATP-independent pathway could be used to tailor natural products for use as drugs. In the newly discovered pathway, carboxylate activation is due to S-adenosylmethionine instead of ATP (Nat. Chem. Biol.)

Crystal Growth In Retrospect

Just as tree rings reveal the secrets of a tree’s growth, a new technique that involves peering at a crystal’s cross section permits researchers to follow the growth of a crystal retrospectively (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.)

Gestational Diabetes Linked to Serotonin and Dietary Protein

The cause of diabetes during pregnancy is directly controlled by serotonin, a chemical produced by the body and normally known as a neurotransmitter, and is influenced by the amount of protein in the mother's diet early in pregnancy (Nature Medicine)

Temporal Tomography

Researchers have adapted an ultrafast electron microscope to perform tomography with subpicosecond resolution (Science)

Recipe for Disease: A Gene and a Virus

Finding in mice helps explain how genes and environment can interact to produce chronic diseases (Science)

The genome's shield from sunlight

Enzyme (DNA polymerase eta) structure reveals how cells avoid DNA damage caused by ultraviolet rays (2 papers in Nature)

New Method of Peptide Synthesis

The new approach addresses one of the key limitations of current methods of peptide synthesis: the difficulty of incorporating non-natural amino acids (Nature)

Plastic Antibodies in Live Organisms

Researchers have developed the first "plastic antibodies" to match and encase melittin, a peptide in bee venom that causes cells to rupture, releasing their contents through the bloodstream of mice (J. Amer. Chem. Soc.)

Drugmakers Share Data

Collaboration: A collection of Alzheimer’s disease trial results could speed drug development (Coalition Against Major Diseases)

New Strategy to Target BCL2 Family Proteins

MCL-1, which is emerging as a critical survival factor in a broad range of human cancers, belongs to the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) family. X-ray crystallography and mutagenesis studies revealed that the MCL-1 BH3 helix is itself a potent and exclusive MCL-1 inhibitor (Nat. Chem. Biol.)

Trojan Horse For B-Cell Lymphoma

Drug Delivery System: Chemical synthesis yields agents that target cancer cells. B cells bind sialic acid-based ligands on doxorubicin-armed liposomes, which kill the cells (Blood)

Protein Identified That Modulates Metabolic Dysfunction in Obesity

Adipose tissue secretes a variety of cytokines, referred to as adipokines. Researchers discovered that Sfrp5, secreted frizzled-related protein 5, is an anti-inflammatory adipokine in animal models of obesity and type 2 diabetes (Science)

Structural biology: Immunity takes a heavy Toll

Toll receptors trigger immune responses through adaptor proteins and kinase enzymes. Structural studies reveal that hierarchical assembly of these proteins into a helical tower initiates downstream signaling events (Nature)

Gene linked to autoimmune diseases

Differences in the sequence of a single gene, which codes for an enzyme sialic acid acetylesterase (SIAE) that regulates the immune system's B cells, may be partly responsible for causing around 2% of relatively common autoimmune disorders including diabetes and arthritis (Nature)

Hormone Influences Sensitivity to Sweetness

Glucagon, a peptide hormone secreted by the pancreas, raises blood glucose levels in opposition to insulin. A team found that glucagon and its receptor are expressed in mouse taste receptor cells and influence the taste system's sensitivity to sweetness (FASEB J.)

Fundamental Processes in Endosomal / Lysosomal Function and Protein Degradation

Researchers showed that the functions of endosomes and lysosomes not only depends on the pH, but also on chloride ion accumulation in their interior (2 papers in Science)

Key Anti-HIV Antibody Analyzed

Structure revives hopes for an effective AIDS vaccine (PNAS & J. Virol.)

How Mutations in Presenilin Gene Cause Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease

Researchers reported that lysosomal proteolysis and autophagy require presenilin 1 and are disrupted by Alzheimer-related PS1 mutations (Cell)

Better Rice Through Fungi

A bit of fungal cultivation helps rice plants grow up to five times as fast (Current Biology)

Collagen Manufactured from Transgenic Tobacco Plant

A team has succeeded in producing a replica of human collagen with the co-expression all the five essential genes in transgenic tobacco plants (Biomacromolecules)

Polyphenols in Red Wine and Green Tea Halt Prostate Cancer Growth

Researchers showed that the inhibition of the sphingosine kinase-1/sphingosine 1-phosphate (SphK1/S1P) pathway was essential for green tea and wine polyphenols to kill prostate cancer cells (FASEB J.)

Insight Into Structure of HIV Protein Could Aid Drug Design

A team solved the crystal structure of the HIV protein called Tat complexed with the human protein (P-TEFb) that the virus hijacks during infection (Nature)

Palm-Size NMR

The portable but powerful magnet could be used in doctors' offices to spot blood clots, bacteria, or cancer proteins in a patient's blood (Angew Chem Int Ed Engl)

X-Ray Diffraction Microscope Reveals 3-D Internal Structure of Whole Cell

A team has reported the quantitative 3-D imaging of a whole, unstained cell at a resolution of 50 to 60 nanometers using X-ray diffraction microscopy (PNAS)

Plant memory in changing and fluctuating climates

Researchers measured the internal state of plants by quantifying the expression level of a flowering-time gene called FLC of Arabidopsis halleri, showing that the regulatory network of the FLC stores the information of temperatures over the past six weeks (PNAS)

June 7, 2010,Press release from U. Zurich,

New Molecular Way To Combat The Flu

Researchers have uncovered a new protein target, nucleoprotein, for treating influenza A, along with a small molecule that prevents viral replication by blocking the protein (Nature Biotechnology)

Metabolites Turn On Pathogen's Virulence

A new report p reveals that pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus bacteria use nonribosomal peptide secondary metabolites called aureusimines to attack humans. Finding chemicals that block aureus¬imine production could lead to new antibiotics against this widespread pathogen (Science)

Gates Open on Understanding Potassium Channel Controls

A team determined that once the conformation of a regulatory domain - which is the part of the potassium channel that sits inside the cell - changes, it allows the ion selectivity filter to act as an on/off switch (Cell)

The Dilemma of Plants Fighting Infections

A group has tracked down a variant of the ACD6 gene in Arabidopsis, which functions as a universal weapon in the fight against predators, but at the same time it slows down the production of leaves and limits the size of leaves, so that these plants are always smaller than those that do not have this variant (Nature)

Plants Spice Up Their Sex Life With Defensin

Researchers showed that special forms of defensins are released by the egg apparatus in maize to open up potassium-ion channels in the pollen tube resulting in an explosive release of male sperm cells (PLoS Biology)

Peaches, Plums Induce Deliciously Promising Death of Breast Cancer Cells

Researchers have identified peach and plum polyphenols with chemopreventive potential against estrogen-independent breast cancer cells (J. Agric. Food Chem.)

New Way to Fluorescently Label Proteins

Researchers designed a new way to overcome the disadvantages of bulky GFP in which a fluorophore ligase attaches a blue fluorescent probe to the short tag on the target protein (PNAS)

Fruitfly larvae smell the light

Researchers expressed one of two light-sensitive proteins instead of the normal odor receptors in an olfactory nerve of the larvae's dorsal organs so that they respond to blue light instead of smells (Front. Behav. Neurosci.)

Scientists Decipher Structure of Nature's 'Light Switch', phytochrome

Researchers have pieced together for the first time a detailed structure of a whole phytochrome (PNAS)

Protein Interactions: Similar Molecules, Opposite Effects

Researchers have solved the mystery of the opposing effects - activation and inhibition - of two similar small organic molecules on bacterial heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70), a molecular chaperone involved in protein folding and other cell functions (ACS Chem. Boil.)

How Acupuncture Pierces Chronic Pain

Needles spur release of natural pain reliever, adenosine (Nature Neuroscience)

Microbes Quickly Degrade A Popular Biofuel

Microbes hydrolyze biodiesel, a mix of fatty acid methyl esters, to generate hydrogen sulfide and organic acids which degrade steel (Energy Fuels)

New Weapon, Plectasin, Against Highly Resistant Microbes Within Grasp

Plectasin , a small protein molecule, belongs to the class of defensins which are widespread among fungi, animals and also plants. Researchers reveal that plectasin binds to a cell-wall building block called lipid II and disrupts the forming of the cell wall in bacteria (Science)

Scientists Find Bitter-Blocking Ingredient

Human bitter taste is mediated by the hTAS2R family of G protein-coupled receptors. A team employed a high-throughput screening approach to discover a novel bitter receptor antagonist (GIV3727) that inhibits six hTAS2Rs (Current Biology)

Power base: architecture of respiratory complex I

Complex I is the first enzyme of the respiratory chain, playing a central role in cellular energy production in the mitochondria by coupling electron transfer between NADH and quinone to proton translocation. The structures of the membrane domain of complex I from Escherichia coli, and of the entire complex I from Thermus thermophilus have been determined (Nature)

Signal peptide binding to SRP545

The signal recognition particle (SRP) mediates targeting of nascent proteins. Researchers reported the crystal structure of SRP54 and a signal peptide from Sulfolobus solfataricus, which reveals the mode of signal peptide recognition (Nature)

Discovery May Lead to Safer Drinking Water, Cheaper Medicine

Researchers discovered exactly how the AceK protein acts as a switch in some bacteria to bypass the energy-producing cycle that allows bacteria like E. coli and salmonella to go into a survival mode and adapt to low-nutrient environments, such as water (Nature)

Protein Regulates Enzyme Linked to Alzheimer's Disease

People with Alzheimer's disease typically have higher levels of beta-secretase 1 (BACE1 : Beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1) in their brains. A team revealed that ubiquitin regulates trafficking protein GGA3-mediated degradation of BACE1 (JBC)

Preventing Cells from Getting the Kinks out of DNA

Structural study revealed how the enzyme Type II topoisomerase binds a broken DNA strand and stitches it back together before releasing it (Nature)

Genetic Discovery Promises to Boost Rice Yields

Two groups find gene variant that boosts test plot yields by 10% (2 papers in Nature Genetics)

Colonizers give up sequence secrets

The US Human Microbiome Project has sequenced the genomes of 178 members of the community of microbes that calls the human body home (Science)

A Most Versatile Enzyme

In the Prochlorococcus genus of ocean-dwelling cyanobacteria, researchers have discovered and begun to characterize an enzyme that can loop together either a serine or a threonine with a cysteine, regardless of where those amino acids are found on peptide chains of up to 32 residues long (PNAS)

Data on Potential New Treatment Targets for Malaria Released

An international team has released data detailing the effectiveness of nearly 310,000 chemicals against a malaria parasite. They identified more than 1,100 new compounds with confirmed activity, studied 172 in detail and launched a public database to share the results (Nature)

New research identifies promising leads to follow in search for medicines to fight malaria

A screening of more than 2 million compounds in GSK’s chemical library for inhibitors of the malaria parasite identified 13,533 ‘hits’ which are accessible on public websites. More than 80% of these molecules are proprietary to GSK, and therefore the information will be new to the research community (Nature)

Kinase Target in Toxoplasma: Function and Structure

Functional and structural studies have identified the protein, calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1), from the toxoplasmosis parasite as an attractive drug target (Nature and Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol.)

Big Bang in the Protein Universe?

The work takes its inspiration from the astronomer Edwin Hubble to study protein evolution. The extrapolation of Hubble's approach to proteins shows that proteins that share a common ancestor billions of years ago continue to diverge in their molecular composition (Natrure)

Discovery of High-Affinity Protein Binding Ligands – Backwards

Rather than beginning with a protein in order to produce an antibody, the new technique involves building an antibody first. A 20-unit random sequence of amino acids are joined together to form a peptide. By uniting two of these peptide chains, a synthetic antibody, or synbody, is created, which then be screened against a multitude of proteins (PLoS ONE)

Inhibiting HIV replication by blocking protein-protein interaction between a viral protein and a cellular host factor

Interaction between the HIV-1 enzyme, integrase, and the cellular cofactor LEDGF/p75 plays a crucial role in viral integration. Researchers design small molecules which block this interaction and inhibit HIV replication, even with HIV strains that are resistant to clinically used integrase inhibitors (Nat. Chem. Biol.)

Scientists Identify Mechanism T-Cells Use to Block HIV

A team discovered that a tiny host protein prothymosin-alpha (PTMA) binds to an important cell receptor called TLR4, and stimulates these cells to produce interferon (PNAS)

Healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acid Metabolites

Researchers revealed that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) generates anti-inflammatory mediators from omega-3 fatty acids (Nat. Chem. Biol.)

The Genetics of High-Altitude Living

Two gene variants help Tibetans use oxygen more efficiently than people who live at low altitudes (Science)

The Scent That Makes Mice Run Scared

Mice are hard-wired to detect urinary proteins secreted by a wide variety of predators (Cell)

Bacterial Genes That Improve Plant Growth by 40% Identified

Researchers decoded the genome of a plant-dwelling microbe they'd previously shown could increase plant growth by 40 percent, and identified a wide range of genes that help explain this symbiotic success story (PLoS Genetics)

GM crop use makes minor pests major problem

Pesticide use rising as Chinese farmers fight insects thriving on transgenic crop (Science)

Spider silk's dual identity

Spider silk proteins They are remarkably soluble when stored at high concentration yet can convert to extremely sturdy fibres on demand. The molecular mechanism that makes this possible is not yet clear, but two structural studies provide new clues (2 papers in Nature)

New Details of Tuberculosis Protein-Cleaving Machinery Revealed

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, possesses a proteasome system to resist killing by the host immune system. The detailed assembly process and the gating mechanism of Mtb proteasome have been reported (EMBO J.)

Biomarkers for kidney damage should speed drug development

Researchers describe the validation of seven specific biomarkers for kidney damage that are found in urine. Drug-safety indicators are the first fruits of a collaboration (FDA's 2004 Critical Path Initiative) between academia, industry and regulators (4 papers in Nature Biotechnology)

X-Rays Reveal Chemical Link Between Birds and Dinosaurs

Using the bright X-ray beam of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, an international team has revealed this transformative glimpse into one of the most important fossils ever discovered: the Archaeopteryx, a half-dinosaur/half-bird species (PNAS)

Bandages For Fighting Bad Bacteria

A majority of pathogenic bacteria secrete virulence factors such as toxins and lipases that actively damage cell membranes, while nonpathogenic bacteria do not. Researchers created phospholipid vesicles filled with microbicide sodium azide (NaN3); when exposed to toxins released by pathogenic bacteria, the vesicles leak or burst (JACS)

Illuminating Tumor Cells

Diagnostics: The approach uses fluorescent imaging agents “fluorocoxibs” to signal the presence of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme produced at much higher levels in premalignant and malignant tumors than in normal tissues (Cancer Research)

Inflammation Enzyme Regulates the Production of Brown Fat Tissue

Scientists revealed that COX-2 inflammation enzyme stimulates the formation of new brown fat tissue in mice. Since brown fat tissue transforms energy into heat, mice with increased COX-2 production have a higher energy consumption and are slimmer (Science)

How Aging Damages Memory

Prior research suggested that gene expression employed for memory consolidation is partly controlled by acetylation of histones, the proteins around which DNA is wrapped. Working with mice, researchers now report that aging reduces the ability to acetylate a lysine on the H4 histone, which hampers gene expressions involved in memory formation (Science)

Peroxisomes Are Signaling Platforms for Antiviral Innate Immunity

A team revealed that the MAVS proteins on peroxisomes activated a quick antiviral immune response (Cell)

Tracking H1N1 through the Internet

HealthMap, a free online tracking system, keeps tabs on infectious disease (NEJM)

The code within the code

A team reports the first attempt to define a second genetic code: one that predicts how segments of messenger RNA transcribed from a given gene can be mixed and matched to yield multiple products in different tissues, a process called alternative splicing (Nature)

How Cells Maintain the Spatial Distribution of Peripheral Membrane Proteins

Researchers revealed that cycles of depalmitoylation and repalmitoylation critically control the steady-state localization and function of various peripheral membrane proteins, such as Ras proto-oncogene products (Cell and Nature Chemical Biology)

Mosquitoes inherit DEET resistance

Genetic trait explains how some insects are unaffected by powerful repellent (PNAS)

Scientists Resurrect Mammoth Hemoglobin

Woolly mammoth hemoglobin contains unique regions that interact with other regions to deliver oxygen at a steady rate regardless of temperature (Nature Genetics)

Transfer of Genetic Material Between Chagas Disease Causing Insect and Mammals

Researchers found evidence of horizontal transfer of transposon, a segment of DNA, from a South American blood-sucking bug and a pond snail to their hosts (Nature)

ScienceShot: Stolen Fungus Gene Turned Aphids Red

Tiny insects aphids picked up the genes needed to produce carotenoids from a fungus during their evolutionary history. That makes aphids the first animal known to produce its own carotenoids, the potent antioxidants (Science)

D-Amino Acids Dismantle Bacterial Biofilms Communities

Bacteria release amino acids with the D rather than the biologically more common L stereochemistry to break up the microbial communities they live in, commonly known as biofilms (Science)

How Vesicles Form ?: Structure of Dynamin GTPase

The structure of a fusion protein derived from Dynamin-1, the master regulator of endocytosis, has been reported (Nature)

A Clamp for Emerging Flu Viruses: Structure of Dynamin-like MX1 GTPase

Researchers have unraveled the structure of the ring-shaped oligomer of the MX1 (myxovirus resistance) protein. Components of the influenza virus are clamped by the ring leading to inhibition of virus replication (Nature)

Enzyme's Active Site Sighted

A team has solved a long-standing controversy in the field of bioinorganic chemistry about the identity and location of metal atoms in a key methane-oxidizing metalloenzyme. Methane monooxygenase may use dicopper center to make methanol (Nature)

Why Cholesterol Damages Arteries ?

Cholesterol crystals, which activate an "inflammasome" complex within the scavenger cells, lead to Life-Threatening Inflammation in Blood Vessel Walls (Nature)

Protein jab mends broken bones

Researchers found that injecting mice with cell signaling Wnts proteins packed inside lipid bubbles, or liposomes , triggers new bone growth within a few days (Science Translational Medicine)

Lensless Imaging of Whole Biological Cells With Soft X-Rays

A team has used x-ray diffraction microscopy to make images of whole yeast cells, achieving the highest resolution - 11 to 13 nanometers - ever obtained with this method for biological specimens (PNAS)

Tracking GPCR activation using non-natural amino acid probes

A new technique for tagging proteins with p-azido-L-phenylalanine revealed previously unobserved changes in the structure of rhodopsin, the light sensitive cell receptor, which is a model for G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) (Nature)

Solving A Protein Mystery

Protein Synthesis: Discovery connects transcription and translation in bacteria (Science)

How We Can Sense Temperatures: TPRV1 (capsaicin receptor)

Temperature-activated transient receptor potential ion channel TRPV1 is known to enable temperature sensation and involved in inflammation and the communication of pain to the brain. Scientists were able to identify a domain of the protein that enabled temperature sensitivity (Nature Neuroscience)

How We Can Sense Pain: TPRV1 (capsaicin receptor)

Heat generates oxidized linoleic acid metabolites that activate TRPV1 and produce pain (J. Clinical Investigation)

Long-Sought Protein Subunits of GABA-B Receptors

GABA receptors are important neurotransmitter receptors of the central nervous system. A team identified four new components of the GABA-B receptor complexes: KCTD proteins, which determine the pharmacological characteristics of the GABA-B receptors (Nature)

Project Fruit Fly: What Accounts for Insect Taste?

A report raises the possibility that a channel protein TRPA1 in sensory cells on the "tongues" of fruit flies is a new molecular target for controlling insect pests. TRPA1 responds to aristolochic acid, a naturally occurring chemical produced by plants to prevent themselves from being eaten by insects (PNAS)

New Concerns About Deadly Fungus Found in Oregon

Microbiologists uncover clues to virulence, worry about spread to neighboring regions (PLoS Pathogens)

Making more of X-ray crystallography

Researchers show that information from comparative modeling can be combined in a statistically controlled fashion with the observed diffraction data in order to achieve a structure from low-resolution diffraction data that has a similar quality as a high-resolution structure (Nature)

How FTO targets obesity

The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) protein, a DNA/RNA demethylase, is associated with increased body weight and obesity risk. Now the crystal structure of human FTO in complex with the mononucleotide 3-meT has been determined (Nature)

Key Molecular Step to Fighting Off Viruses Identified

Researchers discovered that a certain form of the "death" protein ubiquitin interacts with RIG-I, but does not mark it for destruction. Instead, this form of ubiquitin binds to and activates RIG-I, which is known to trigger the body's immune system when a virus invades a cell (Cell)

β-2 Adrenergic Receptor: Promising New Drug Target for Alzheimer's Disease

A new study found that amyloid-β binds to a different region on the β-2 adrenergic receptor than that normally engaged by neurotransmitters and hormones (FASEB Journal)

Smell Less, Live Longer

Fruit flies whose antennae lack CO2-smelling neurons live longer than flies that do (PLoS Biology)

Sweeter Enzyme Inhibitor

A novel glycosyltransferase inhibitor could aid glycobiology research and drug discovery (Nature Chemical Biology)

A Shield Against Ricin

Drug Development: Small molecule defeats potential bioterrorism agent. The compound blocks transport of ricin within a cell into the cytosol, preventing ricin from disrupting ribosomes (Cell)

Primordial Path To Painkillers

Heat stability of enzyme from Archaea microbe facilitates anti-inflammatory drug synthesis. The enzyme transforms racemic aldehyde starting materials to S alcohol NSAID precursors (JACS)

Calorie restriction: Its ability To Promote Good Health Throughout Life

Researchers review how cutting calorie intake between 10 percent and 50 percent decreases the activity of nutrient-sensing pathways involving insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), glucose and TOR (target of rapamycin), and considerably increases lifespan in animals (Science)

A single ribosome in action

Researchers have utilized single-molecule approaches with a recently developed technique known as zero-mode waveguide detection to follow binding of tRNAs to the ribosome and find that tRNA release from the E and A sites is uncoupled (Nature)

Fascin an anticancer target

Analogues of the natural product migrastatin are potent inhibitors of tumour cell migration and metastasis. X-ray crystal structural studies reveal that migrastatin analogues bind to one of the actin-binding sites on fascin (Nature)

Plant Pathogen Genetically Tailors Attacks to Each Part of Host

A tumor-causing maize fungus with the unsavory-sounding name "corn smut" wields different weapons from its genetic arsenal depending on which part of the plant it infects. The discovery marks the first time tissue-specific targeting has been found in a pathogen (Science)

Sequence Is Scaffold to Study Sleeping Sickness

A team has generated a genome sequence for the strain of Trypanosoma brucei that is responsible for human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness (PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)

DNA Analysis Suggests Whale Meat from Sushi Restaurants in L.A., Seoul Originated from Japan

An international team has uncovered an apparent illegal trade in whalemeat, linking whales killed in Japan's controversial scientific whaling program to sushi restaurants in Seoul and Los Angeles (Biology Letters)

Harnessing the Web and Supercomputers to Track Pathogens as They Evolve

Supramap (supramap.osu.edu) integrates sequences of pathogens with geographic information so that researchers can track the spread of a disease and follow the emergence of key mutations across time and space. Users can submit raw sequence data and obtain a phylogenetic tree of strains of pathogens. The resulting tree is projected onto the globe and can be viewed with Google Earth (Cladistics)

Genes Critical to Moths’ Complicated Sexual Communication and Their Evolution Uncovered

A specific small set of odorant receptor genes have been identified for the sexual isolation of male moths (PNAS)

Smoke Signals: Karrikins

Seeds sprout in the ashes of forest fires, thanks to small molecules karrikins in smoke (PNAS & J. Nat. Prod.)

Obesity Clue In View

Structural Biology: Close-up of methyl-clipping enzyme might help probe its obesity connection (Nature)

Faulty Clean-Up Process May Be Key Event in Huntington's Disease

One mechanism for cleaning up cells involves forming "membrane garbage bags" (autophagosomes) around the proteins requiring removal. A team found that the defective huntingtin proteins stick to the inner layer of autophagosomes, preventing them from gathering garbage (Nature Neuroscience)

Structurally "evasive" proteins

A group has developed a refined method to obtain structural information about intrinsically disordered proteins (JACS)

New Peptide Helps Cancer Drugs Break Into Tumors

All cancer drugs share a problem: They penetrate just a few cells into the tumor. Now a team of biologists has identified a molecule that helps cancer treatments dive deep into tumors, at least in mice (Science)

Japanese Guts Are Made for Sushi

Japanese people harbor seaweed-digesting enzymes that North Americans lack (Nature)

Lipids on the move

VEGF-B, a vascular endothelial growth factor that is highly expressed in heart, skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue, has been found to have an unexpected role in targeting lipids to peripheral tissues (Nature)

Fly Protein Tunes In To Water

A newly discovered ion channel protein that helps fruit flies sense water could help further understanding of how animals regulate water intake, an essential process for life (Nature)

Twisting Hepatitis C Out Of Commission

Structure shows how antiviral agent straightens RNA bend that virus uses to attack its hosts (PNAS)

Proteins Tied In Knots

Knots found in denatured forms of two proteins (PNAS)

The Skinny on Brown Fat

Last year, researchers made a game-changing realization: brown fat, the energy-burning stuff that keeps babies warm, isn't just for the youngest among us. Brown adipocytes are in some ways more like muscle tissue than white adipocytes (Cell Metabolism: five minireviews)

Notorious Drug Stanches Bleeding

Thalidomide eases symptoms of rare blood vessel disease (Nat Med.)

Prostate Cancer: How Two Key Proteins Interact at the Molecular Level

A team revealed that steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC3) is a preferred coactivator for androgen receptor AR and determined the crystal structures of AR-SRC3 complex (JBC)

Structure of Key Protein in Common HIV Subgroup Uncovered

Researchers reported the structure of a complex of molecules consisting of a gp120 monomer of HIV-1, a CD4 receptor, and an anti-HIV antibody known as 21c (Nat Struct Mol Biol.)

Slimming Soybeans Are on the Horizon

Researchers found that soybeans rich in beta-conglycinins limit lipid accumulation in fat cells by inhibiting an enzyme called fatty acid synthase (FEBS Journal)

Seaweed to Tackle Rising Tide of Obesity

A team found that alginate -- a natural fibre found in sea kelp -- stops the body from absorbing fat better than most anti-obesity treatments currently available over the counter (ACS Meeting)

Cranberry Juice Keeps Infections At Bay

Home remedy prevents bacteria from forming biofilms (ACS Meeting)

Science, Nature Team Up on New Journal

Merger will revolutionize scientific publishing - or no - say experts

A new antitrypanosomal

A new study validates T. brucei NMT (N-myristoyltransferase) as a viable protein target for antitrypanosomals, and a potent inhibitor with drug-like properties has been identified (Nature)

Lights, camera, action for cells

Time-lapse films reveal the functions of human genes involved in cell division

Japan's Science Budget Faces Scrutiny - Again

A Japanese cabinet member said today that research institutes will be among the targets of a new effort to identify wasteful governmental spending

How Ducks Host Influenza Unharmed?

Ducks are often resistant to influenza viruses capable of killing chickens. The influenza virus sensor, RIG-I, is found to be present in ducks and plays a role in clearing an influenza infection, whereas chickens lack RIG-I (PNAS)

Plant Hormone Jasmonic Acid Triggers Nectar Accumulation in Rapeseed Flowers

Jasmonic acid has different functions in the different plant tissues: whereas the hormone activates defense mechanisms against herbivores in the leaves and the shoot of the plant, it regulates nectar production in the flower tissue (PLoS ONE)

Scientists Reverse Alzheimer's-Like Memory Loss in Fruit Flies

β-amyloid associated with Alzheimer's disease directly increase the activity of PI3 kinase, which in turn causes memory loss and increases the accumulation of plaque in the brain (PNAS)

Single Gene Dramatically Boosts Yield, Sweetness in Tomato Hybrids

A mutation in only one copy of the florigen gene causes the hybrid to produce more flowers in less time -- the key to improved yield (Nature Genetics)

Tumors Hide out from the Immune System by Mimicking Lymph Nodes

Some tumors can secrete chemokine CCL21 to transform the outer layer of the tumor into lymphoid-like tissue (Science)

How Cells Recognize Viral Toxins

Researchers has identified how class A scavenger receptors on the surface of cells bind to a viral double-stranded RNA molecule and bring it into the cell, jumpstarting the immune response to a virus (PLoS Pathogen)

Comet crash creates potential for Life

Shock waves could force amino-acid forming chemistry

How 1918 flu antibodies fend off swine flu

Structural similarities reveal why some elderly people were spared in the recent pandemic (Science Express & Science Translational Medicine)

Plant Breeding Breakthrough: Offspring With Genes from Only One Parent

The technique could dramatically speed up the breeding of crop plants for desirable traits (Nature)

Detecting Parasites

Quick, inexpensive test uses arsenic-based dyes to identify parasitic diseases

Nanoparticle kit could diagnose disease early

Colour change shows the presence of minuscule amounts of key enzymes

Controlling HIV: Highly Promising New Compound Developed

Lectin receptor DC-SIGN on the surface of dendritic cells captures pathogens by recognizing characteristic oligosaccharides. A mimic compound of the oligosaccharides saturates the receptor, preventing HIV from using the receptor to travel to the lymphoid tissues (ACS Chem. Biol.)

Poorly Understood Cell Plays Role in Immunity Against the Flu

Researchers reveal that dendritic cells capture flu viruses and show them to B-lymphocytes that recognizes germs and launches an antibody attack (Nature Immunol.)

Bizarre models for human diseases

Plants shed light on disfigured faces, and yeast and blood vessels find common ground (PNAS)

RNA-Loaded Nanoparticles Fight Cancer

In first human trial, particles successfully reach cancer cells and silence the target gene (Nature)

New Function For tRNA

Transfer RNA keeps apoptosis in check. Binding of tRNA to cytochrome c released by a mitochondrion limits formation of a complex that promotes apoptosis (Mol. Cell)

Molecular Brake for the Bacterial Flagellar Nano-Motor

Researchers discovered that E. coli, and probably many other bacteria can actively regulate their swimming velocity in response to changing environments. This behaviour is governed by a molecular motor-brake protein (Cell)

Video: Sperm wars illuminated

Insect sperm fight one another with brute force and chemical weapons (Science)

Researchers Turn Mosquitoes Into Flying Vaccinators

Insects could theoretically protect against various diseases, but concept is unlikely to take off (Insect Mol. Biol.)

Japan Maps Out Big Science Plans

TOKYO - For the first time ever, Japanese scientists have produced a roadmap of where they see major research programs heading in the mid-term-about 10 years out

Evolution of Primordial Chemical Sensor, Nociception, Sniffed out

Chemical nociception, the detection of tissue-damaging pungent chemicals like those found in wasabi and tear gas, is triggered by a protein receptor TRPA1 conserved across ~500 million years of animal evolution (Nature)

Fruit Flies and Test Tubes Open New Window on Alzheimer's Disease

A small engineered binding protein binds with nanomolar affinity to the aggregation-prone regions of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide, preventing their aggregation into toxic forms, and it also acts to dissolve pre-formed Aβ aggregates (PLoS Biol.)

Chemical in Bananas Identified as Potent Inhibitor of HIV Infection

Researchers discovered BanLec, a lectin in bananas, can inhibit HIV infection by binding to the HIV-1 envelope protein, gp120, and blocking its entry to the body (JBC)

Researchers Solve a Molecular Mystery in Muscle

When oxygen levels are normal, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) promotes muscle cell differentiation; when oxygen levels are below normal, IGF promotes muscle cell division (PNAS)

CSI's Latest Clue - Bacteria

Unique skin microbes might allow identification of criminals (PNAS)

Freshwater Polyp Hydra Genome Sequenced

Researchers found genes linked with Huntington's disease and with the beta-amyloid plaque formation seen in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting the possible use of Hydra as a research model for these two diseases (Nature)

Snake infrared detection unravelled

Snakes can 'see' in the dark thanks to protein channels that are activated by heat from the bodies of their prey (Nature)

Unlocking the Opium Poppy's Biggest Secret: Genes That Make Codeine, Morphine

Researchers have discovered the unique genes that allow the opium poppy to make codeine and morphine, thus opening doors to alternate methods of producing these effective painkillers (Nature Chem. Biol.)

Unraveling Thalidomide's Tragic Effects

Cell Biology: Researchers discover a protein involved in causing birth defects related to the drug (Science)

Discovery of Cellular 'Switch' May Provide New Means of Triggering Cell Death, Treating Disease

Researchers found that a well-known caspase has an entirely different effect on an enzyme Dicer. When caspase cleaves Dicer, it does not kill it but instead changes its function, causing Dicer to break up chromosomes and kill the cells that house them (Science)

Barrier in Mosquito Midgut Protects Invading Pathogens

Scientists studying the Anopheles gambiae mosquito have found that the act of feeding triggers two enzymes to form a protective barrier that prevents the mosquito's immune defense system from clearing disease-causing agents that can be passed on to humans (Science)

The Mode of Action of Certain Toxins That Accumulate in Seafood

3D structures of the complexes that formed between neurotoxins and an acetylcholine- receptor revealed that each toxin inserts itself at the heart of the binding site for acetylcholine, the natural neurotransmitter of this receptor (PNAS)

Disease Cause Is Pinpointed With Genome

Two research teams have independently decoded the entire genome of patients to find the exact genetic cause of their diseases (New England Journal of Medicine and Science)

The retroviral intasome

The integrase protein of retroviruses such as HIV-1 catalyses insertion of the viral genome into the host's. The crystal structure of full-length retroviral integrase from the non-pathogenic retrovirus known as prototype foamy virus has been determined, in complex with its cognate viral DNA (Nature)

Salt to taste

Mice genetically engineered to lack the drug's target sodium channel, ENaC, in taste receptor neurons have been found to lack both salt sensing and sodium taste responses (Nature)

Plant Hormone Increases Cotton Yields in Drought Conditions

Applying naturally occurring plant hormones called cytokinins to cotton seeds or young cotton plants can increase yields 5 to 10 percent under drought conditions

Study Provides Better Understanding of How Mosquitoes Find a Host

The potentially deadly yellow-fever-transmitting mosquito detects the specific chemical structure of a compound called octenol as one way to find a mammalian host for a blood meal (PLoS ONE)

A Novel Neurotoxin from King Cobra

Snake venoms contain a rich mixture of pharmacologically active peptides and proteins. Researchers have added another member to this class of valuable peptides, providing a detailed structural and functional characterization of a novel neurotoxin from the venom of the king cobra (JBC)

March 9, 2010,JBC Papers of the Week,

Asexual Plant Reproduction May Seed New Approach for Agriculture

Researchers report that they have moved a step closer to turning sexually-reproducing plants into asexual reproducers by highlighting the role of Argonaute 9 in plant reproduction, a finding would eventually allow agricultural companies and farmers to simplify the labor-intensive cross-hybridization methods (Nature)

Potential for Using Algae to Produce Human Therapeutic Proteins Shown

Scientists picked seven proteins that were either currently being used as standard treatments for diseases or are now undergoing human clinical trials and found that the four algal-produced proteins showed biological activity comparable to the same proteins produced by traditional commercial techniques (Plant Biotechnology Journal)

New Ways to Disarm Deadly New World Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses

New World hemorrhagic fever viruses are rodent transmitted agents that cause severe disease. The structure of Machupo virus glycoprotein 1 subunit in complex with human transferrin receptor 1 is described (Nat Struct Mol Biol.)

Vitamin D Crucial to Activating Immune Defenses

The researchers found that the T cells -- the killer cells of the immune system -- rely on vitamin D in order to activate and they would remain dormant if vitamin D is lacking in the blood (Nat Immunol.)

Glycoproteins Made To Order

Chemical Biology: First homogeneous, eukaryote-type N-glycoproteins from prokaryotes (Nat. Chem. Biol.)

Intestinal Bacteria Drive Obesity and Metabolic Disease in Immune-Altered Mice

New research finds that mice lacking a gene called TLR5 have an altered ability to recognize and control bacteria in their intestines, leading them to develop obesity and insulin resistance (Science)

Protein Shown to Be Natural Inhibitor of Aging in Fruit Fly Model

Scientists showed that Sestrin, whose structure and biochemical function are conserved between flies and humans, is needed for regulation of a signaling pathway that is the central controller of aging and metabolism (Science)

Carbon-Fixing Enzymes Line Up

Blue-green algae arrange carbon fixation enzyme compartments for maximum efficiency (Science)

Wasps' Nursery Defense

Chemical Ecology: Beewolf digger wasps use bacterial antibiotics to protect the next generation (Nat. Chem. Biol.)

How the cell's powerhouses turn deadly

Mitochondria can trigger a lethal immune response after injuries (Nature)

Mitochondrial Genome Diversity Unexpectedly High, Study Finds

Researchers found variability in the mitochondrial DNA sequences within normal cells and between different tissue types from the same individual. This variation was even more pronounced in cancer cells, which contained mitochondrial mutations that could also be detected in patient blood samples (Nature)

SIRT3 regulation of fatty acid oxidation

Work in mice shows that sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), which mediates deacetylation of several mitochondrial proteins, is induced in liver and brown adipose tissue during fasting, suggesting that acetylation is a novel regulatory mechanism for fatty acid oxidation (Nature)

New Way to Control Disease-Spreading Mosquitoes: Make Them Hold Their Urine

When mosquitoes consume and process blood meals, they must urinate to prevent fluid and salt overloads for flying away. Researchers discovered a key protein expressed in the mosquito's renal system that contributes to urination (Am J Physiol)

Alzheimer's Associated Protein May Be Part of the Innate Immune System

Amyloid-beta protein - the primary constituent of the plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients - may be part of the body's first-line system to defend against infection (PLoS ONE)

Sea Squirt Offers Hope for Alzheimer's Sufferers

Researchers identified the sea squirt, our closest invertebrate relative, as a potential new resource for drug development (Disease Models & Mechanisms)

Biogenic Insecticides Decoded

Researchers report on their discovery of a new mode of action of insecticidal toxins from an Enterobacteriaceae bacterium which lives in a symbiotic relationship with nematodes (Science)

Soil bacteria could yield drug to treat roundworm

Biologists discovered that a protein from a soil bacterium used to kill insects naturally on organic crops is a highly effective treatment for intestinal parasitic roundworms (PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)

New Technique Allows Study of Protein Folding, Dynamics in Living Cells

Evidence yielded from the new method indicates that an in vivo environment strongly modulates a protein's stability and folding rate (Nat. Methods)

Lassoing Your Target

The noose that bacteria use to strangle their competitors might turn out to be a beneficial rope trick in pharmaceutical design

New Way To Screen α-conotoxins

Drug Discovery: Work could lead to medications based on these neuroactive peptides (JACS)

Barnacles Stick With Amyloid Adhesive

Traditionally associated with disease, amyloid gives the crustaceans their grip (Langmuir)

Structure Determination of Biomolecules in Their Natural Environment: Putting Pieces in Together

An Efficient Protocol for NMR-Based Structure Determination of Protein Complexes in Solution was reported (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.)

A Protein That Aids Forgetting

Neuroscience: Protein kinase Rac helps the fruit fly brain remove short-term memories (Cell)

The Philippines Triples Its Rice Yield

In the last fifty years, the Philippines has more than tripled its rice yield, while the world average rice yield has increased only about 2.3 times.

Tiny RNA Molecule With Big Implications for Life's Origins

A ribozyme -- a form of RNA that can catalyze chemical reactions -- with only five nucleotides was created (PNAS)

Tiny Tongue of a Fruit Fly Could Offer Big Clues in Fight Against Obesity

The 'clock' that influences Drosophila's decision to eat or not to eat is found inside the taste sensing cells and has a very direct link to its eating habits (Current Biology)

Sugary Boost Without The Calories

Heterocyclic compounds act on taste receptors to enhance the sweetness of sugar and artificial sweeteners (PNAS)

Flightless Mosquitoes Developed to Help Control Dengue Fever

Infected female mosquitoes transmit the virus causing dengue fever, but they are rendered flightless in a new genetically engineered strain (PNAS)

Expanding The Genetic Code

Using directed evolution, chemists have created a novel ribosome that can insert multiple unnatural amino acids into a single protein in cells (Nature and JACS)

Examining the Backbone

Researchers describe their method for determining the structure of larger proteins using NMR and backbone-only data, demonstrating the generation of accurate structures for proteins up to 25kD (Science)

Fighting Back Against a Superbug

Gram-negative Pseudomonas bacteria are opportunistic pathogens, and drug-resistant strains present a serious health problem. Researchers describe a peptidomimetic that disrupts the function of a bacterial protein LptD, which protrudes from the outside of the cell wall and is found only in Pseudomonas (Science)

Metabolic Regulation Through Acetylation

Two papers suggest that lysine acetylation may represent an important regulatory mechanism controlling the function of metabolic enzymes (Science)

To Degrade or Not to Degrade

Researchers find that acetylated N-terminal methionine is a degradation signal (degron), recognized by Doa10 ubiquitin ligase in the yeast (Science)

Dolphin 'Diabetes' Could Be Important Model for Humans

Dolphins regularly shift their blood chemistry in a way that can cause problems strikingly similar to those associated with diabetes in humans, such as insulin resistance, excess iron, and kidney stones (J. Comparative Medicine)

Vaccines that Can Beat the Heat

A new process could keep vaccines stable at tropical temperatures (Science Translational Medicine)

Conformational change in SUMO E1

Post-translational modification by ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like (Ubl) proteins such as SUMO regulate a broad array of cellular processes. The structural details of the E1 catalytic cycle have been revealed (Nature)

Discovery of the Nutrient 'Mining Machine' in Plants

Researchers discovered that a master regulatory gene called RSL4 acts like a switch; hair cells grow when the gene is turned on and growth stops when it is off (Nature Genetics)

New Weapon to Fight Disease-Causing Bacteria, Malaria Developed

Researchers report an unusual chemical reaction mechanism that allows malaria parasites to survive. The team also has developed the first potent inhibitor of this chemical reaction (PNAS)

Chickens 'One-Up' Humans in Ability to See Color

Scientists mapped five types of light receptors in the chicken's eye (PLoS One)

Butterfly Vision, Wing Colors Linked

Heliconius erato butterflies have evolved photoreceptors in their eyes for detecting UV colors and express UV-yellow pigment on their wings (PNAS)

Protein Study Shows Evolutionary Link Between Plants, Humans

Inserting a human protein important in cancer development was able to revive dying plants, showing an evolutionary link between plants and humans (Plant Physiology)

Slaying Cancer At Its Roots

Revival of classic hypothesis opens auspicious avenues to treatments

Cancer Connections Everywhere

Researchers worldwide are studying the many links between cancer and metabolism

Bacteria-Killing Proteins Cover Blood Type Blind Spot

A set of proteins found in our intestines can recognize and kill bacteria that have human blood type molecules on their surfaces (Nature Medicine)

How Cholera Bacteria Becomes Infectious

Researchers describe the structure of a protein called ToxT that controls the virulent nature of Vibrio cholerae, and were surprised to find a fatty acid buried within ToxT that appears to inhibit ToxT, which prevents the bacteria from causing cholera (PNAS)

Decoding a Second-Messenger's Message

Microorganisms can switch from a planktonic, free-swimming life-style to a sessile, colonial state, called a biofilm, which confers resistance to environmental stress. Researchers identify the transcriptional regulator VpsT from Vibrio cholerae as a master regulator for biofilm formation (Science)

What Doesn't Kill Microbes, Makes Them Stronger

Antibiotics trigger the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside bacteria, which in turn cause mutations in the bugs' DNA including some that happen to cause resistance (Molecular Cell)

Spiders Seeking Sex

Arachnid courtship pheromones point to a new class of natural products (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.)

Host factors in flu infectivity

Two genome-wide RNA interference screens identify human host factors required for influenza A virus replication. These studies should provide a number of potential targets for host factor-directed antivirals (Nature)

Genome of a model grass

Availability of the genome sequence should help establish Brachypodium, which is easily cultivated and amenable to genetic manipulation, as a model for developing new energy and food crops (Nature)

Amino acid antiporter recognition mechanisms

Some bacteria rely on the amino acid antiporter AdiC to expel protons by exchanging intracellular agmatine for extracellular arginine. Researchers solved the X-ray crystal structure of an AdiC variant bound to Arg (Nature)

Cells Send Dirty Laundry Home to Mom

Researchers have shown how newly formed yeast daughter cells transport damaged and aged proteins back to the mother cell, guaranteeing that the new cell is born young and healthy (Cell)

Beer Is a Rich Source of Silicon and May Help Prevent Osteoporosis

A new study suggests that beer is a significant source of dietary silicon, a key ingredient for increasing bone mineral density (J. Sci. Food Agric.)

Study Strengthens Alzheimer’s Link To Cholesterol

Findings on the mechanism of a cholesterol metabolism pathway could aid development of new therapeutics (PNAS)

New Kinase Matchmaker

Photoactivated ATP analog is the first phosphorylation-dependent tool for mediating kinase-substrate cross-linking (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.)

Biofilms: Discovery of a New Mechanism of Virus Propagation

Researchers have shown that certain viruses are capable of forming complex biofilm-like assemblies, similar to bacterial biofilms (Nature Medicine)

Teamwork Tackles Larger Protein Structures

Combining NMR data with computer modeling allows researchers to solve NMR structures of larger proteins (Science)

Double life of flu virus protein

The antiviral agents amantadine targets the M2 protein, a multifunctional membrane-spanning proton channel. The high-resolution structure of the M2 channel in a phospholipid bilayer, determined using solid-state NMR spectroscopy, reveals two amantadine-binding sites: one high affinity and one low (Nature)

Protease antimalarial target

The Plasmodium cells export several hundred proteins, which contain a conserved motif called PEXEL, into the host blood cell. Two independent studies reveal the identity of the enzyme that cleaves the PEXEL motif as the aspartyl protease plasmepsin V (Nature)

Bad News for Mosquitoes: Scent Receptor Research May Lead to Better Traps, Repellents

Researchers have found more than two dozen scent receptors in malaria-transmitting mosquitoes that detect compounds in human sweat (Nature)

NMR: Breaking the billion-hertz barrier

Researchers in France have switched on the world's most powerful nuclear magnetic resonance instrument.

Progesterone Proof

Natural Products: New evidence confirms suspicion that plants can also make well-known hormone (J. Nat. Prod.)

Nature launches iPhone App, signals EPUB support next

iPhone and iPod Touch users can search, browse, read and bookmark full text content from Nature and Nature News, and search PubMed.

'Broad Spectrum' Antiviral Fights Multitude of Viruses

Researchers reported a broad-spectrum antiviral compound capable of stopping a wide range of highly dangerous viruses, including Ebola, HIV, hepatitis C virus, West Nile virus, Rift Valley fever virus and yellow fever virus, among others (PNAS)

Newly Found Enzyme Degrades 8-Oxoguanine

A deaminase that converts 8-oxoG to uric acid helps explain what might happen to 8-oxoG after it is excised during DNA repair (JACS)

HIV Researchers Solve Key Puzzle After 20 Years of Trying

The three-dimensional structure of integrase bound to viral DNA has been solved using a version of integrase borrowed from a little-known retrovirus called Prototype Foamy Virus (PFV) (Nature)

WINNER OF SCIENCE PRIZE FOR ONLINE RESOURCES IN EDUCATION

Making Genetics Easy to Understand: An integral pair of Web sites - Learn.Genetics and Teach.Genetics

Britain grants patent for iPS cells

The first issued outside Japan for reprogrammable stem cells credits different Japanese inventors

Prion Diseases: No Accomplice Needed

Researchers show that misfolded proteins behind mad cow act alone (Science)

Structure of a warfarin target

Vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR) catalyses the generation of vitamin K hydroquinone, a decisive step in the vitamin K cycle that is required to sustain blood coagulation. The X-ray crystal structure of a bacterial homologue of VKOR has been determined (Nature)

Fluorinase Success

Biosynthesis: In a chemical first, an engineered microbe yields a bioactive fluorinated compound (J. Nat. Prod.)

Zebrafish Swim Into Drug Development

By combining the tools of medicinal chemistry and zebrafish biology, a research team has identified compounds that may offer therapeutic leads for bone-related diseases and cancer (ACS Chem Biol.)

Healthy prions protect nerves

The proteins that can cause CJD have a vital role in the nervous system (Nature Neuroscience)

Hear That? Bats and Whales Share Sonar Protein

Similar genetic changes helped echolocation evolve in disparate species (Current Biology)

Ebola's Clever Cloak

Structural Biology: Protein that hides viral RNA prevents immune system's detection of deadly virus (J. Virol.)

Attacking Amyloids

Efforts to deter protein misfolding yield promising drug candidates for degenerative diseases

Greedy Virus Helps Spread Disease

By keeping a cell to itself, vaccinia forces other viruses to continue infecting (Science)

GlaxoSmithKline goes public with malaria data

Company to place structures and properties of drug leads in the public domain.

EMBL Launches Genomic-Based Drug Data Resource

The new open access genomics-based small molecule database is hosted by the European Bioinformatics Institute.

The giant panda genome

The panda lacks digestive cellulase genes. It may therefore depend on its gut microbiome to handle its famously limited bamboo diet (Nature)

Folding cycles in group II chaperonins

Chaperonins are large, cylindrical complexes that assist in the folding of cellular proteins. Researchers determine the cryo-electron microscopy structure of an archael chaperonin called Mm-cpn in the nucleotide-free (open) and nucleotide-induced (closed) states (Nature)

Human Ancestors Were an Endangered Species

New genetic studies shows humans were as rare as chimpanzees 1.2 million years ago (PNAS)

Enzyme Structure Could Lead to New Drugs for Sleeping Sicknes

Scientists have determined the structure of an enzyme essential to the survival of the protozoan parasites that cause sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis (JBC)

January 19, 2010,NIGMS News,

Key Nutrients Decline In Transgenic Rice

Genetic modifications aimed at improving pest resistance have unintended consequences (J. Agric. Food Chem.)

The Art of Artemisia

Researchers have created the first genetic map for the medicinal herb Artemisia annua, which contains an extract called artemisinin that is used to help treat some forms of malaria (Science)

Parasitoid Wasp Genomes

Parasitoid wasps, which prey on and reproduce in host insect species, play important roles in plant herbivore interactions, and may provide valuable tools in the biological control of pest species (Science)

Sleep with the Fishes

Zebrafish larvae are a surprisingly compatible stand-in for humans as researchers test the next generation of insomnia drugs (Science)

Oil Drop Navigates Complex Maze

Scientists "train" drops of fluid to act like lab rats (JACS)

An added dimension

To produce an image of an object in three dimensions it is necessary to measure it from multiple viewpoints or to scan it section-by-section. A way of producing 3D images at the nanoscale from a single exposure using a monochromatic incident beam was proposed (Nature)

Spoiling for a fight: an aggression pheromone in Drosophila

The volatile pheromone cVA (cis-vaccenyl acetate) produced by the male fruitfly promotes male-to-male aggression by activating olfactory sensory neurons expressing a cVA receptor protein, Or67d (Nature)

Rebuilding Rubisco

Rubisco form I, the most abundant protein in nature, catalyses the absorption of atmospheric CO2 in photosynthesis. The formation of cyanobacterial form I Rubisco has been analyzed by in vitro reconstitution and cryo-electron microscopy (Nature)

Photoactivated phytochromes

Phytochromes regulate photoresponses through their ability to photointerconvert between a ground state (Pr) and a photoactivated state (Pfr). The three-dimensional solution structure of the bilin-binding domain as Pfr of the cyanobacterial phytochrome was reported (Nature)

Disease Enzyme Scrutinized

X-ray structure of a conformationally flexible drug target reveals how its inhibitors work (Nat Chem Biol.)

Needling Molecules

A simple method may solve the problem of getting stuff into cells (PNAS)

Infectious Prions Mutate Structurally

Researchers have discovered that misfolded prions can refold, suggesting a new approach to drug design (Science)

Ubiquitin Unfolds Doomed Proteins

Besides tagging proteins for destruction, ubiquitin also assists in the process by helping unfold the proteins (PNAS)

JAPAN: 2010 Science Budget Not Apocalyptic, as Feared

Although some projects will absorb big hits, the first budget of Japan's new administration, approved by the Cabinet at the end of December, calls for relatively minor changes in science priorities.

Dissecting TFIIB Mechanics

A newly reported crystal structure of an RNA polymerase II‐general transcription factor TFIIB complex reveals the carboxyl-terminal region of TFIIB whereas the previous structure revealed the amino-terminal region (Science)

Ligand-specific changes in GPCRs

Researchers found that drugs that bind within the transmembrane core with different efficacies towards G-protein activation of beta-2 adrenergic receptor stabilize distinct conformations of the extracellular surface. New therapeutic agents that target this diverse surface could function as allosteric modulators with high subtype selectivity (Nature)

Turning the HEAT on DNA-PKcs

The structure of the catalytic subunit DNA-PKcs, a serine/threonine protein kinase comprising a single polypeptide chain of 4,128 amino acids, of human DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) has been reported.

Ubiquitin-like proteins in Archaea

Structural homologues of ubiquitin (small archaeal modifier proteins or SAMPs) are shown to form a large number of protein conjugates in the archaeon Haloferax volcanii.

NIGMS Plans New PSI Grants

The Protein Structure Initiative funding will support the development of tools for studying high-throughput structure determination.

Much-Maligned Mother of Many Beloved Wines

In a new look at the DNA in chloroplasts in a dozen grape varieties, researchers discovered that gouais blanc was the maternal parent of nine.

Bacterial Compartmentalization

In diverse bacteria, reactions that involve toxic or volatile metabolites are carried out by enzymes inside proteinaceous microcompartments. Researchers report crystal structures for four homologous proteins that are constituents of the shell that sequesters the metabolism of ethanolamine in bacteria.

Hopes of a tumour test for Tasmanian devils

Pinpointing nerve-insulating cells as the origin of devil facial cancer could aid diagnosis and vaccination.

Cavity Causer Goes Under the Microscope

Sequence of bacterium's genome reveals why it is such a pain in the tooth

Antitumour drugs: novel EGFR inhibitors

The efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors in EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer is limited by the development of drug-resistance mutations, including the additional T790M mutation. Researchers have developed a new class of EGFR inhibitor that selectively inhibits the mutant receptor, rather that the wild type, and also inhibits the T790M mutant.

Bacterial DNA transfer

Most pathogenic bacteria in humans are Gram-negatives in which the type IV secretion system mediates the transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another. The crystal structure of the outer membrane complex of a type IV secretion system has been determined.

A nitric oxide reductase by desig

The successful design of a structural and functional model of the metalloprotein nitric oxide reductase (NOR) and the confirmation of an X-ray crystal structure of the designed protein have been reported.

Revoking Flu's Enemy-With-Benefits Status

Understanding how human cells help influenza thrive could be the way to stop it

Unexpected Route To Crystallization

Electrostatic repulsion between peptide-alkyl chain fibers in dilute solution leads to 3-D ordering

Arsenicin A: A Unique Natural Product

Chemists report the synthesis and structure of the first known natural product to contain multiple arsenic atoms

Bio Diodes

The crystal structure of an inward rectifier potassium channel provides a basis for understanding its rectification

Solving Pseudokinases

Mutations of the protein kinase LKB1 are associated with cancer in humans. Structure of the LKB1-STRAD-MO25 complex reveals an allosteric mechanism of kinase activation.

Proteins In Transition

Chemical Biology: Conformational change proceeds along surprising path

Bacteria Can Transform Minerals Electrically

Researchers begin to unlock a promising biochemical process

Glutamate transport

The crystal structure of a bacterial glutamate transporter trapped in its 'inward facing' state has been determined to propose a molecular mechanism for the sodium-coupled uptake of glutamate.

DNA repair: A heavyweight joins the fray

Tagging of DNA-damage-associated proteins by ubiquitin is key to coordinating the DNA-damage response. The ubiquitin-related protein SUMO is revealed as a crucial regulator of ubiquitylation in DNA repair.

Hope for Japan's key projects

Science council recommends funding for research threatened by budget cuts.

Scientists Crack Mystery of Protein's Dual Function

Researchers have solved a 10-year-old mystery of how a single protein from an ancient family of enzymes can have two completely distinct roles in the body

December 15, 2009,NIGMS News,

Findings Could Lead to Water-wise Crops

Biologists have identified plant enzymes that may help to engineer plants that take advantage of elevated carbon dioxide to use water more efficiently

December 15, 2009,NIGMS News,

Making Drugs Survive Longer in Blood

Longer-lasting drugs could mean more effective treatments

Good Beer Is All In The Fold

Partially-folded protein from barley steadies brew’s tiny bubbles

Revisiting Resveratrol

More results question molecular link between red wine compound and its antiaging activity

Getting membrane proteins into the fold

A new preparation method promises to bring a challenging but clinically important subset of proteins within easier reach of scientists (contribution from TPRP)

Hollywood gives biologists a helping hand

Pixar software could help simulate molecular interactions inside cells

New DNA binding motif that has heretofore escaped description

Two groups have discovered how the repeats in the TAL proteins of plant pathogens encode the specificity needed for the proteins to find their host DNA targets. Each repeat is specific for one DNA base pair.

Dissecting Ephrin-Receptor Interaction

Ephrins are transmembrane proteins that bind ephrin receptors on adjacent cells, leading to propagation of biochemical signals within both cells. Researchers devised a way to use differential isotopic labeling to distinguish cells and to monitor bidirectional signaling events by mass spectrometry.

Endogenous Regulator of mGluR5

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are critical neurotransmitter sensors implicated in central neuronal functions. Norbin, a neuron-specific protein, is found to physically interact with mGluR5, to increase the cell surface localization of the receptor, and to positively regulate mGluR5 signaling.

Editorial changes

Alanyl tRNA synthetases can sometimes bind a glycine or a serine, instead of alanine.　 Crystal structures revealed how this problem is overcome through the evolution of the editing protein, AlaXps.

Structural biology: Molecular coin slots for urea

Membrane-bound protein channels that allow only urea to pass through are vital to the kidney's ability to conserve water. Crystal structures show that the channels select urea molecules by passing them through thin slots.

First steps in DNA repair

Repair of DNA damage requires first that the lesion be detected in an excess of undamaged DNA. Researchers described a series of snapshots of the initial encounter between the enzyme and either normal or damaged DNA and defined the subsequent pathway.

Role of 2-hydroxyglutarate in cancer

A high percentage of glioblastomas has been found to harbour mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1). The predominant mutation is shown to act as a gain-of-function mutation, enabling IDH1 to convert ketoglutarate to 2-hydroxyglutarate.

How Angiosperms Took Over the World

Leaf plumbing, not flowers, made all the difference, say researchers

Breakthrough Flu Drug Might Already Exist

Recombining fragments of known drugs could lead to a more robust antiviral for H1N1 and other flu variants.

Nascent Proteins Caught in the Act

Two landmark papers use cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) to obtain information at subnanometer resolution, enabling the direct visualization of nascent polypeptide chains in the ribosomal tunnel.

Targeting DNA Gyrase

DNA gyrase is essential in bacteria, but missing in humans, and is thus an important antibiotic target. Biochemical and structural studies showed that antibiotics symocyclinones do not inhibit DNA gyrase GTPase activity, but instead inhibit binding to DNA.

Metamorphosis Receptor Identified

In insects, the metamorphosis is activated by the brain-derived neuropeptide, prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH). Almost a century after this brain hormone was discovered, the PTTH receptor and its signaling cascade have been identified.

RNA Silencer Shows Promise for Hepatitis C

Strategy targets a molecule produced by the host, not the virus

Plant biology: Signal advance for abscisic acid

The hunt for the receptor for abscisic acid, initially marked by false starts and lingering doubts, has met with success. Converging studies now reveal the details of how this plant hormone transmits its message.

Altered states: in search of hidden protein structures

Researchers used both of X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy to identify and characterize a hidden high-energy substate of human cyclophilin A, a proline isomerase.

Extending the ubiquitin chain

The proposal that ubiquitin chains are built on substrates by sequential transfer of single ubiquitin molecules has been supported

Screen Nets Self-Destruction Stoppers

Chemical Biology: Strategy finds selective ligands for rogue T cells

Japan budget threat sparks backlash

Nobel laureates and leading researchers rally to protest at proposed spending cuts

Sparring Intensifies Over Japan's Science Budget

The struggle for public and political support between Japan's scientific community and a budget-cutting task force is escalating

A Beetle, Its Eggs and the Secrets of a Glue

An insect that glues its eggs to the branches of the asparagus plant may help scientists learn to protect the plants

'Temple of the mind' unlocked

Map of fundamental brain receptor opens doors to treatments

Urea-RNA Disruption

Researchers reveal how urea hydrogen bonds and stacks with RNA's bases, making normal interaction between bases impossible

Freeze Protector Is Protein-free

Biochemistry: First-in-class natural antifreeze from alaskan beetle has carbohydrate and lipid components

Tsunami of protest: Japanese scientists rally against government cuts

Packed meeting hears a chorus of lament from Nobelists

Pre-MicroRNA Export Machinery

The crystal structure of pre-miRNA complexed with the exportin Exp5 and the small nuclear GTPase RanGTP shows that Exp5 and RanGTP protect the miRNA from degradation by nucleases, as well as facilitate transport to the cytoplasm

RSV in 3D

The crystal structure of a decameric, annular ribonucleoprotein complex of the RSV nucleoprotein (N) bound to RNA has been determined

Revealing the RNA World?

Researchers determined the structure of an in vitro-evolved RNA ligase ribozyme that catalyses a chemical reaction essentially identical to that of proteins that replicate RNA

Simply Mycoplasma

Three papers provide a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the proteome, the metabolic network, and the transcriptome of M. pneumonia

Democratic fallacy

Japan's effort to make budget allocations by public hearing could be good for the country and for science, but not as currently planned.

Membrane proteins in situ

A study combining neutron diffraction, solid-state NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations provides a detailed picture of the structure and hydration of lipid bilayer membranes containing S1-S4 voltage-sensing domains, which are used by membrane proteins to sense and react to changes in membrane voltage

Mutation by stealth

Work in HeLa cells shows that about 1% of methionine residues used in protein synthesis are aminoacylated to 'textbook-incorrect' tRNAs

In it together

Homocitrate from the host plant is essential for nitrogen fixation by rhizobia, highlighting the interdependence of the co-evolving symbiotic partners

Computational microscope peers into the working ribosome

Two new studies reveal in unprecedented detail how the ribosome interacts with other molecules to assemble new proteins and guide them toward their destination

November 25, 2009,NIGMS News,

Snapshot Catches Protein Motor in Action

Researchers have captured a critical action snapshot of an enzyme that is vital to the survival of all biological cells

November 25, 2009,NIGMS News,

Seeing Disulfides Via Diselenide Proxies

Replacing cysteine with selenocysteine in proteins improves NMR observation of disulfide bridges

Giant Leap For Obstinate Targets

Sugar Chemistry: Parallel combinatorial synthesis yields 12 hard-to-make oligosaccharides

Prion Aggregator Discovered

A glycosylated protein may shepherd prion protein associated with brain disorders into its infectious form

Japan's Scientists Fight Proposed Budget Cuts

A-Maize-ing

The availability of the maize genome will help to guide future agricultural and biofuel applications

JAPAN: Belt-Tightening Could Claim Some Scientific Scalps

TOKYO - Attempting to rein in Japan's yawning budget deficit, a government task force last week recommended tens of millions of dollars in cuts in science spending in the fiscal year beginning next April that would hit everything from research grants to big-ticket items such as a next-generation supercomputer.

Ants Eat Well, Thanks to Bacteria

Researchers uncover nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the ants' gardens

Gene transcription: new readers start here

The crystal structure of the complete Pol II (RNA polymerase II, the central enzyme of gene transcription) / TFIIB (a general transcription factor) complex suggests a six-step mechanism of transcription initiation

Allostery goes dynamic

A new study suggests that the notion of purely structurally regulated activity in allosteric proteins should be revised to include a frequently dominating contribution from protein dynamics

Signal peptides as allosteric activators

Cleavable N-terminal signal peptide of secreted "preproteins", which mediate their targeting and translocation across membranes, are shown to have a new role as allosteric activators of protein translocases

Access Denied?

Information-sharing resources are essential to biologists and deserve international support.

Plant genetics database at risk as funds run dry

National Science Foundation to cut support for Arabidopsis resource

Japanese science faces deep cuts

The government's election promises vowed more support for science, but so far budgets look set to shrink

Scientists Guide Immune Cells with Light and Microparticles

A new approach to studying how immune cells chase down bacteria in our bodies is reported

November 16, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

Electron-Transfer Proteins Tweaked

Modifications for better control of redox potential and reactivity

Seams in HIV Coat Could Lead to New Drugs

Structural biologists have identified functionally important "seams" within the coat that surrounds the HIV genome.

November 12, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

M cells in immunity

Glycoprotein 2, specifically expressed by M cells, is reported to serve as a transcytotic receptor for mucosal antigens.

Language evolution: The importance of being human

A comparison of the human and chimpanzee FOXP2 proteins highlights the differences in function in the two species.

Direct inhibition of the NOTCH transcription factor complex

The design of synthetic, cell-permeable, stabilized peptides that disrupt protein-protein interactions in NOTCH is reported.

Inside green fluorescent protein

Femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy is shown to reveal skeletal motions involved in the proton transfer that produces the fluorescent form of GFP protein.

Transport Tag Team

Two-protein complex forms in cells' copper-transport pathway

Chocolate Cake: The New Heroin?

Yo-yo diets may lead to food addiction

Bacterial Trigger of Plant Protection

Researchers have identified the bacterial gene that encodes the protein, Ax21 (activator of XA21-mediated immunity), to which the rice receptor protein XA21 responds to activate the plant's defenses

Small-Molecule Activators of a Proenzyme

Researchers have identified small molecules that activate the apoptotic procaspases-3 and -6.

An Enzyme Reveals An Unexpected Inclusiveness

Protein Binding: Bacterial enzyme's active site welcomes both enantiomers of a chiral molecule at the same time

Targeting KRAS cancers

Researchers identify TBK1 as a kinase in the NF- B signaling pathway that is essential for the survival of KRAS-transformed cells

HMGB protein sentinels

The chromosomal HMGB proteins are shown to be essential for all nucleic-acid receptor-mediated activation of innate immune responses

Getting A Clue About Cortistatin's Activity

Crucial isoquinoline ring in natural product's structure leads researchers to a set of potential kinase targets for cancer and vision therapies

Cut-And-Paste GFP

Protein Engineering: Method opens green fluorescent protein to better scrutiny, design

Light Commands Ion Channel

Chemical Biology: Photosensitive reaction opens or shuts potassium's flow

Emergency Drug Fills Vaccine Void

Pandemic: FDA allows use of unapproved flu drug while vaccine supplies lag

Proteins Moonlight to Control Genes

A study has uncovered more than 300 proteins that appear to control gene expression as well as perform other roles in cells.

November 1, 2009,NIGMS News,

New targets for old drugs

A computer program predicts thousands of previously unknown drug-target associations.

Ribosomes Caught in Translation

The crystal structure of the ribosome bound to two elongation factors have been reported.

How can DNA-binding proteins find targets in the midst of vast amounts of non specific DNA?

A new analysis of the three-dimensional structures of protein-DNA complexes suggests that DNA shape is key to recognition.

To Mosquitoes, We Smell Like Bird

Common odor may explain transmission of West Nile Virus

Naked Mole Rat Wins the War on Cancer

Novel mechanism could point to new therapies for humans

Seeing Molecules With A New Light

Microscopy: Technique relies solely on light that nonfluorescent compounds absorb

Molecular Structure Helps Explain Drought Tolerance

New structure shows how hormone-sensing protein helps plants survive dry droughts.

October 24, 2009,NIGMS News,

Dissecting Megaenzyme Mechanisms

Scientists report in vitro reconstitution of the complete catalytic function of lovastatin nonaketide synthase (LovB), the megasynthase that works to complete nearly 40 chemical steps required to construct the core of the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin.

Why Fish and Red Wine Don't Mix

Japanese researchers discover basis for unpleasant aftertaste

Why Sleepyheads Forget

Scientists pinpoint how lack of sleep undermines memory

Tools For Protein Folding

Techniques provide ways to manipulate and understand protein folding

Herbicides, Drugs Block Taste Receptor

Such weed killers and lipid-lowering drugs interfere energy metabolism, glucose regulation

Enzyme Lets You Enjoy the Bubbly

Researchers identified a class of taste-receptor cells in the tongue that respond to carbon dioxide (CO2), the gas that gives sparkling beverages their fizz.

New Helper For Bulky Amino Acids

Asymmetric Synthesis: Stripped-down small-molecule catalyst improves synthesis of key chiral intermediates

Cell invasion caught on camera

Videos show T cells breaching the central nervous system's defences

Chemical keeps male sex drive in check

A single pheromone ensures a male fruitfly's urge to mate targets the right sex.

Case Closed: Famous Royals Suffered From Hemophilia

Russian bones solve centuries-old mystery

Chronic Fatigue and Prostate Cancer: A Retroviral Connection?

A new study links chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) to a possibly contagious rodent retrovirus, XMRV, which has also been implicated in an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

The Human Genome in 3-D

Researchers theorize that DNA molecules inside the cell nucleus are packed into a compact, unknotted structure called a fractal globule (or ramen noodles), making it easy to pack and unpack.

Metabolite Arrays

Researchers report a method to sample the global metabolic state of an organism or mixture of organisms using an array of more than 1500 metabolites linked to a glass slide.

X-ray free-electron lasers fire up

California's project has the lead as its facility goes live, but Europe aims for its own rapid-fire device.

Life on leaves

The surface of plant leaves, the phyllosphere, is home to many microbes. A 'community proteogenomics' approach offers a fresh look at what it takes to survive and thrive in this unique habitat.

Microgel Enzyme Inhibitor

A molecularly imprinted polymer selectively inhibits trypsin better that one of the enzyme's known small-molecule inhibitors

Helping Crops Shed Pesticides

Dousing plants with their own hormones helps them expel toxic chemicals

Enzyme Could be Key to Treating Tuberculosis

Researchers have identified an enzyme that helps tuberculosis bacteria resist humans' natural defense system.

October 3, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

Aging Is RSKy Business

A report uncovers an important role for an enzyme, a ribosomal S6 protein kinase (RSK) called S6K1 and a target of mTOR, as a determinant of mammalian aging.

A second type of macroautophagy

A second mode of autophagy that is independent of the Atg genes is described.

Chemical reactions X-rayed

Researchers design a robust porous network material that acts as a 'reaction medium' to trap unstable reaction intermediates and to reveal their structures.

Getting By On Little Water

Advances in breeding and basic science confer drought tolerance to crops

Targeting RNA

Unique challenges face developers of drugs that hit disease-related RNAs rather than disease-related proteins

Bacterial Chemoreceptor Architecture Described

Researchers have visualized the precise arrangement of chemoreceptors - the receptors that sense and respond to chemical stimuli - in bacteria.

September 28, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

Physicists shrink X-ray source

Laser accelerator almost fits on a tabletop.

Unearthing Nature's Bounty

Chemical Biology: Mass spectrometry anchors tactic for finding new natural products from microbes

A Connection Between Sleep and Alzheimer's?

Sleep deprivation enhances pathological plaque formation in the brains of mice

Chemical biology: Caught in the activation

A crystal structure reveals how a protein kinase is activated by the binding of a small molecule at a pocket far from the catalytic site. This opens the door to the design of modulators of protein phosphorylation.

The raf oncogene: dimerization drives RAF kinase

The activation mechanism of RAF is shown to involve a dimeric conformation of its kinase domain.

Dylan to Darwin: Don't Look Back

A study of million-year-old proteins shows that evolution doesn't go in reverse

New Tuberculosis Drug Target

Microbiology: Inhibitors affect mycobacterial, not human, proteasome

Now Shown in 3D

Researchers have undertaken a major technological challenge: to integrate biochemical data with experimentally determined or predicted three-dimensional structures of all proteins involved in the central metabolism of a bacterial cell

Anyone for D?

While in all kingdoms of life, cells predominantly use L-amino acids, researchers present the unanticipated observation that diverse bacteria release large amounts of various D-amino acids into the environment

Desperately Seeking Glucose

Glucose deprivation may help to drive the acquisition of cell growth–promoting oncogenic mutations during tumor development

A trick of the tail-anchored protein

The crystal structure of ATPase chaperone Get3 provides a mechanistic understanding for nucleotide-regulated binding and release of tail-anchored membrane proteins

Killing TB In Its Sleep

An antiparasitic drug can kill tuberculosis bacteria, whether they are actively replicating or not, hinting at a possible new treatment

Seeing Double

Single-particle electron microscopy analysis of an archaeal ribonucleoprotein reveals its dimeric structure

Crystal Clear

Structural analysis of DOCK9-Cdc42 complexes demonstrates that activation of Rho GTPases by DOCK exchange factors Is mediated by a nucleotide sensor

It's a Gas

Endogenous nitric oxide protects bacteria against a wide spectrum of antibiotics

Apoptosis: how cells become targets

Apoptotic cells are shown to release ATP and UTP that act as a 'find me' signal and chemoattractant for phagocytes expressing the P2Y2 ATP/UTP receptor

Membrane proteins: structures without crystallization

Researchers report the structure of a membrane protein, the human large-conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium (BK) channel, in its native membrane environment using single-particle electron cryomicroscopy

New Bond In Biology

Biochemistry: Sulfilimine connection toughens tissue

Potent HIV Antibodies Spark Vaccine Hopes

A large team of researchers has identified the most powerful, broad-acting antibodies yet against multiple strains of HIV

Sugary Achilles' Heel Raises Hope For Broad-Acting Antiviral Drugs

A protein that binds sugar groups on the outermost proteins of HIV, gumming up the virus's machinery for entering cells, does nearly as well against the SARS and Ebola viruses, showing promise as a broad-spectrum antiviral.

Watch the Clock to Lose Weight

New research suggests that meal timing and an immune system gene could help people shed pounds

Cancer: The fat and the furious

Evidence linking metabolic alterations to cancer progression is accumulating. It seems that cancer cells must sustain their energy production and remain well fed to survive detachment from their normal habitat.

Ribozyme's Kick Is In Its Fold

Folding a ribozyme into a three-dimensional structure can adjust the reactivity of the RNA catalyst's nucleotide bases

Genes That Make Us Human

Intensive computer search turns up three newly formed human genes

Knockout rats made to order

Customized disease models made by deleting rat embryo genes may be on sale soon

Atoms and Bonds of Molecule Visualized

High-resolution AFM technique makes even hydrogen atom positions visible

Odors Inhibit Fly CO2 Response

Chemicals that modulate the insects' response to carbon dioxide could lead to new insect repellents

A Breathalyzer for Cancer

Gold nanoparticles help researchers detect lung cancer in exhaled air

Hidden Pockets of Resistance

Analysis of the culturable aerobic gut microbiome revealed genes highly similar to antibiotic resistance genes harbored by human pathogens

Tapping the Mitochondrial Proteome

A mitochondrial protein (Sdh5) is required for the activity of respiratory complex II and its mutations were found in individuals with hereditary paraganglioma, a rare neuroendocrine tumor

Breathe easy

Why inhaled fungal spores do not provoke an immune reaction

Biotech Bacteria Could Help Diabetics

Genetically engineered gut bacteria trigger insulin production in mice

Protein Synthesis Initiation Complex

Formation of the First Peptide Bond: The Structure of EF-P Bound to the 70S Ribosome

Translational Rearrangements

Structures of the Ribosome in Intermediate States of Ratcheting

APC Transporter Structure

Structure and Mechanism of a Na+-Independent Amino Acid Transporter

Blast-Resistant Rice

New Strategy Promises Lasting Resistance to a Rice Plague

SNORKEL beats the monsoon

Japanese researchers have identified the genes that trigger internode elongation in deepwater rice, called SNORKEL1 and SNORKEL2.

The AdiC proton pump

Crystal structure of AdiC, an arginine-agmatine antiporter from Escherichia coli was reported

Engineered protein-like molecule protects cells against HIV infection

Researchers has created a set of peptide-like molecules that successfully block HIV infection of human cells

August 17, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

Nacre's Trade Secrets Revealed

Two proteins aid the orderly formation of calcium carbonate crystals that gives pearls and oyster shells their iridescent luster

Early Risers Are Mutants

Scientists find first gene in humans linked to sleep duration

Lysine Acetylation Catalog

Advances in mass spectrometry made it possible for researchers to assess the prevalence of lysine acetylation throughout the whole proteome.

A screen for cancer killers

Method identifies drugs that target the cells behind cancer growth.

Bacteria Interfere With Painkillers

Gut microbes manipulate acetaminophen metabolism

DNA Bar Codes For Chemical Libraries

Methods have screened 800 million compounds for kinase inhibitors

Immortality improves cell reprogramming

Knocking out genes with a role in cancer prevention helps produce stem cells.

Early Evolution of Protein Editing

Researchers demonstrate how enzyme functions have evolved, particularly in proofreading the sequences of newly made proteins.

August 7, 2009,NIGMS News ,

Birds' Light Meter Discovered

Protein helps birds sense when spring has sprung

Inside HIV-1: structure of an entire RNA gnome

The secondary structure of a complete HIV-1 RNA genome has been determined, based on analysis of authentic HIV RNA extracted from infectious virions.

Crystals grown in a flash

A nanopulse of laser light is enough to trigger crystallization.

Structure of Promising New Antibiotic

A study shows how a promising new "last resort" antibiotic called ramoplanin can kill bacteria.

August 4, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

Rapid TB Detector

An ultrasensitive test can spot bacteria in a half hour.

GM crop lures pest killers

Transgenic maize emits chemical that summons insect-killing nematodes.

Patience, My Dear Polymerase

How a transcribing polymerase gets past the protein spools that stand in its way

Sabotage At Energy Department Facility

Former employee destroys 4,000 protein crystals under study at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Expanding Sulfonylurea Mechanisms

Sulfonylureas, important drugs used for diabetes, were identified in a screen for substances that modify the activity of the cAMP sensor Epac2, suggesting that Epac2 would be a novel target of antidiabetic drugs.

Monitoring Monocyte Reservoirs

Researchers demonstrate that the spleen serves as a critical reservoir of monocytes in addition to the primary monocytes reservoirs, the bone marrow and blood.

Maintaining Mutual Ignorance

Innate and adaptive immunity cooperate flexibly to maintain host-microbiota mutualism.

Structural biology: Trimeric ion-channel design

The structure of an ATP-activated ion channel reveals its architecture. And the intriguing interior design is found in another type of ion channel too.

NIGMS to Fund New Protein Structure Programs

The PSI: Biology initiative has begun with two new programs funded with up to $40 million.

Tailored evolution

Targeting genetic changes to specific regions of a genome allows researchers to rapidly evolve microbes.

DNA barcodes for plants a step closer

Biologists agree on genetic sequences to uniquely identify plant species.

Special Online Collection: Complex Systems and Networks

This special section shows how scientists are pushing network analysis to its limits across disciplinary fields.

Phytoplasma Research Begins to Bloom

Spread by insects, bacteria called phytoplasmas co-opt plant development, sometimes creating beauty but more often bringing devastation.

Connecting Organelles

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) -mitochondria connections are important for interorganellar phospholipid exchange.

Neuronal SNARE complex structure

A team solved the X-ray crystallographic structure of an extended neuronal SNARE complex, which suggest that these proteins operate like nanomachines whose zippering all the way into the membranes triggers their fusion.

Rapid detection and profiling of cancer cells in fine-needle aspirates

A diagnostic magnetic resonance (DMR) sensor that combines a miniaturized NMR probe with targeted magnetic nanoparticles measures the transverse relaxation rate of water molecules in biological samples.

PSPP: A Protein Structure Prediction Pipeline for Computing Clusters

A standalone protein structure prediction software package suitable for high-throughput structural genomic applications

July 20, 2009 ,PLoS ONE,

Protein Structure Helps Decipher Route To Selenocysteine

X-ray structure of selenocysteine's transfer RNA coupled to the SepSecS enzyme provides a better view of selenocysteine biosynthesis

Pheromone Tells Fly Suitors to 'Buzz Off'

Researchers report on a newly discovered pheromone produced by male fruit flies.

July 17, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

Researchers Image Crucial Anthrax Protein

Researchers have determined the structure of a protein crucial to the virulence of anthrax bacteria.

July 14, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

New Drugs Faster From Natural Compounds

A new advance will enable scientists to rapidly characterize ring-shaped nonribosomal peptides, a class of natural compounds with a high potential to yield new pharmaceuticals.

July 14, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

New Class Of Drugs For Avian Flu

Saponin derivatives that prevent the H5N1 virus from entering its host cells could serve as a novel class of avian flu remedy

How Membrane Proteins Self-Organize

Researchers have taken a unique look at how thousands of bacterial membrane proteins assemble into clusters that direct cell movement to select chemicals in their environment.

July 11, 2009,NIGMS News,

Anti-obesity drugs: Improving sleep may promote weight loss

T-type Ca2+ channels regulate both sleep and weight maintenance, suggesting that sleep regulation might represent a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity.

Toward Drug Development

Drug Discovery and Natural Products: End of an Era or an Endless Frontier?

Calorie-Counting Monkeys Live Longer

Researchers report first data on dietary restriction and aging in primates

Early indicator of sight loss

CCR3 is found to be a target for age-related macular degeneration diagnosis and therapy

CD14 in apoptosis

CD14, a molecule that, in conjunction with other receptors, recognizes the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of bacterial cell wall. is shown to regulate dendritic cell apoptosis after LPS stimulation

Microorganism behaviour: be prepared

Escherichia coli passing through the gut and yeast through the various stages of fermentation 'anticipate' their next experience and assemble the metabolic pathways to cope with it.

Fountain of Youth on Easter Island?

Compound found in soil extends life span of mice

Carbohydrate Size Control

Tethering mechanism regulates length of sugar chains for tuberculosis bacterial cell wall

Biogenic Amine Receptors

Researchers explored the family of ion channels that respond to biogenic amines in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans.

Immunology: A metabolic switch to memory

Two therapeutic drugs have been found to enhance memory in immune cells called T cells, apparently by altering cellular metabolism.

Site of Alcohol Action in Brain

X-ray crystallography revealed a binding site for alcohol in an ion channel that plays a key role in several brain functions associated with drugs of abuse and seizures.

July 1, 2009,NIGMS News,

Study Refutes Protein's Role in Heart Attacks

Companies chasing c-reactive protein may be on wrong path, say experts

How Amyloid-beta Harms Neurons

Soluble amyloid-beta oligomers are found to interfere with the normal reabsorption of the neurotransmitter glutamate at brain synapses

Mercury's Paths In Rice

Mass spec study of the toxic metal advances understanding of plants' chemical response to mercury contamination

Opening the Portico

The structure of the 40-kD homotrimer of E. coli diacylglycerol kinase (DAGK), a family of integral membrane phosphotransferases, was determined by NMR spectroscopy.

Antibiotics in Nature: Beyond Biological Warfare

A body of evidence emerges that the infection-quelling miracle drugs of biomedicine play more basic roles in the metabolism of microbial communities.

Plant hormones: ten and counting

There has been rapid progress in research into the molecular mechanisms of plant hormones old and new.

New protein structures replace the old

Dutch software to weed out errors in Protein Data Bank.

Antiporter Antics

The crystal structure of AdiC, an arginine:agmatine antiporter, suggests how the antiporter senses the pH and responds to transport the reaction product agmatine out of the cell and Arg into the cell.

Protein Wavers Between Two Forms

Researchers have found that a bacterial protein thought to exist in a single three-dimensional structure can twist itself into a second form.

June 19, 2009,NIGMS News,

Beyond the prion principle

It seems that many misfolded proteins can act like prions - spreading disease by imparting their misshapen structure to normal cellular counterparts. But how common are bona fide prions really?

Malaria: The gatekeeper revealed

A molecular machine used by the malaria parasite to export its protein armoury into the host cell has at last been identified, providing researchers with a potentially invaluable therapeutic target.

Inflammation: Wound healing in zebrafish

What is the first signal that directs the rapid influx of immune cells to a wound to stave off potential infection? A study in the zebrafish reveals an unusual but well-qualified candidate - a gradient of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) emanating from the wound.

Structure of the HIV Protein Shell

A study has provided a close-up look at the hexagonal protein building blocks that make up the HIV capsid.

June 15, 2009,NIGMS News,

Lilly To Provide Free Access to Drug Discovery Platform Under New Collaborative Initiative

Findings from the initiative "could ultimately form the basis for collaboration or licensing agreements between Lilly and external institutions," the company said.

Tantalizing clues to the chemical origins of life

A synthetic molecule can reshuffle itself to match a DNA template.

A New Twist on Prion Disease

Study proposes how misfolded proteins destroy neurons

Enzyme Makes A Tough Cut

Crystal structure of bacterial enzyme suggests route to a challenging bond cleavage

Sexual gene shuffling suppressed in plants

Asexual cell division could hold the key to a breakthrough in plant breeding

A Termite Terminator?

Blocking termite immunity could thwart destructive pests

Case Closed: Scientists Nab Birds That Brought Down Airplane

Forensic analysis of feathers fingers culprit in Hudson River crash

Rhes-olving Huntington's Disease?

Researchers show that Rhes, a small G protein very highly localized to the striatum, binds mutant huntingtin (mHtt) and augments its neurotoxicity, suggesting that Rhes-Htt binding might provide a therapeutic target.

Blocking Wayward Immune Cells

Small molecule prevents differentiation of cell involved in autoimmune diseases

Exploiting Cortistatins' Essence

Simple analogs of a complex natural product may protect against loss of vision

Membrane-protein structure: Piercing insights

Pore-forming proteins are deadly biological weapons that punch holes in target-cell membranes. The structure of the pore formed by a bacterial toxin suggests that diverse pore formers have similar assembly pathways.

Drug giants unite to develop cancer therapy

Merck and AstraZeneca collaboration could launch a new trend — if their work yields results.

Allosteric Effects Govern Nuclear Receptor Action: DNA Appears as a Player

DNA sequences regulate glucocorticoid receptor activity.

Finding Crystallization Sweet Spots

Automated Device Mixes Nanoliter Quantities Of Membrane-Protein Components

Probing More Of That Vast Chemical Space

Including chemical scaffolds in libraries aids screening

Cancer cells need normal, non-mutated genes to survive

A study suggests that normally functioning genes, not just mutated ones, could be important targets for cancer drugs.

May 30, 2009,NIGMS News,

NIH Seeks Chemical Library Development

The initiative will support development of new chemical libraries for use in the Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network by funding up to eight programs in 2010 with up to $2.5 million.

Disorderly Proteins Turn Predictable

Chemists have found evidence that floppy, unstructured proteins contain regions prone to binding small molecules.

Disorder in Protein May Provide Wiggle Room

Researchers found that sections of a protein previously thought to be disordered may in fact have a biological role.

May 26, 2009,NIGMS News,

New Structure Revisits History

Enzyme played key role in World War I and history of enzymology

Stressed Out Over a Stress Hormone

The hormone ABA lets plants handle rough times and holds promise for making drought-resistant crops, if only researchers could nail down its molecular partners.

NIH Announces New Program to Develop Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases

The $24 million program jumpstarts a trans-NIH initiative called the Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases program, or TRND.

May 20, 2009,NIH News,

Flagship drug-development initiative picks projects

European project awards pharmaceutical research funding.

Detecting Aircraft Pathogens Before It's Too Late

A new study suggests that single particle detectors should be used to help control pandemics.

Tumors Trigger Cancer Blues

Biochemical signals from tumors cause anxiety and depression in rats

CAS Launches Free Online Database

Designed for the public, Common Chemistry offers information about nearly 8,000 chemicals of general interest

How Plants Survived Chernobyl

Research sheds light on how soybeans and other vegetation respond to nuclear fallout

Tracking Activity At Single Synapses

New fluorescent compound makes it possible to visualize neurotransmitter release and uptake

RNA world easier to make

Ingenious chemistry shows how nucleotides may have formed in the primordial soup.

Japan to pay firms to relieve postdoc glut

Japan's science and education ministry has announced a 500-million (US$5-million) plan to pay companies to hire postdoctoral students.

Ammunition for the TB Wars

Using comparative transcriptome analysis and high content screening, researchers found that a benzothiazinone kills Mycobacterium in infected cells and in mice.

Fluorescent Proteins Go Invisible

Infrared proteins allow researchers to track molecules deep within the tissues of living animals

Protein structures: Structures of desire

What do protein crystallographers dream of ? The eukaryotic ribosome, the spliceosome, the nuclear-pore complex, the HIV trimer and almost any transmembrane protein, finds Ananyo Bhattacharya.

China joins world-class synchrotron Club

Nation's costliest science facility is unveiled.

New Path To Cyclodipeptides

Enzyme uses amino acid-loaded tRNAs to make cyclodipeptides

New Plant Hormone Partners

Two studies uncover a protein family that mediates abscisic acid's activity, which includes controlling fruit ripening and stress

Tactical Target

Specific inhibition of APh1B gamma-secretase complexes may be a useful strategy to lower Abeta production while avoiding Notch-related side effects.

The Birds and the Dinosaurs

The ancient collagen sequences of an 80-million-year-old hadrosaur revealed a close relationship between birds and dinosaurs

HIV's undercover route to infection

Virus needs to hitch a ride across the membrane before infecting cells.

Plants genes get fine tailoring

Technique allows plant researchers to target and replace specific genes.

Making Heart Cells

A cocktail of proteins converts embryonic cells into cardiac cells that might someday replace damaged tissue.

Green glow deciphered

Mysterious jellyfish gene widely used in biology find its place in nature.

Safer Stem Cells?

New technique produces stem cells without potential for DNA damage

The Mystery of PolyP Polymerase

Structural and biochemical studies showed that a domain in a yeast vacuolar transporter chaperone complex generates polyP from ATP.

Bovine basics

Cow genome sequence opens the door to a new era of breeding.

Expanding The RNA Roster

Chemical screen finds new small molecule-RNA conjugates

World's First X-ray Laser Powers Up

Technology opens new scientific frontiers and a new chapter for a storied lab

Genes Know How to Network

New approach elucidates the complex genetic crosstalk within cells

Disrupted Copper Regulation Linked to Prion Diseases

Researchers have found hints that copper regulation is disrupted in prion disease.

April 18, 2009,NIGMS News,

Noncoding DNA Rules

Variations in the DNA sequences modulate the structure and activity of one particular regulatory factor, the glucocorticoid receptor, indicating that DNA sequence is not simply a docking site, but a signal that influences gene expression.

Anchors away

The finding that the mechanism of a crucial enzyme in certain disease-causing bacteria differs from that in mammals offers scope for drug discovery.

Sequestering Cholera

Peptide mimic binds multisubunit toxin and could lead to new treatments

Cells Don't Always Respond According to Genetics

Researchers have studied how genetically identical cells have different amounts of proteins that can affect their response to drugs.

April 14, 2009,NIGMS News,

Flowering Plant Sheds Light on Human Clock

The model 3D structure of a plant protein that is similar to proteins that control human clock

April 12, 2009,NIGMS News,

Proteins in Motion

A special series on protein dynamics presents several review articles exploring how protein-protein interactions and protein conformation relate to function.

Fighting Flu

Crystal structures of the antigen-binding region of a broadly neutralizing human antibody in complex with two different antigen hemagglutins from flu viruses

Giving Malaria a Double Whammy

Compound reverses resistance, acts as antimalarial agent

Researchers Find "Good" Fat in Human Adults

Energy-eating tissue may help people slim down

Open-access policy flourishes at NIH

Researchers, institutions and publishers have complied with the mandate, but it still has its opponents.

A tiny litmus test for cells

Nanomachine senses cellular pH in real time.

Fluorescent Anesthetic May Expedite Drug Discovery

NIGMS-funded researchers have identified a fluorescent anesthetic that should help in future research to discover and understand anesthetics.

April 5, 2009,NIGMS News,

How do plants prime themselves to resist systemic pathogenic infections?

Azelaic acid and AZI1 gene are components of plant systemic immunity involved in priming defenses.

The beneficial side of prions

The infectious agents could aid yeast survival in harsh conditions.

Better Bisphosphonates

Lipophilic compound kills more cancer than traditional analog

Identifying the Proteins to which Small Molecules Bind in Cells

A research group has used quantitative proteomics (SILAC) and affinity enrichment to provide comprehensive identification of the proteins that bind to small-molecules.

Anti-HIV protein made in plants

One greenhouse could produce a million doses of virus-blocking chemical.

Peptide Disciplines Dishevelled Protein

Researchers find a potent inhibitor of the Dishevelled protein that is associated with colorectal and other cancers

Dissecting Drug Expulsion Portal

Crystal structures of P-glycoprotein, a transmembrane transporter with broad specificity, with and without inhibitors

Protein by Design

Researchers built a functioning protein from scratch

March 25, 2009,NIGMS News,

Ideas Gel for Better Diagnostics

Stacked pyridine molecules inspire possibilities for detecting lung cancer, tuberculosis

Networking out of natural disasters

Open-source software could transform response to disease outbreaks and natural disasters.

Finding Early Signs of Mad-Cow Disease

A comprehensive study of gene-expression changes could lead to new diagnostic tests.

Double Trouble on World TB Day

Number of people diagnosed with both HIV and TB higher than previously recognized

Darwin's College Bills

Storage-room discovery sheds light on famed naturalist's spending habits

Promiscuous antibody targets cancer

Single molecule can bind firmly to two different antigens.

Route To Pancreatic Cells

Small molecule directs differentiation

NIH to Assist Molecular Probe Screening

The MLPCN will support high-throughput screening research through the Molecular Libraries Roadmap Initiative.

Researchers 'watch' as individual alpha-synuclein proteins change shape

Dance by protein linked to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases reveals unprecedented twists and turns

March 16, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

Southpaw Solar System

Meteorites might have seeded early Earth with "left-handed" amino acids

A Crayon Box For The Biotech Set

DNA-like labels light up biological systems in a rainbow of colors

A Toxin a Day Keeps the Maggots Away

Infested caterpillars self-medicate by eating poisonous plants

Body clock regulates metabolism

Researchers have discovered how circadian rhythms regulate energy levels in cells.

March 12, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

Missing Piece of Plant Clock Found

Researchers have identified a key protein that links the morning and evening components of the daily biological clock of plants.

March 12, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

There is more to life than sequences

The shape of DNA can play a crucial role in genetics.

Tissues that Build Themselves

Specially engineered cells arrange themselves into three-dimensional microtissues

Gouda Cheese Surrenders Its Secrets

A taste panel and analytical techniques reveal the source of Gouda flavor characteristics

Creating Cell Parts from Scratch

A newly made synthetic ribosome is an important step in the quest to create artificial life forms.

Target Under Fire

Inhibiting fatty acid synthesis may not be a promising antibiotic strategy after all.

Malaria Drug Is Found to Curb Deadly Infections Spread From Animals

Two new viral infections seem to have an effective treatment in an old antimalaria drug

Web usage data outline map of knowledge

Analysis offers fresh perspective on role of humanities and social sciences.

Peering at proteins inside cells

Nuclear magnetic resonance spies the atomic details of proteins in action.

Something wiki this way comes

Stephen Friend and Eric Schadt reveal their vision for an open-access platform in medical research.

A Vaccine Offers Instant Immunity

A new approach primes antibodies to instantly attack cancers, HIV, and other diseases.

Why Nicotine Prefers Brains Over Brawn

Single amino acid change helps explain the first step in smoking addiction

Skeleton Key May Defuse Flu

Antibodies bind a flu protein nook common to many viral strains

Drug Combo Kills Resistant TB

Inhibitor and antibiotic work together against tuberculosis

'Harmless' prion protein linked to Alzheimer's disease

Non-infectious form of prion protein could cause brain degeneration.

Aphids Play Doctor

Social bugs can heal plant wounds

Nanopore Sequencing to Identify DNA Bases

A British company has demonstrated an important step for a new sequencing technique.

New antibodies block a range of influenzas

Discovery hints at the possibility of broad-spectrum vaccines.

Software Speeds Enzyme Redesign

An NIGMS-funded team has developed a computer program that can show how to change enzymes to make natural antibiotics.

February 21, 2009 ,NIGMS News,

A Rodent's Anti-Aging Secrets

Healthier proteins may be the key to the long life span of naked mole rats.

Researchers Find Protein Domain To Serve as Cancer Drug Target

NIGMS-funded researchers have found that drugs that inactivate a specific part of matrix metalloproteinases may target tumors without damaging side effects.

February 17, 2009,NIGMS News,

Plants Make Bilirubin, Too

Scientists discover that the colorful tetrapyrrole-based pigment derived from heme in animals also occurs in colorful plant seeds.

Taking Stock of A Cell's Protein Production

New technique shows just how efficiently ribosomes translate messenger RNA into proteins.

GPR3 and Alzheimer's Disease

Researchers identified the G protein-coupled receptor, GPR3, as a modulator of amyloid-beta peptide production and thus as an attractive drug target.

Unconventional Attraction

A pheromone directly exported from yeast cells by a transporter of the Mdr family, rather than being secreted by the classical secretary pathway.

Receptor's Binding Partner Identified

Shamans' hallucinogen that is also produced by the body binds to nervous system receptor.

Ancient Virus Gave Wasps Their Sting

Parasitic wasps inject caterpillars with a virus to disable their natural defenses and allow wasp larvae to grow within caterpillars' bodies.

Prostate cancer marker found in urine

A simple urine test for sarcosine could be used to detect cancer.

Lighting Up Cells in 3-D

A new technique pushes the boundaries of super-resolution light microscopy.

Flu: It's the Humidity. Absolutely

Study suggests that absolute, not relative, humidity explains why influenza is seasonal

Hope For A Rare Disease

Solubilizing agent reverses Niemann-Pick C disorder in mice

Genome sequencing: the third generation

Companies unveil data from their latest technologies.

What causes schizophrenia?

Tests designed to stretch working memory had surprising effects on dopamine receptors.

Cell biology: How to combat stress

Life is full of stress, and all life forms from bacteria to humans have evolved ways of sensing and responding to it. The latest findings shed light on how cells deal with stress.

Luciferase Reporter Could Skew Drug Screening, Study Suggests

Researchers from the NIH's Chemical Genomics Center warn that the firefly luciferase enzyme may show enhanced activity with some compounds; potentially leading to false positive results.

In a Worm, a Mutation to Survive in Low Oxygen

Researchers have discovered the molecular basis for how some C. elegans worms can survive on very low levels of oxygen.

MS stem-cell trial shows promise

Multiple sclerosis treatment seems to reverse symptoms.

Two Classes of Chemicals Disrupt Wnt Pathway

Screening a chemical library of 200,000 compounds led to identification of two new classes of compounds

January 30, 2009,NIGMS News,

Serotonin Makes Locusts Swarm

Findings could point the way to new pest-control strategies

Plant genomics: Sorghum in sequence

The drought tolerance of sorghum is just one of the features that make it a valuable crop plant. There is much for agronomists to learn from the complete genome sequence of this type of grass.

Protein Racemate Yields Crystals

Racemic crystallography gives structures of uncrystallizable proteins

Small Molecule Stops Cancer-Related Hedgehog Protein

A novel drug blocks a signaling protein head-on rather than attacking a downstream part of the signaling pathway

Structural biology: Actin in a twist

How monomers of the cytoskeletal protein actin join to form the stable polymers crucial to muscle contraction and cellular motility has been a long-standing question. A state-of-the-art approach provides an answer.

Molecular biology: Concealed enzyme coordination

Coordination between subunits is crucial for the proper functioning of multi-component molecular machines. A single-molecule study now allows glimpses into the mechanism used by subunits of one such machine.

Blocking Enzyme Prevents Obesity

Chowhound mice stay lean but show elevated risk of diabetes.

Vanderbilt Forms Pact With J&J

Unique deal reflects novel drug discovery program at the university.

Protein Loss Sparks Cartilage Breakdown

An age-related decrease in the production of HMGB2 protein leads to osteoarthritis, a finding that could lead to better therapeutics.

Chemical biology: Fluorescent timers

New fluorescent 'timers' that gradually change colour from blue to red could allow researchers to track the age and dynamic behaviour of proteins in living cells.

MRI for Viruses

An imager 100 million times more powerful than traditional MRI could create 3-D images of viruses.

Bacterial Export Machine Unveiled

Scientists report the first structure of the mammoth type IV secretion complex that bacteria use for shipping out DNA and proteins

EVOLUTIONARY ROOTS: On the Origin of Life on Earth

In the first of a monthly series of essays celebrating the Year of Darwin, Carl Zimmer discusses attempts to unravel how life originated on Earth by recreating the process in the laboratory.

A never-ending dance of RNA

The recreation of life's origins comes a self-catalysing step closer.

Genetic Code Sees Double

Protozoan peculiarity may force rethink of 40 years of scientific dogma

Anticancer drug target pictured

Not only is the aromatase enzyme implicated in a common form of breast cancer, but it also catalyses an unusual biochemical reaction. Its crystal structure therefore offers both practical and fundamental insights.

A taste of umami

Molecular mechanism behind perception of the umami

Errors rectified in retrospect

During protein synthesis, mistakes in adding amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain are usually prevented. If they are not, a quality-control mechanism ensures premature termination of erroneous sequences.

2008: Signaling Breakthroughs of the Year

This year's signaling breakthroughs extended from protein crystals to cells and subcellular structures to whole genomes.

NINDS, NIAAA, NIDA to Fund Small-Molecule Probe Studies of Neurological & Drug-related Diseases

Wellcome Trust Gives $5.9M to Fund UK, US Chemical Probe Partnership

NHGRI Informatics Training Programs Could Become Bioinformatics Centers

Reprogrammed skin cells provide testing ground for new drugs

Induced pluripotent stem cells pass key milestone.

A Whiff of Mad Cow

Normal form of protein linked to neurodegenerative conditions may aid sense of smell

Is Morphine a Guy Drug?

New research may explain why males benefit more from opioid painkillers

How genes are silenced

Molecular snapshot reveals the mechanics of RNA interference

Publish in Wikipedia or perish

Journal to require authors to post in the free online encyclopaedia

Tryptophan Clarifies Antidepressant Drug Binding

An X-ray structure indicates an alternative starting point for designing new drugs

First Dynein Protein Structure Reported

Scientists unveil an atomic-level view of the motor protein dynein, which carries cargo along microtubule tracks in cells

Briny Food Textures

A small amount of salt can alter the secondary structure of proteins, and thus the texture of some foods

Vaccine failure explained

Immunologists show how deaths in 1966 could have been avoided

MALARIA:Vaccine Comes Another Step Closer

The most advanced candidate vaccine for malaria has cleared another major hurdle and is now ready for its last and biggest test: a phase III trial of 12,000 to 16,000 children at 11 locations in seven African countries

Plant hormone study pulled

Canadian lab retracts work on abscisic acid.

Three-Dimensional View of Core Replication Machinery

Structural biologists have obtained a detailed structure for the core of the replisome, molecular machinery assembled to copy DNA

December 11, 2008,NIGMS News,

A One-Two Punch Against Sleeping Sickness

Drug combo could save thousands of lives in Africa

From Gut to Bone

Serotonin produced by the gut reduces bone mass.

Blue Light Response

Blue light triggers the association of a photoreceptor, transcription factor, and DNA site, thus inducing expression for the gene FT (flowering time) and initiating flowering.

More biologists report plastic contamination

Chemicals from lab equipment are ruining experiments worldwide.

Fertilization Illuminated

Crystallography offers peek at a mammalian sperm receptor.

Fetal Immune System Hushes Attacks on Maternal Cells

Researchers provide an explanation for why some maternal cells that cross the placenta escape attack by the fetal immune system.

Proteins that read DNA backwards

Some enzymes transcribe DNA in the 'wrong' direction to create puzzling RNAs

Bravo, Beamline

BBC reports that the European Light Source, a synchrotron based in Grenoble, France, is due for a £150 million upgrade.

Agronomy: Five crop researchers who could change the world

The current crisis in worldwide food prices reinforces the need for more productive agriculture. Emma Marris meets five ambitious scientists determined to stop the world from going hungry.

Plant Puberty

Structure of receptor of key plant hormone gibberellin reveals how molecule works.

Bryostatin, Faster

Highly selective catalysis dramatically reduces steps to multiring structure.

Micropatterning for quantitative analysis of protein-protein interactions in living cells

Human protein factory for converting the transcriptome into an in vitro-expressed proteome

Global protein stability(GPS) for proteomes

Epitope mapping of antibodies using bacterial surface display

Gene networks: Network analysis gets dynamic

Mice share yeast's ageing system

Sirtuin proteins linked to lifespan in mammals.

Mass Spec Mania

This week's issue of PNAS focuses on mass spectrometry and "attempts to illustrate the breadth and uniqueness of applications of molecular MS to a variety of scientific fields with current examples.

Tiny Protein Provokes Bonding Between Cells

Alpha-catenin allows cells to recognize neighboring cells as 'friends', leading to strong bonds that are hard to break, according to a new NIGMS-supported study.

November 25, 2008,NIGMS News,

Cancer Cell 'Bodyguard' Turned Into Killer

NIGMS-supported researchers have developed a peptide that converts the Bcl-2 protein from a cancer cell's friend to a foe.

November 24, 2008,NIGMS News,

Scientists Shed Light on How DNA Is Unwound

NIGMS-supported researchers have figured out how a molecular machine unwinds DNA tangles so that the genetic information can be read and used.

November 24, 2008,NIGMS News,

Unearthing New Protease Substrates

Mass spectrometry helps elucidate glucose -regulating enzyme's activity in greater detail

Cast of 1000 Proteins Shines in Movies of Cancer Cells

Systems biologists describe online in Science this week how fluorescent markers and a time-lapse microscope have allowed them an unprecedented view of the fluctuating locations and levels of about 1000 proteins inindividual human cancer cells.

Human genomes in minutes?

Not yet, butbiotechnology company is on track for 2013.

Web data predict flu

Search engines provide information about epidemics.

Rhesus protein stops blood becoming acidic

Blood-group-factor family has a role in pH control.

Darwin 200: Beyond the origin

Celebrating the man and the book.

Tumor Secrets Written in Blood

Cancer cells release telltale traces into bloodstream

Beat the itch

Scratch it by knowing first which type you have.

Acrobatic HIV Enzyme Caught In Action

New mechanistic finding on reverse transcriptase's sliding and flipping catalytic motions could help advance AIDS drug design

Network pharmacology: the next paradigm in drug discovery

Combination chemical genetics

Targeting and tinkering with interaction networks

Learning biological networks: from modules to dynamics

Native mass spectrometry: a bridge between interactomics and structural biology

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH: Statin Therapy Reduces Disease in Healthy Volunteers--But How, Exactly?

Some experts are calling the 17,800-person JUPITER trial a huge success in preventing cardiovascular disease and proving the value of c-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation, as a risk marker for heart disease. The trial comes with a host of caveats, however, muddying the picture of inflammation's role in cardiovascular disease.

How does bleach bleach?

The ubiquitous disinfectant may kill bacteria by unfolding their proteins.

Billion-dollar bid for stem-cell treatments

Genzyme, a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, announced last week that it will invest up to US$1.4 billion in two adult stem-cell therapies being developed at Osiris Therapeutics.

Neuroscience: The plaque plan

Neuroscientists are pretty sure they know what causes Alzheimer's disease, but their theory has not yet given rise to effective drugs.

Cholesterol Drug Tackles Inflammation--or Does It?

Patients were helped, but experts differ on how to incorporate findings into health care

Shiga Toxin Inhibitor Could Help Combat Food Poisoning

A polymer bound ligand helps hold together an E. coli toxin and an immune protein, which safely whisks the toxin away

HIV vaccine failure explained?

Failed vaccine makes immune cells easier to infect in culture.

Growing up under the guidance of bacteria

Scientists discover how microbes help the mouse gut to mature.

Human genes are multitaskers

Up to 94% of human genes can generate different products (alternative splicing).

Redefining A Protein

Amino acid chain length is not as big a factor as folding dynamics in deciding what constitutes a protein, researchers in Japan say.

New Leads Found For Alzheimer's Therapies

Two potential treatments target enzymatic pathways to reduce amyloid ß-protein levels in mice.

Transporter in Action

The outward facing open and substrate-bound occluded conformations for a nucleobase transporter were reported.

Clocking Clock Components

The structural features of the three essential clock components - KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC - combined with biochemical and biophysical data, reveal molecular mechanisms of biological timekeeping.

Genomic-scale prioritization of drug targets: the TDR Targets database

http://tdrtargets.org : Identification and ranking of targets against neglected tropical diseases

Study Clears Protein Long a Suspect in Artery Damage

Molecule blamed for heart disease might be a bystander

Immune to Anxiety

"Allergy" cells in the rodent brain may keep baseline anxiety under control.

Not Your Garden-Variety Tomato

Researchers engineer cancer-fighting purple tomatoes

Choosing Metals

The cellular location in which an enzyme folds helps it select the right metal catalyst.

Spotting Nascent Protein Crystals

Optical technique reduces background noise and could cut screening times and costs.

Protein Regulation, By Design

Researchers have designed a hybrid protein in which the activity of one protein is controlled by that of another.

Double RNAi Screen Provides Insights Into Signaling Networks

DIABETES: Paradoxical Effects of Tightly Controlled Blood Sugar

Researchers are puzzling over recent trials that had great success in lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetics, but no success in reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease.

Protein Aggregates Probed

Inclusion bodies may have more diverse structures than anticipated.

Cholera Turn-On

Chemical switch activates disease-enhancing toxin.

Lights! Camera! Action! Zebrafish Embryos Caught on Film

A set of unusual movies, described online this week in Science and available on the Web, shows all the movements and divisions of cells in a zebrafish embryo during its first day of development.

New Data Resource to Advance Computer-Aided Drug Design

The University of Michigan will lead an NIGMS-supported effort to expand and enhance the molecular data needed to develop computer programs that more accurately predict potential drug candidates

October 9, 2008,NIGMS News,

Making Clinical Data Widely Available

Granting public access to drug trial results and sharing patient data among researchers will make products safer and advance science, proponents say.

Cholesterol Veers Off Script

Recent trials of drugs that either lower "bad" cholesterol or raise the "good" kind have produced surprising results; along with genetics research, these findings have put in question some long-held beliefs

Great glowing jellyfish! It's the Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Green fluorescent protein bags the biggest gong in science.

Collaboration: Group theory

What makes a successful team? John Whitfield looks at research that uses massive online databases and network analysis to come up with some rules of thumb for productive collaborations.

Virus discoveries secure Nobel prize in medicine

Work on HIV and human papilloma virus already offers health benefits.

Nobel Prize Surprise

HIV, HPV Researchers Honored, but One Scientist Is Left Out

More Misfortune for Mammals

Half of life's furry creatures are declining in number, according to new database

Peptide-Producing Powerhouses

Researchers are getting a clearer picture of massive microbial assembly-line enzymes.

Rapid Tagging Of Biomolecules

Cycloaddition never before used biologically could help assemble sophisticated probes.

Bacterial Stress Reliever

First comprehensive view of stressosome complex.

A Giant Leap for Wheat Genome

Researchers make significant progress toward sequencing highly complex crop

A Viral Blast From the Past

Fifty-year-old sample sheds light on when HIV jumped from chimps to humans

Non-Coding, 'Ultraconserved' DNA Rarely Lost from Mammalian Genome

Researchers Trace Small RNAs Back to Early Animal Evolution

A very public battle

The fight to buy ImClone highlights the value of new cancer drugs #20; especially if they're difficult to copy.

Proteins Caught In The Act

X-ray scattering technique captures conformational changes on nanosecond time scale.

Opsin's Active Conformation

Crystal structure of G-protein-coupled receptor provides new insight for how this class of proteins senses chemical and light signals

Amino Acid Switch Turns Protein From Binder To Cleaver

By replacing a single naturally occurring amino acid with an unnatural amino acid

Plants' Aspirin SOS

Walnut trees under stress fill the air with significant quantities of methyl salicylate

Systems-level metabolic flux profiling identifies fatty acid synthesis as a target for antiviral therapy

Conquering Malaria Once and For All

New plan, unveiled today, calls for billions to fight the disease

PROTEOMICS: Proteomics Ponders Prime Time

Improved technologies for tracking thousands of proteins at once have spawned talk of a full-scale project to reveal all the proteins in each tissue--but the price tag would be daunting.

PROTEOMICS: Will Biomarkers Take Off at Last?

After years of disappointments, proteomics researchers say they're cautiously optimistic that they will be able to detect proteins that are markers for specific diseases.

AGING: Searching for the Secrets of the Super Old

More and more people are living past 110. Can they show us all how to age gracefully?

Conquering Malaria Once and For All

New plan, unveiled today, calls for billions to fight the disease

Cell 'rebooting' technique sidesteps risks

Virus reprograms cells without disrupting genome.

Are Bacteria Foes of Diabetes?

In mice, researchers uncover link between microbes and metabolic? disease prevention

Antibiotic Ideas

Studies advocate blocking cell-division protein, essential metabolic pathway.

NIH Awards $138M for 'Deep Innovation,' Including Genomics, Proteomics Research

Building consensus spectral libraries for peptide identification in proteomics

Japan fast-tracks stem-cell patent

Kyoto University secures first award for induced pluripotent cells.

SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING: House Weighs Proposal to Block Mandatory 'Open Access'

Last week, members of a powerful House committee held the first-ever congressional hearing on a controversial policy requiring researchers to make their papers freely available to the public at a U.S. National Institutes of Health Web site--and floated a proposal to overturn it.

GM Crops Make Good Neighbors

Cotton engineered to produce natural pesticide also protects nonmodified plants nearby

Fat Molecule Fights Weight Gain

Compound prevents mice from storing unhealthy fat

FBI to Request Scientific Review of its Anthrax Investigation

National Academy of Sciences will evaluate evidence that implicated Army researcher

NIGMS Protein Structure Initiative Partners with Nature to Relaunch Knowledgebase

Researchers Merge Sequencing, Proteomics to Analyze Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacterium

Rethinking schizophrenia

Advances could spur treatments for more symptoms than current drugs address.

Oleic Acid's Hypotensive Effect

Olive oil component lowers blood pressure through physical, not metabolic, means.

Broad Gives $400 Million More to Cambridge Institute

Last week, Los Angeles businessman Eli Broad announced a $400 million gift that will allow the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, already a genomics research powerhouse, to become a self-sustaining entity.

Protein engineering: The fate of fingers

Proteins with 'zinc fingers' designed to bind almost any DNA sequence will soon be available to any lab that wants them #20; from two very different sources. Helen Pearson reports on a revolution in designer biology.

Investigation into lost bacteria collection raises concerns about biobanks

Destruction of specimens leaves legislators worried about biological research collections.

Telomerase Component's Structure Solved

Catalytic subunit forms doughnut.

Megaenzyme Revealed

Chemical screening centers get funding boostChallenging Assumptions

Nine centres in the United States receive $280 million to hunt for useful biochemicals.

GENETIC PRIVACY: Whole-Genome Data Not Anonymous, Challenging Assumptions

The discovery that a type of genetic data that is widely shared and often posted online can be traced back to individuals has prompted the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Wellcome Trust to strip some genetic data from their publicly accessible Web sites and NIH to recommend that other institutions do the same.