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Novel CRISPR enzyme could expand the range of targets for gene therapy
The novel CRISPR-CasΦ enzyme, isolated from bacteriophages, can target a wider range of genetic sequences, say the researchers.
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Enzymes
Enzymes are macromolecular biological catalysts. Enzymes accelerate, or catalyse, chemical reactions.
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Natural killer cells aid in breast cancer metastasis, reports study
Researchers found breast cancer cells reprogrammed natural killer T cells, altering gene expression and receptor expression so they help cancerous metastases spread.
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Blocking cholesterol storage halts pancreatic cancer growth
Scientists identified a novel, highly specific drug target in the enzyme (sterol O-acyltransferase 1 (SOAT1)) cancer cells use to store cholesterol.
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Targeting SARM1 to protect vision across retinal degenerative diseases
Dr Sarah Doyle and Dr Ema Ozaki outline their research into SARM1 and why it presents an attractive target for treating retinal degeneration.
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Protease inhibitors could be highly effective against SARS-CoV-2
Researchers reveal the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is highly sensitive to disruption, therefore Mpro inhibitors could be a potential COVID-19 therapeutic.
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High-throughput screening as a method for discovering new drugs
High-throughput screening is a common method of identifying lead compounds for drug development. The most common targets are enzymes – catalytic proteins that perform chemical reactions in the cell. In this article, Matthew Lloyd discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with this approach.
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Mapping SARS-CoV-2 infection in the airway
Researchers found there is a gradient of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity down the airway and that the severe pneumonia symptoms may be caused by aspiration of oral contents into the lungs.
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Flow synthesis technology enables faster protein production
The novel protocol allows proteins over 100 amino acids long to be synthesised in hours and include amino acids that do not occur in the human proteome.
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Gangliosides enable hepatitis A to infect hepatocytes
Researchers use CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing to establish gangliosides are invoved in hepatitis A entering liver cells, revealing a potential drug target.
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Study shows structure of biocatalysts changes in certain environments
Researchers have found that the structure of biocatalysts such as enzymes depends on whether they are in cells or in the test tube.
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Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) regulates pathological response of inflammatory monocytes: a potential target of adjuvant therapies for COVID-19 infection
Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) plays a key role in the regulation of inflammatory response in monocytes so could be a target for COVID-19, argue Dr Rosa Maria Tordera and Maria Cortes.
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COVID-19 research indicates SARS-CoV-2 exploits immune defences to drive infection
A new study has revealed that less than 10 percent of respiratory and intestinal cells are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and expression of ACE2 receptors is driven by the body's immune response.
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VP3 protein: revealing the structure of a potential rotavirus drug target
Researchers hope that by revealing the rotavirus VP3 protein structure and mRNA capping functions, novel antivirals could be designed to prevent or combat rotavirus infections.
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Chronic use of heart disease medications may increase the risk of severe COVID-19
A researcher has revealed that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may increase the risk of severe lung complications in COVID-19.
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Structure of lipin enzyme responsible for triglycerides revealed for first time
Researchers have obtained the crystal structure of the lipin enzyme, the regulator of triglyceride production, which they say could inform research into heart disease, obesity and diabetes.