All articles tagged with #enzymes
Ian Emmanuel González Santos, who was told he had an attention deficit in grade school, became the youngest graduate in University of Guadalajara history at 13 and is now a 15-year-old doctoral student researching engineered enzymes to depolymerize PET plastic, building on FAST-PETase work while underscoring that real‑world recycling requires clean, well‑sorted plastics and scalable industrial deployment.
New research shows molybdenum, a scarce metal in early Earth's oceans, was crucial for the metabolism of the planet's earliest life forms, dating back to about 3.7–3.1 billion years ago; the study suggests both molybdenum- and tungsten-using enzymes were present early, likely supported by hydrothermal vent systems, and it reframes how we think about life's requirements and the search for life beyond Earth.
Chinese researchers embedded dormant Bacillus subtilis spores in polycaprolactone to create a 'living plastic' with a built-in kill switch. When exposed to warm nutrient broth (~50°C), the spores activate and two enzyme-producing strains—Candida antarctica lipase and Burkholderia cepacia lipase—cooperate to cut long polymer chains and then digest the fragments, fully degrading the film in about six days without leaving microplastics. A wearable electrode prototype showed the material could form recoverable electronics before dissolving; however, the approach uses a relatively easy-to-degrade polymer and requires a lab-like trigger, limiting practicality for real-world plastics or consumer use.
Scientists have engineered a 'universal' kidney that can be accepted across blood types by using enzymes to strip away donor antigens and convert the kidney to a type O-like profile. The enzyme-converted kidney survived for days in a brain-dead recipient, signaling progress toward reducing transplant wait times, though long-term viability and immune responses remain challenges that need further work.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have decoded how plants produce mitraphylline, a rare compound with potential anti-cancer properties, by identifying key enzymes involved in its biosynthesis, paving the way for sustainable drug production.
Researchers have identified that blocking the enzymes PDIA1 and PDIA5 can destabilize the androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells, leading to cell death and tumor shrinkage. Combining inhibitors of these enzymes with existing treatments like enzalutamide enhances effectiveness, offering a promising new approach to overcoming treatment resistance in prostate cancer. The findings suggest that targeting these enzymes could weaken cancer cells by disrupting both their growth signals and energy production, paving the way for more effective therapies.
Scientists have identified two enzymes, PDIA1 and PDIA5, that protect prostate cancer cells and help them resist treatment. Inhibiting these enzymes destabilizes the androgen receptor, leading to cancer cell death and improved effectiveness of existing therapies like enzalutamide. This discovery offers a promising new approach for more effective prostate cancer treatments, especially for resistant cases.
Researchers at the LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics have discovered over 140 enzyme families in spider venom, highlighting its potential beyond neurotoxins. These enzymes could revolutionize industries like waste management and detergent manufacturing due to their sustainable biochemical properties. This finding expands the potential applications of spider venom, traditionally focused on medical and agricultural uses, and opens new research and economic opportunities. The study emphasizes the untapped complexity of spider venoms, with less than one percent of species analyzed so far.
A study has identified two enzymes, CERS5 and CERS6, that mediate the toxic effects of saturated fats in multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting they could be targets for reducing neurodegeneration. The research, conducted in a mouse model, found that a high-fat diet, particularly rich in palm oil, worsens MS symptoms by increasing ceramide C16 levels, which damage nerve cells. Deleting these enzymes in mice reduced disease severity, highlighting the potential for dietary management and new treatment strategies for MS.
Scientists have developed an algorithm to rationally engineer enzymes by considering their evolutionary history, significantly improving their performance and stability. This method, demonstrated on the enzyme beta-lactamase, could have wide-ranging industrial applications, from food production to healthcare.
Fireflies produce light through a chemical reaction involving luciferin, luciferase, ATP, and magnesium in their light organs. This bioluminescence helps them repel predators and communicate during courtship. The process is controlled by oxygen flow, and each species has a unique light sequence for mating. Despite advances in understanding, many aspects of firefly bioluminescence and their natural habitat remain unknown.
Bio-based startups in San Francisco are developing innovative ways to counteract sugar consumption, including a plant fibre-based drink mix that soaks up sugar in the stomach and enzymes that convert sugar into fibre in the gut. These technologies offer the potential to make sugar a healthier, less guilty pleasure, but further studies are needed to evaluate their safety and benefits. While proponents see these innovations as valuable tools in addressing sugar consumption, critics warn that they may encourage continued consumption of unhelpful foods and emphasize the importance of focusing on whole foods and reducing intake of ultra-processed products.
New research from the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Karolinska Institutet challenges the traditional understanding of isotopic effects in biochemical reactions, revealing that the effects can be 250-300% larger than previously believed, depending on temperature. This discovery necessitates a recalibration of molecular dynamics simulations to account for the significant influence of isotopes, which has been consistently overlooked. The study suggests that isotopically pure compounds, such as enzymes, have superior properties and could impact fields ranging from chemistry and biochemistry to biology and medicine.
Scientists at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology have discovered two new enzymes, called "cofactorless oxygenases," which have unique properties that could aid in the development of cancer treatments and other medicines. These enzymes allow bacteria to produce compounds that target and break up DNA, potentially offering new ways to fight infections, viruses, and cancer. The discovery of these enzymes solves a mystery surrounding the potency of a potential antibiotic and anticancer compound called tiancimycin A, and it opens up possibilities for studying and manufacturing complex natural chemicals for medicinal purposes.
Antarctic octopuses, specifically of the genus Pareledone, have been found to survive in the coldest waters on Earth by using their three hearts to pump a special type of blue blood around their bodies, supplying oxygen to tissues even in super-cold environments. These octopuses also possess "cold-adapted" enzymes that allow them to function at lower temperatures. Researchers have discovered that mutations in the amino acid sequence of a specific enzyme, the sodium-potassium pump, provide resistance to the cold and enable the pump to continue working at near-freezing temperatures. Further research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms behind these adaptations.