In this study, the authors test whether excess copper exposure has neurobehavioral effects on Hirudo verbana leeches.
Read More...Browse Articles
Disruptions in protein-protein interactions between HTT, PRPF40B, and MECP2 are involved in Lopes-Maciel-Rodan syndrome
In an extensive study of gene mutations, and their resulting effect on protein-protein interactions, Desai and Stork found that HTT-PRPF40B-MECP2 interactions are weakened with progression of Lopes-Maciel-Rodan syndrome.
Read More...AI-designed mini-protein targeting claudin-5 to enhance blood–brain barrier integrity
The authors employ computational protein design to identify a mini-protein with the potential to enhance binding of the tight junction protein, claudin-5, at the blood-blood barrier with therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases.
Read More...Primary source of dietary protein is correlated with differences in the intestinal microbiome diversity
We know relatively little about how vegan diets and non-vegan diets compare when it comes to the gut microbiome. Gollamudi and Gollamudi tackle this challenge by investigating how changes in a participant's diet affected the diversity of their intestinal microbiome.
Read More...Applying centrality analysis on a protein interaction network to predict colorectal cancer driver genes
In this article the authors created an interaction map of proteins involved in colorectal cancer to look for driver vs. non-driver genes. That is they wanted to see if they could determine what genes are more likely to drive the development and progression in colorectal cancer and which are present in altered states but not necessarily driving disease progression.
Read More...DNA repair protein mutations alter blood cancer sensitivity to cisplatin or gemcitabine in vitro
The authors investigate whether human blood cancers carrying mutations in DNA repair genes possess increased sensitivity to common chemotherapy drugs cisplatin or gemcitabine.
Read More...Reducing levels of C-Reactive Protein: An eight-week, open-label clinical trial of three oral supplements
In this study, the effects of vitamin C, ginger, or curcumin supplements on C-reactive protein levels in healthy participants are determined in an eight-week open-label trial.
Read More...Fluorescein or Green Fluorescent Protein: Is It Possible to Create a Sensor for Dehydration?
Currently there is no early dehydration detection system using temperature and pH as indicators. A sensor could alert the wearer and others of low hydration levels, which would normally be difficult to catch prior to more serious complications resulting from dehydration. In this study, a protein fluorophore, green fluorescent protein (GFP), and a chemical fluorophore, fluorescein, were tested for a change in fluorescence in response to increased temperature or decreased pH. Reversing the pH change did not restore GFP fluorescence, but that of fluorescein was re-established. This finding suggests that fluorescein could be used as a reusable sensor for a dehydration-related pH change.
Read More...Impact of TCERG1 SNP on gene expression and protein interactome in Huntington’s disease
The authors assess a genetic variant within a well-known interaction partner of huntingtin that has been linked to modifying the age of onset of Huntington's disease.
Read More...The Cilium- and Centrosome-Associated Protein CCDC11 Is Required for Cytokinesis via Midbody Recruitment of the ESCRT- III Membrane Scission Complex Subunit CHMP2A
In order for cells to successfully multiply, a number of proteins are needed to correctly coordinate the replication and division process. In this study, students use fluorescence microscopy and molecular methods to study CCDC11, a protein critical in the formation of cilia. Interestingly, they uncover a new role for CCDC11, critical in the cell division across multiple human cell lines.
Read More...