Tag

Protein Synthesis

All articles tagged with #protein synthesis

science6 days ago•5 min saved

Giant mimivirus commandeers host ribosomes to turbocharge replication

Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus, a giant virus visible under a light microscope, multiplies by hijacking the host’s ribosome‑based protein production. The study identifies three viral proteins that form a complex with host ribosomes to drive viral protein synthesis; deleting any one of these proteins slows replication by 1,000–100,000 times, providing the first clear experimental evidence that giant viruses can co-opt cellular machinery.

via Nature|

#giant-virus #host-pathogen-interaction #mimivirus

technology7 days ago•7 min saved

AI-powered robot labs slash protein-synthesis costs, but humans still needed

A collaboration between OpenAI and Ginkgo Bioworks used a GPT-5–driven autonomous lab to optimize cell-free protein synthesis, achieving a 40% further cost reduction beyond a human-led record and testing more than 30,000 conditions in six months. While the approach shows promise, current robots still lack dexterity for bespoke or tissue-related experiments, meaning human biologists’ expertise remains essential for future breakthroughs.

via Nature|

#autonomous-labs #gpt-5 #lab-automation

health-and-nutrition5 months ago•5 min saved

Top Nutrition Tips and Foods to Maximize Muscle Gains and Recovery

A study found that lean pork enhances muscle growth after exercise more effectively than high-fat pork, challenging previous assumptions about dietary fat's role in muscle building, and highlighting the importance of whole, unprocessed foods for optimal post-exercise recovery.

via SciTechDaily|

#dietary-fat #health-and-nutrition #muscle-growth

science6 months ago•4 min saved

New Study Supports 'Thioester World' Theory in Life's Origins

Scientists at UCL have demonstrated a chemical process that could have occurred on early Earth, linking amino acids to RNA in water under neutral pH, providing insights into the origin of protein synthesis and supporting theories about life's emergence involving RNA and thioesters.

via ScienceDaily|

#amino-acids #early-earth #origin-of-life

neuroscience1 year ago•6 min saved

Unraveling the Molecular Basis of Learning and Memory Formation

Researchers have developed a new platform, TurboID, to explore dendritic translation's role in memory formation and its implications for intellectual disorders, identifying 1,000 small proteins produced in dendrites during memory formation. The study highlighted the role of FMRP, a protein linked to Fragile X syndrome, in binding mRNA within dendrites, suggesting a new avenue for understanding intellectual disabilities. The development of dendritic-TurboID technology allows for unprecedentedly detailed analysis of protein synthesis in dendrites, offering potential for broad applications in neuroscience research.

via Neuroscience News|

#dendritic-translation #fragile-x-syndrome #memory-formation

science-and-technology2 years ago•43 min saved

"Methylpseudouridylation: Unraveling the Mystery of Ribosomal Frameshifting"

The presence of N1-methylpseudouridine (1-methylΨ) in mRNA can cause ribosomal frameshifting, leading to the production of +1 frameshifted polypeptides. This study investigated the effects of various modified ribonucleotides on mRNA translation and found that 1-methylΨ significantly increased frameshifting. Furthermore, it was observed that mRNA vaccines containing 1-methylΨ, such as the approved SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, can elicit off-target cellular immune responses due to the production of +1 frameshifted antigens. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the impact of modified ribonucleotides on protein synthesis and the design of mRNA-based therapeutics.

via Nature.com|

#frameshifting #mrna #mrna-vaccines

science-and-technology2 years ago•18 min saved

Maintaining Accuracy in Protein Synthesis: Insights from mRNA Reading Frame Maintenance

Researchers have made atomic coordinates and cryo-EM maps available for complexes involved in mRNA reading frame maintenance during eukaryotic ribosome translocation. The study sheds light on the mechanisms of translation elongation and the role of GTP hydrolysis in translocation, providing insights into the fidelity of mRNA translation and potential targets for selective inhibition of protein synthesis.

via Nature.com|

#eukaryotic #mrna #protein-synthesis

science-and-technology2 years ago•3 min saved

Revolutionary Methods to Enhance Gene Expression Deficiencies

A new molecular technology called translation-activating RNAs (taRNAs) has been developed to regulate gene expression by binding to specific mRNA molecules and increasing protein synthesis. This technology offers a potential solution for diseases caused by insufficient gene expression, such as cancer and genetic disorders. In experiments, taRNAs successfully increased the levels of target mRNAs and proteins in human cells, including tumor suppressors and synaptic regulators. The findings demonstrate a promising strategy for treating diseases related to gene and protein expression insufficiency.

via Phys.org|

#gene-expression #molecular-technology #mrna

science-and-technology2 years ago•2 min saved

Harnessing Ribosomes: Unlocking the Potential of Chemical Libraries

A research team at the University of California, Irvine has developed a new method for creating large collections of chemical compounds used in drug discovery by utilizing ribosomes, the molecules responsible for protein synthesis. This innovative technique replaces the labor-intensive process of manually synthesizing and screening chemical libraries, allowing for the rapid discovery of new drugs. The team successfully generated gel beads containing ribosomes, RNA polymerase, and DNA cores that encode specific peptide molecules. This approach enables the synthesis and screening of vast libraries in parallel, advancing pharmaceutical discoveries and potentially benefiting other fields such as enzyme engineering and material development.

via Phys.org|

#chemical-libraries #drug-discovery #peptide-synthesis

science-and-technology2 years ago•2 min saved

"Unraveling the Link: Protein Synthesis and Cognitive Disorders"

Researchers at RIKEN have discovered a link between overactive quality control in protein synthesis and neurodevelopmental disorders, which can inhibit neural growth and communication, leading to cognitive dysfunction. By studying mice lacking a key gene in ribosome-associated quality control, the team found that the overexpression of a signaling molecule called TTC3 curbs the extension of neurites, reducing communication between neurons and causing cognitive dysfunction. This finding could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies to target TTC3 or other signaling factors to treat cognitive disorders.

via SciTechDaily|

#cognitive-dysfunction #neurodevelopmental-disorders #protein-synthesis

health-and-fitness2 years ago•4 min saved

The Science Behind Muscle Building: Unraveling the Mystery of Individual Differences

Building muscle involves a complex interplay of factors, including protein synthesis, muscle damage, and genetic factors. Resistance exercises like weightlifting stimulate muscle growth by triggering protein synthesis and muscle repair. However, excessive muscle damage can hinder growth. Muscle fibers, which cannot divide, rely on satellite cells to donate nuclei for growth. Genetic factors, such as muscle fiber type and ribosome composition, can also influence muscle growth. While some individuals may have genetic disadvantages, various strategies like resistance training and protein intake can help optimize muscle growth for everyone.

via Livescience.com|

#exercise #genetic-factors #health-and-fitness

science2 years ago•5 min saved

Methylation Process Fully Defined by Scientists

Researchers from UNSW Sydney have fully delineated the process of methylation, a key cellular procedure involving the addition of a ‘tagging’ methyl group to proteins, DNA, and other molecules, influencing cellular behavior and protein synthesis. This landmark study proposes a nearly complete picture of the methylation system, paving the way for new inquiries into the overall system function and potential applications in areas like baking, brewing, biofuel production, and disease treatment.

via SciTechDaily|

#biofuel-production #cellular-behavior #disease-treatment

science-and-technology2 years ago•12 min saved

"Genetic Hacking: Empowering Proteins with New Abilities"

Scientists are hacking the genetic code to expand the number of amino acids that can be used to create proteins, which could lead to the development of new materials and therapeutics. By modifying the cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis, researchers have been able to incorporate non-canonical amino acids into proteins, creating molecules with new properties. They have also used this approach to create polymers and to genetically isolate cells. While much of this work has been done in vitro, researchers are working to apply these techniques to living cells and to create entirely new polymers with the same level of sequence definition as proteins.

via Nature.com|

#genetic-code #non-canonical-amino-acids #polymers

science2 years ago•3 min saved

Discovery of Missing Link in mRNA Delivery to Brain Cells.

Scientists have discovered a protein complex, named FERRY, that links mRNA to intra-cellular carriers, and elucidates its role and structure. The discovery may lead to a better understanding of neurological disorders caused by FERRY malfunction and possibly to new medical targets. The results are detailed in two recent works, published back-to-back in the journal Molecular Cell.

via Phys.org|

#ferry-complex #mrna #neurological-disorders

science2 years ago•1 min saved

Illuminating Human mRNA Decoding Mechanism.

Researchers have used single-molecule imaging and cryo-electron microscopy techniques to investigate the mechanism of messenger-RNA decoding in humans and found that human ribosomes function differently than those of bacteria, explaining why they are slower and more accurate. Ribosomes use messenger-RNA sequences to synthesize proteins, and these findings shed light on the structural and kinetic differences in this process between cell-nucleus-bearing species and bacteria.

via Nature.com|

#cryo-electron-microscopy #messenger-rna #protein-synthesis