First Step-by-Step Snapshots of Transcription Initiation
When a gene is turned on--such as insulin in pancreatic cells or melanin in skin cells--an enzyme called RNA polymerase transcribes the genetic information from DNA into RNA. But RNA polymerase can’t initiate the process alone. A bevy of helper molecules identify the gene’s start site, provide a landing pad for the polymerase and prime the DNA for transcription. These helpers alight onto the DNA and assemble into a growing complex in a precise, stepwise manner that has now been captured in a series of detailed molecular snapshots. Knowing how this intricate complex forms provides a valuable framework for understanding ...
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - March 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
A Potential Cure for Kissing Bug’s Infectious Bite
Chagas disease, which is caused by a parasite and transmitted by a “kissing bug,” can lead to intestinal infection, heart disease and even death. Right now, treatment options are limited and toxic. This might change if new research on VNI, a small molecule, continues to show promise. In mouse models, researchers used VNI to inhibit an enzyme that the parasite needs to survive, achieving both a 100 percent parasitological cure and survival rate with no toxic side effects. (Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat)
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - March 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
New Catalysts Improve Production of Important Organic Molecules
Making molecules for biomedical uses is tricky. The work is often expensive and time-consuming, requiring extreme temperatures, toxic ingredients and rare or precious metals. Now, chemists synthesizing common organic molecules can overcome these challenges by employing a new class of catalysts (substances used to spur chemical reactions). The catalysts are renewable, cheap to prepare and easy to use. They promote extraordinarily selective reactions that favor desired products over chemically similar but inactive molecules. The catalysts will enable chemists to create a wide variety of biologically and medically useful mole...
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - March 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
Structural Details of Enzyme Involved in Antibiotic Resistance
Disease-causing bacteria like E. coli have a natural defense against antibiotics--an enzyme called NDM-1. Researchers now have a more detailed understanding of how the enzyme works. NDM-1 binds to and breaks the ß-lactam ring, a structure that antibiotics need to function. Certain metals, including zinc, manganese and cadmium, can bind to the enzyme’s active site and to the ß-lactam ring. While some metals allow the enzyme to cleave the ring, cadmium tends to prevent it from doing so. This inhibitor may offer clues to designing more effective antibiotics, especially ones for drug-resistant “superbugs.” (Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat)
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - March 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
Cool Image: Nanoparticles and Lung Function
This image may resemble a trendy textile from a fashion designer’s spring collection, but it’s actually a microscopic image of lung surfactant, a lipid-protein material that aids in respiration by reducing the amount of energy needed. Using microscopy techniques, the researchers captured a snapshot of the changes that occur (black) when surfactant molecules are stressed by carbon nanoparticles. The scientists found that if inhaled, carbon nanoparticles could influence the function of the main lipid component of surfactant. A likely gateway for nanoparticles to enter the body is through the lungs, so this and future stu...
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - March 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
Enzyme Plays a Role in Folic Acid’s Effectiveness
Scientists recently set out to discover how birth defects occur in the embryos of some women even though they supplement their diets with folic acid. They found that mice lacking a gene for a folic acid enzyme called Mthfd1l were unable to produce formate, which is essential for normal embryo development. The work also revealed that one way folic acid reduces birth defects is by contributing to the production of formate in mitochondria. Future studies could aid the design of folic acid substitutes for women lacking Mthfd1l. (Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat)
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - February 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
New Compound Treats MRSA in Mice
MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant staph infection, can be deadly, especially to people with weakened immune systems. Researchers have discovered a new anti-MRSA compound and tested it in mice. All 20 infected mice that received the compound survived. The compound also boosted the power of methicillin against the bacterium, potentially reinstating the antibiotic as an effective drug against MRSA infections in people. The work could lead to new treatments for infections caused by MRSA, including combination therapies that involve methicillin, as well as completely new antibiotics. (Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat)
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - February 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
Explaining the Itch Factor
Eating hot peppers sets your mouth on fire, while getting stung makes you scratch. A group of sensory nerve cells signal such pain and itch. However, scientists have wondered whether these nerves actually communicate both sensations to the brain. A series of experiments using mice confirmed that a subset of these cells does send pain and itch signals but that mouse brains interpreted both as itch. So when mice with these cells were exposed to the fiery substance in hot peppers, they scratched their cheeks, instead of pawing away the pain. If confirmed in humans, the findings may help lead to treatments for chronic itch, in...
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - February 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
Getting to the Bottom of Intestinal Inflammation and Cancer
One of the dangers of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the risk of developing intestinal cancers, such as colorectal cancer. Results from a recent study suggest that fingolimod, a drug already approved to treat multiple sclerosis, could decrease or possibly stop the progression of IBD-related cancers. Using a mouse model, researchers showed that increased production of an enzyme causes intestinal cells to produce more molecules that trigger intestinal inflammation and cancer. Giving fingolimod to the mice decreased these activities. The scientists are planning more experiments to understand the link between inflammatory...
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - February 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
Cool Video: How a Virus Infects
A virus can behave like a predator during its search for the ideal host. A new animation shows how it finds and infects a cell. Here, a T7 virus, with its head colored blue and tail colored red, searches for a suitable E. coli bacterium. While what we’re about to see is specific to T7, a similar process may allow other viruses to infect cells. The details may offer future targets for drug development. The T7 virus has six ultra-thin fibers, shown here in yellow, that are folded at the base of the head. While roaming the cell, the virus extends a few of these fibers. This action allows the virus to move freely around the ...
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - February 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
Enzyme Plays a Role in Folic Acid’s Effectiveness
Scientists recently set out to discover how birth defects occur in the embryos of some women even though they supplement their diets with folic acid. They found that mice lacking a gene for a folic acid enzyme called Mthfd1l were unable to produce formate, which is essential for normal embryo development. The work also revealed that one way folic acid reduces birth defects is by contributing to the production of formate in mitochondria. Future studies could aid the design of folic acid substitutes for women lacking Mthfd1l. (Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat)
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - February 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
New Compound Treats MRSA in Mice
MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant staph infection, can be deadly, especially to people with weakened immune systems. Researchers have discovered a new anti-MRSA compound and tested it in mice. All 20 infected mice that received the compound survived. The compound also boosted the power of methicillin against the bacterium, potentially reinstating the antibiotic as an effective drug against MRSA infections in people. The work could lead to new treatments for infections caused by MRSA, including combination therapies that involve methicillin, as well as completely new antibiotics. (Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat)
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - February 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
Explaining the Itch Factor
Eating hot peppers sets your mouth on fire, while getting stung makes you scratch. A group of sensory nerve cells signal such pain and itch. However, scientists have wondered whether these nerves actually communicate both sensations to the brain. A series of experiments using mice confirmed that a subset of these cells does send pain and itch signals but that mouse brains interpreted both as itch. So when mice with these cells were exposed to the fiery substance in hot peppers, they scratched their cheeks, instead of pawing away the pain. If confirmed in humans, the findings may help lead to treatments for chronic itch, in...
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - February 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
Getting to the Bottom of Intestinal Inflammation and Cancer
One of the dangers of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the risk of developing intestinal cancers, such as colorectal cancer. Results from a recent study suggest that fingolimod, a drug already approved to treat multiple sclerosis, could decrease or possibly stop the progression of IBD-related cancers. Using a mouse model, researchers showed that increased production of an enzyme causes intestinal cells to produce more molecules that trigger intestinal inflammation and cancer. Giving fingolimod to the mice decreased these activities. The scientists are planning more experiments to understand the link between inflammatory...
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - February 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
Cool Video: How a Virus Infects
A virus can behave like a predator during its search for the ideal host. A new animation shows how it finds and infects a cell. Here, a T7 virus, with its head colored blue and tail colored red, searches for a suitable E. coli bacterium. While what we’re about to see is specific to T7, a similar process may allow other viruses to infect cells. The details may offer future targets for drug development. The T7 virus has six ultra-thin fibers, shown here in yellow, that are folded at the base of the head. While roaming the cell, the virus extends a few of these fibers. This action allows the virus to move freely around the ...
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - February 21, 2013 Category: Research Source Type: news
