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Showing posts with the label proteins

New understanding of protein processing could have implications for Alzheimer's and some cancers

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Originally published by Katherine Fenz, Rockefeller University, on Jun 5, 2025 edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Andrew Zinin Three dimensional cryo-EM structure of VCP (blue and purple) bound to three VCPIP1 promoters (red, orange, and yellow). Credit: Kapoor lab Healthy cells are constantly breaking down proteins and building up new ones with the help of enzymes aptly named unfoldases , because they unravel proteins tagged for destruction or recycling . Now, a new electron microscopy study demonstrates how VCP, one such unfoldase , physically interacts with tag removal enzymes, called DUBs . The findings show how these two enzymes work in tandem to process proteins , and may have implications for the study of diseases such as those linked to neurodegeneration . The research is published in the Journal of Cell Biology . "VCP dysfunction is linked to neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's," says first author Lauren Vostal, a graduate student in the ...

3D structure of key membrane repair proteins revealed by cryo-electron microscopy

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Originally published by Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, on May 28, 2025 edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan Cryo-EM micrograph (left) of myoferlin particles (with one particle highlighted circle). 3D reconstruction of the myoferlin structure (right), with compact ring-like arrangement of the various key domains (colored) achieved upon membrane binding. Credit: Biological Reviews (2025). DOI: 10.1111/brv.70032 Researchers from the Göttingen Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) have uncovered the 3D structure of the membrane proteins myoferlin and dysferlin using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy. The findings enable new approaches for the development of targeted drugs for the treatment of diseases such as muscle atrophy, hearing disorders and certain cancers . The results have been published in The EMBO Journal . Read more  

New method developed to relocate misplaced proteins in cells

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Originally pyblished by Stanford University , on September 21, 2024 Cells before and after TRAMs were introduced. TRAMs link a shuttle protein (red), and a target protein (green). Without the TRAM, the target protein resides in the nucleus (left), and upon TRAM treatment, the target protein is pulled into the cytoplasm by the shuttle protein (right). Credit: Steven Banik and Christine Ng Cells are highly controlled spaces that rely on every protein being in the right place . Many diseases , including cancers and neurodegenerative disorders, are associated with misplaced proteins . In some cancers , for instance, a protein that normally stands watch over DNA replicating in the nucleus is sent far from the DNA it is meant to monitor, allowing cancers to grow. Steven Banik, assistant professor of chemistry in the School of Humanities and Sciences and institute scholar at Sarafan ChEM-H at Stanford University , and his lab have developed a new method to help force misplaced prote...