Membrane

SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins trigger periodontal fibrosis

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers examined the pathological impacts of the structural components of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on human periodontal cells and tissue to understand the association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and deteriorating oral health. Study: SARS-CoV-2 causes periodontal fibrosis by deregulating mitochondrial β-oxidation. … Read more

What is the impact of cholesterol on SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-mediated membrane fusion?

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers assessed the impact of ceramide (CER) and cholesterol (CHOL) on membrane fusion mediated by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. Study: Cholesterol and ceramide facilitate SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-mediated membrane fusion. Image Credit: CROCOTHERY/Shutterstock. Background SARS-CoV-2 entrance into host cells is … Read more

Cryo-electron microscopy reveals atomic structure of Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteriophage

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Cryo-electron microscopy by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers has exposed the structure of a bacterial virus with unprecedented detail. This is the first structure of a virus able to infect Staphylococcus epidermidis, and high-resolution knowledge of structure is a key link between viral biology and potential therapeutic use of the virus to quell bacterial … Read more

Research reveals the assembly dynamics of nucleocapsid protein condensates can be regulated by small molecules with therapeutic potential

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In a recent study posted to bioRxiv*, researchers developed a screening platform and identified molecules with anti-coronavirus (anti-CoV) activity. Study: A screen for modulation of nucleocapsid protein condensation identifies small molecules with anti-coronavirus activity. Image Credit: jijomathaidesigners/Shutterstock Background Biomolecular condensates are membrane-less organelles formed by liquid-liquid phase separation of proteins or ribonucleic acids (RNAs). The … Read more

SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins utilize different mechanisms to bind to ACE2

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A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences applied computational approaches to study the binding mechanisms of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and SARS-CoV spike (S) proteins to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Study: Spike proteins of SARS-COV and SARS-COV-2 utilize different mechanisms to bind with human … Read more

Cryo-electron tomography helps visualize platelet deformation due to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers used cellular cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to demonstrate the role of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-triggered severe coagulopathies. Study: Direct Cryo-ET observation of platelet deformation induced by SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. Image Credit: Sergejs Pintis/Shutterstock Background … Read more

SARS-CoV-2 open reading frame 3c protein found to be targeted selectively to mitochondria

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers presented a functional analysis of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) open reading frame 3c (ORF3c) protein. Study: The SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF3c is a mitochondrial modulator of innate immunity. Image Credit: Corona Borealis Studio/Shutterstock Background The genome of SARS-CoV-2 encodes a wide … Read more

Structure-directed mutagenesis produces thermostable SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimers with potential vaccine booster applications

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, a team of researchers investigated the change in the stability, antigenicity, and protein expression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein trimer using structure-directed mutagenesis to alter a cavity in the core of the spike protein. Study: Enhanced stability of the … Read more

Study sheds light on how Gram-negative bacteria construct outer membrane to resemble body armor

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A new study published in the journal Science Advances sheds light on how Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli construct their outer membrane to resemble body armor, which has far-reaching implications for the development of antibiotics. Professor Colin Kleanthous in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford led the interdisciplinary study, with contributions from … Read more

Discovery provides better understanding of retinal protein’s structure and function

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Scientists have discovered a mechanism by which an area of ​​a protein shape-shifts to convert vitamin A into a form usable by the eye’s light-sensing photoreceptor cells. A previously uncharacterized area of ​​the protein known as RPE65 spontaneously turns spiral-shaped when it encounters intracellular membranes, or thin structures that surround different parts of a cell. … Read more