Receptor

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

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

Study shows how dietary saturated/trans fats promote liver tumorigenesis

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Fatty foods harm our health. Prior research has established a link between the consumption of dietary fats and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which subsequently leads to inflammation and tumor formation in the liver. However, the precise effects of dietary fat composition on liver tumorigenesis remain elusive. A new study shows that dietary saturated/trans fats, but … Read more

Comparison of blood plasma protein expression in mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 identifies novel disease severity biomarkers

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* server, researchers evaluated blood plasma proteins to identify new targets for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment approaches and prevent complications associated with severe illness. Study: Proteomic profiling identifies biomarkers of COVID-19 severity. Image Credit: Billion Photos/Shutterstock Background There is an unmet need for effective therapies for severe … Read more

Novel prefusion S antigen designed by the mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein’s trimeric structure

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* server, researchers mutated the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein’s trimeric structure to design a novel prefusion S antigen, S2D14. Study: Structural and Computational Design of a SARS-2 Spike Antigen with Increased Receptor Binding Domain Exposure and Improved Immunogenicity. Image Credit: creativeneko/Shutterstock Background … 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

Protein complex may present strong therapeutic target for lethal breast cancer

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Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have shown that a protein complex that governs gene expression (called CoREST) ​​sometimes gets rewired during breast cancer to help estrogen receptor positive (ER+) tumors resist endocrine therapies and become more aggressive. These findings show that specific protein components in … Read more

Researchers design a COVID-19 vaccine construct using hybrid SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and nucleocapsid protein peptides

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers designed a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine construct using hybrid SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) spike(S) protein (containing SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variant mutations) and nucleocapsid (N) protein peptides that confer T lymphocyte-mediated immune protection. Study: De novo design of anti-variant COVID … Read more

High immune protein levels predict both heart failure and death

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For years, cardiologists have zeroed in on a hormone called BNP as a gold standard to determine if patients with heart failure are at risk of severe illness or death. It’s released by the heart in response to when the cardiac tissue stretches due to pressure. While the B-type natriuretic peptide, or BNP, is a … Read more