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Biochemistry

The chemical processes and substances within living organisms, studying proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and their interactions, including enzyme function, metabolic pathways, and molecular mechanisms of life

7 papers

Papers

Interactions between SARS-CoV-2 N-Protein and α-Synuclein Accelerate Amyloid Formation

This study found that the N-protein of SARS-CoV-2 accelerates the formation of alpha-synuclein amyloid fibrils in vitro and alters alpha-synuclein distribution in neuronal cells. Although changes were observed within cells upon injection of the N-protein, the study did not confirm the formation of harmful amyloid fibrils inside the cells. The relationship observed remains to be studied in the context of an actual infection.

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Biochemistry Sep 02, 03:06 PM

Nucleoside diphosphate kinase A (NME1) catalyses its own oligophosphorylation

Researchers discovered that nucleoside diphosphate kinase A (NME1) can catalyze its own oligophosphorylation, a novel protein modification involving the addition of multiple phosphate groups to a single site (Thr94). This process depends on an initial phosphorylation and the catalytic activity of NME1 itself. Oligophosphorylation was observed in HEK293T cell lysates and appears to influence NME1's protein interactions.

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Biochemistry Aug 22, 04:18 PM

Lipid droplets fuel SARS-CoV-2 replication and production of inflammatory mediators

SARS-CoV-2 infection increases lipid droplet (LD) formation in human cells by modulating lipid metabolism. Inhibiting LD formation with a DGAT-1 inhibitor reduces viral replication, cell death, and inflammatory mediator production, suggesting LDs play a role in viral replication and host immune dysregulation. This highlights a potential therapeutic avenue for COVID-19 through targeting lipid metabolic pathways.

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Biochemistry Jul 14, 11:12 AM

A COX-2/sEH dual inhibitor PTUPB alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation

This study found that a dual COX-2 and sEH inhibitor, PTUPB, alleviates LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The dysregulation of CYPs/COX-2 metabolism of arachidonic acid contributes to the uncontrolled inflammatory response in ALI, making it a potential therapeutic target.

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Biochemistry Jul 14, 11:12 AM

SLC7A11 expression level dictates differential responses to oxidative stress in cancer cells

This study reports that high overexpression of the cystine transporter SLC7A11 increases cancer cell death under high H2O2 treatment, contrary to its protective role in moderate oxidative stress. This is due to excessive cystine uptake leading to intracellular disulfide buildup, NADPH depletion, and disulfidptosis, revealing a context-dependent role for SLC7A11 in cancer biology.

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Biochemistry Jul 14, 11:12 AM