Tag: drug design
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Protein Dark Energy: Revealing How Form Drives Function in Structure
Introduction: A new lens for protein structure Researchers are drawing an intriguing parallel between cosmology and biophysics. In astronomy, dark energy explains the universe’s accelerated expansion. In protein science, a similarly elusive force, colloquially termed protein dark energy, helps explain how a protein’s form governs its function. This emerging framework, championed by researchers including Rice…
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Protein Dark Energy Reveals Form vs Function in Molecular Architecture
Unveiling a Hidden Force in Protein Folding In the world of molecular biology, researchers have long tracked how proteins fold into precise shapes that govern their function. A fresh line of inquiry, inspired by the cosmological term “dark energy,” suggests there is a similarly enigmatic energy component at work within proteins. This so‑called protein dark…
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How Structural Findings Explain Why GPCR Ligands Trigger Different Activation Levels
Understanding GPCRs and Their Ligands G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are essential players in cellular communication. They sit on the cell surface and respond to a diverse set of ligands—ranging from tiny ions to large proteins—that bind to the receptor and initiate intracellular signaling. The resulting response is mediated primarily through heterotrimeric G proteins, which translate…
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Opioid receptors in motion: new clues for safer painkillers
Understanding the moving target: mu-opioid receptors For decades, scientists have known that opioids relieve pain by binding to mu-opioid receptors in the brain. These molecular switches, when activated, set off a cascade of signals that dull the perception of pain. But the exact sequence of events inside the receptor remained murky. A recent wave of…
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LassoESM: AI Accelerates Discovery of Therapeutic Lasso Peptides
AI Meets Biochemistry: LassoESM Joins the Hunt for Therapeutic Peptides Therapeutic peptides crafted from the knot-like lasso structure are drawing attention in the fight against cancer and infectious diseases. The unique slip-knot topology endows these natural products with remarkable stability and a broad range of biological activities, positioning them as promising candidates for new drugs.…
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Membrane Protein Function: Computational Strategy Illuminated
New Computational Strategy Sheds Light on Membrane Protein Function Membrane proteins orchestrate essential cellular tasks, from moving substances across the lipid bilayer to transmitting signals and aiding cell-to-cell interactions. When these proteins malfunction, it can lead to diseases including cancer, making them prime targets for therapeutics. Yet studying their behavior is notoriously challenging because their…
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Researchers Unveil How a Membrane Protein Motif Stabilizes Protein Architecture
New Insights into Membrane Protein Architecture Scientists at Scripps Research have unlocked fresh understanding of how membrane proteins—crucial players in transport, signaling, and cellular adhesion—achieve and maintain their complex shapes within the cell’s lipid envelope. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on October 7, 2025, the study presents a computer-guided approach…