Most proteins are thought to fold into a single active shape. But the human immune protein XCL1 is a rare breed that can switch back and forth between two different structures, each with its own function. A recent study in … Continue reading
Journal Club
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Tag Archives: protein folding
Journal Club: Simple model reproduces patterns of toxic protein buildup across multiple neurodegenerative diseases
Fatal neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) begin as tiny pockets of misfolded proteins that evade the body’s normal detritus-removal systems. They spread throughout the brain and clog neural pathways. But exactly how these proteins propagate … Continue reading
Journal Club: Shark blood compound offers up novel mechanism for stabilizing folded proteins
Sharks and other sea life often maintain high levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in their blood, a compound vital to their surviving in the saline environment. TMAO helps maintain an osmotic balance between body tissues and sea water to prevent … Continue reading
Categories: Biochemistry | Chemistry | Journal Club
Tagged blood, elastin-like polypeptide, model, osmolyte, protein folding, sharks, simulation, trimethylamine N-oxide
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