Search

Researchers at Liaocheng University in China have developed an advanced biosensor for the ultrasensitive detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a food safety risk factor linked to cancer and other diseases. The biosensor utilizes magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), and aptazymes to detect AFB1 with high sensitivity and specificity. This nanomachine shows promise for detecting various aflatoxins and has been peer-reviewed for its innovative approach. [Extracted from the article]

Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLC has been issued a patent for a method of nanopore RNA characterization. The method involves controlling the movement of RNA through a transmembrane pore using a polynucleotide binding protein, allowing for the characterization of the RNA's secondary structure. This technology has potential applications in health screening, disease resistance in crops, and cellular differentiation. The patent was filed on April 30, 2021, and published online on October 29, 2024. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at the Central University of Tamil Nadu have conducted a study on Alzheimer's disease, focusing on the interplay of kinesin-1, tau, and microtubules in neurodegeneration associated with the condition. The research highlights the importance of investigating motor proteins across various neurological conditions and suggests targeting kinesin and autophagy dysfunctions as potential avenues for novel therapeutic interventions and diagnostics in Alzheimer's disease. The study emphasizes the role of kinesin-1's anterograde transport in Alzheimer's disease and calls for further exploration into the mechanistic impact of motor proteins on neurodegeneration and axonal transport disruptions. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study published in Nature Communications by a team of scientists from New York University explores the connection between gene activity, genome packing, and genome-wide motions. The research reveals that the human genome is "stirred" by transcription-driven motions of single genes, shedding light on the mechanics behind gene regulation and expression. By using advanced imaging techniques and mathematical analysis, the researchers found that active genes contribute to the stirring motion of the genome, impacting gene regulation and expression. This study not only enhances our understanding of the human genome but also provides new insights into the physics of active living systems. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued to the University of Washington for a method of characterizing proteins using a nanopore system. The system involves a nanopore in a membrane that separates two conductive liquid mediums, with the protein physically associated with a polymer in one of the mediums. By applying an electrical potential and measuring the ion current through the nanopore, changes in the position and movement of the polymer can be detected, allowing for the identification of molecules or drugs that modulate the activity or conformation state of the protein. This technique offers improved spatial and temporal resolutions compared to existing methods. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine discusses research findings on liposomes. The study focuses on how kinesin-1 ensembles maneuver vesicular cargoes through the three-dimensional intracellular microtubule network. The researchers found that liposomes decorated with multiple kinesin-1 motors had longer run lengths compared to single motor transported cargo. Additionally, liposomes showed a preference for going straight at 3D microtubule intersections. The study suggests a universal mechanism by which cargoes navigate these intersections. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the University of Zurich discusses the role of the host cytoskeleton in the formation and dynamics of rotavirus viroplasms. Viroplasms are membraneless cytosolic inclusions where the virus replicates and packages its genome. The viroplasms are composed of virus proteins, virus RNAs, and host components such as microtubules and chaperonins. The formation and maintenance of viroplasms rely on their association with the cytoskeleton, particularly microtubules and actin filaments. This research highlights the dynamic interplay between the virus and the host cell during rotavirus replication. [Extracted from the article]

According to a preprint abstract, researchers have developed a method to track the dynamics of elongasome complexes in Bacillus subtilis cells using single molecule fluorescence microscopy. They found that the elongasome is highly processive and that synthesis events are regulated by molecular motor tug-of-war competition between peptidoglycan synthesis complexes associated with the MreB filament. The researchers suggest that this tug-of-war is a key regulator of elongasome dynamics and may also regulate cell shape. This research has not yet been peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]

A patent application by the University of Washington describes a method for characterizing proteins using a nanopore system. The method involves applying an electrical potential to cause a polymer associated with the protein to interact with the nanopore tunnel, measuring the ion current through the nanopore during this interaction, and determining the position and movement of the polymer subunits in the nanopore tunnel. This information can then be associated with characteristics of the protein. The method offers improved spatial and temporal resolutions compared to existing techniques. The patent application also mentions the use of different types of polymers, proteins, and nanopores in the method. [Extracted from the article]

A preprint abstract from biorxiv.org discusses the role of kinesin-1 molecular motors in transporting liposome cargo through 3D microtubule intersections in vitro. The study found that liposomes frequently pause at these intersections, suggesting a tug-of-war between motor teams. The researchers used 3D super-resolution microscopy to analyze the spatial relationships at the intersections and developed an in silico model to understand the mechanics of cargo transport. The findings provide insights into how cells may regulate cargo transport through the microtubule cytoskeleton. However, it is important to note that this preprint has not yet undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]

Cellular Structures, Cytoplasmic Structures, Cytoskeleton, Emerging Technologies, HIV-1, HIV/AIDS, Health and Medicine, Immune System Diseases and Conditions, Intracellular Space, Lentivirus, Molecular Motors, Nanotechnology, Primate Lentiviruses, RNA Viruses, Retroviridae, Vertebrate Viruses, Viral Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Conditions Keywords: Cellular Structures; Cytoplasmic Structures; Cytoskeleton; Emerging Technologies; HIV-1; HIV/AIDS; Health and Medicine; Immune System Diseases and Conditions; Intracellular Space; Lentivirus; Molecular Motors; Nanotechnology; Primate Lentiviruses; RNA Viruses; Retroviridae; Vertebrate Viruses; Viral Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Conditions EN Cellular Structures Cytoplasmic Structures Cytoskeleton Emerging Technologies HIV-1 HIV/AIDS Health and Medicine Immune System Diseases and Conditions Intracellular Space Lentivirus Molecular Motors Nanotechnology Primate Lentiviruses RNA Viruses Retroviridae Vertebrate Viruses Viral Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Conditions 208 208 1 09/11/23 20230911 NES 230911 2023 SEP 11 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at AIDS Weekly -- A new study on HIV/AIDS is now available. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: Cell Membrane; Cell-Matrix Junctions; Cellular Structures; Cytoplasm; Cytoplasmic Structures; Cytoskeleton; Emerging Technologies; Extracellular Matrix; Extracellular Space; Focal Adhesions; Intermediate Filaments; Intracellular Space; Microtubules; Molecular Motors; Nanotechnology; University Court of the University of St. Andrews EN Cell Membrane Cell-Matrix Junctions Cellular Structures Cytoplasm Cytoplasmic Structures Cytoskeleton Emerging Technologies Extracellular Matrix Extracellular Space Focal Adhesions Intermediate Filaments Intracellular Space Microtubules Molecular Motors Nanotechnology University Court of the University of St. Andrews 2730 2730 1 08/28/23 20230901 NES 230901 2023 SEP 1 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Genomics & Genetics Weekly -- A patent by the inventors Gather, Malte C. (Fife, GB), Kronenberg, Nils (Fife, GB), Liehm, Philipp (Fife, GB), filed on November 9, 2015, was published online on August 8, 2023, according to news reporting originating from Alexandria, Virginia, by NewsRx correspondents. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising varying the wavelengths of the light transmitted into the optical cavity and detecting the light emitted from the optical cavity as the function of the wavelengths. Cell movement is usually based on polymerisation of parts of the cytoskeleton at the leading edge, e.g. actin, and depolymerisation at the other end of the cell. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: St. Louis; State:Missouri; United States; North and Central America; Acid Anhydride Hydrolases; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Biopolymers; Cardiac Myosins; Cardiology; Cerebrovascular Diseases and Conditions; Contractile Proteins; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Emerging Technologies; Enzymes and Coenzymes; Health and Medicine; Microfilament Proteins; Molecular Motor Proteins; Molecular Motors; Muscle Proteins; Myosin Type II; Nanotechnology; Peptides; Peptides and Proteins; Proteins; Stroke EN St. Louis State:Missouri United States North and Central America Acid Anhydride Hydrolases Adenosine Triphosphatases Biopolymers Cardiac Myosins Cardiology Cerebrovascular Diseases and Conditions Contractile Proteins Cytoskeletal Proteins Emerging Technologies Enzymes and Coenzymes Health and Medicine Microfilament Proteins Molecular Motor Proteins Molecular Motors Muscle Proteins Myosin Type II Nanotechnology Peptides Peptides and Proteins Proteins Stroke 396 396 1 08/28/23 20230828 NES 230828 2023 AUG 28 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Cardiovascular Week -- Research findings on Cerebrovascular Diseases and Conditions - Stroke are discussed in a new report. In some muscle and nonmuscle myosins, regulatory proteins on actin tune the kinetics, mechanics, and load dependence of the myosin working stroke; however, it is not well understood whether or how thin-filament regulatory proteins tune the mechanics of the cardiac myosin motor. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: Biotechnology; Cancer; Drug Delivery; Drug Delivery Systems; Drugs and Therapies; Emerging Technologies; Molecular Motors; Nanotechnology; Oncology EN Biotechnology Cancer Drug Delivery Drug Delivery Systems Drugs and Therapies Emerging Technologies Molecular Motors Nanotechnology Oncology 54 54 1 07/10/23 20230710 NES 230710 2023 JUL 10 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Cancer Gene Therapy Week -- Fresh data on molecular motors are presented in a new report. Keywords for this news article include: University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, Europe, Biotechnology, Cancer, Oncology, Nanotechnology, Molecular Motors, Drugs and Therapies, Drug Delivery Systems, Emerging Technologies. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: Montclair; State:New Jersey; United States; North and Central America; Antineoplastics; Emerging Technologies; Microtubule Proteins; Molecular Motors; Nanotechnology; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Tubulin EN Montclair State:New Jersey United States North and Central America Antineoplastics Emerging Technologies Microtubule Proteins Molecular Motors Nanotechnology Nerve Tissue Proteins Tubulin 991 991 1 03/27/23 20230331 NES 230331 2023 MAR 31 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Genomics & Genetics Weekly -- Current study results on Nanotechnology - Molecular Motors have been published. Keywords for this news article include: Montclair, New Jersey, United States, North and Central America, Antineoplastics, Emerging Technologies, Microtubule Proteins, Molecular Motors, Nanotechnology, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Tubulin, Montclair State University. [Extracted from the article]

Highlights: [•] Analytical solutions for Nixon–Logvinenko’s and Jung–Brown’s models are obtained. [•] Neurofilament concentrations resulting from these two models are compared. [•] Nixon–Logvinenko’s model predicts slowing of transport for constant kinetic rates. [•] The obtained slowing agrees well with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper develops a model of transport of quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles in membrane nanotubes (MNTs). It is assumed that QDs are transported inside intracellular organelles (called here nanoparticle-loaded vesicles, NLVs) that are propelled by either kinesin or dynein molecular motors while moving on microtubules (MTs). A vesicle may have both types of motors attached to it, but the motors are assumed to work in a cooperative fashion, meaning that at a given time the vesicle is moved by either kinesin or dynein motors. The motors are assumed not to work against each other, when one type of motors is pulling the vesicle, the other type is inactive. From time to time the motors may switch their roles: passive motors can become active motors and vice versa, resulting in the change of the vesicle’s direction of motion. It is further assumed that QDs can escape NLVs and become free QDs, which are then transported by diffusion. Free QDs can be internalized by NLVs. The effects of two possible types of MT orientation in MNTs are investigated: when all MTs have a uniform polarity orientation, with their plus-ends directed toward one of the cells connected by an MNT, and when MTs have a mixed polarity orientation, with half of MTs having their plus-ends directed toward one of the cells and the other half having their plus-ends directed toward the other cell. Computational results are presented for three cases. The first case is when organelles are as likely to be transported by kinesin motors as by dynein motors. The second case is when organelles are more likely to be transported by kinesin motors than by dynein motors, and the third case is when NLVs do not associate with dynein motors at all. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a theoretical study, based on modified Smith–Simmons equations, that compares transport of intracellular organelles in two different neurite outgrowths, dendrites and axons. It is demonstrated that the difference in microtubule polarity orientations in dendrites and axons has significant implications on motor-assisted transport in these neurite outgrowths. The developed approach presents a qualitative theoretical basis for understanding important questions such as why axons exhibit almost an unlimited grows potential in vitro while dendrites remain relatively short. It is shown that the difference in a microtubule polarity arrangement between axons and dendrites may be a regulatory mechanism for limiting dendritic growth. Other biological implications of the developed theory as well as other possible reasons for the difference in microtubule structure between axons and dendrites are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to develop a model for simulation of the formation of organelle traps in fast axonal transport. Such traps may form in the regions of microtubule polar mismatching. Depending on the orientation of microtubules pointing toward the trap region, these traps can accumulate either plus-end or minus-end oriented vesicles. The model predicts that the maximum concentrations of organelles occur at the boundaries of the trap regions; the overall concentration of organelles in the axon with traps is greatly increased compared to that in a healthy axon, which is expected to contribute to mechanical damages of the axon. The organelle traps induce hindrance to organelle transport down the axon; the total organelle flux down the axon with traps is found to be significantly reduced compared to that in a healthy axon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to develop a minimal macroscopic model capable of explaining the formation of traffic jams in fast axonal transport. The model accounts for the decrease of the number density of positively (and negatively) oriented microtubules near the location of the traffic jam due to formation of microtubule swirls; the model also accounts for the reduction of the effective velocity of organelle transport in the traffic jam region due to organelles falling off microtubule tracks more often in the swirl region. The model is based on molecular-motor-assisted transport equations and the hydrodynamic model of traffic jams in highway traffic. Parametric analyses of the model’s predictions for various values of viscosity of the traffic flow, variance of the velocity distribution, diffusivity of microtubule-bound and free organelles, rate constants for binding to and detachment from microtubules, relaxation time, and average motor velocities of the retrograde and anterograde transport, are carried out. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]