Current events
scientists x-ray carboxysomes |
November 17, 2014
A new method to view small particles was developed by scientists at Uppsala University using an x-ray laser. The method was tested by spraying carboxysomes, the compartments responsible for carbon fixation in autotrophic bacteria, across the beam of the laser and used their scatter patterns to calculate the structure of the organelles. An important aspect of the new technology is the fact that crystallization of the object being analyzed is not necessary, giving the possibility of living cell analysis in the future. The resolution of the X-ray method can show details as small as 18 nanometers, thus meaning it can be used to analyze something as small as a virus. Although the x-ray pulse destroys the sample, the pattern of diffraction is accurately calculated. These types of technology, the SFX and SBP instruments, will be made available in 2017 at the European XEFL
chromoplast: the bioenergetic organelle |
November 6, 2014
The chromoplast, a new form of organelle found in plants, has been identified as another organelle that is able to synthesize energy for its metabolism. The chromoplast is responsible for the storage of pigments, as well as the ripening of food. Respiratory activity in the chromoplast is known as chromorespiration. Like chloroplasts, this process uses a proton electrochemical potential gradient to synthesize ATP. Despite its commonalities with the mitochondrion and the chloroplast its ATP synthesis process is different in some ways. In the chromoplast, the enzyme ATP synthase is not always active. Furthermore, scientists have also found cytochrome, an element in cyanobacterium, in chromoplasts.
defensive transporters |
November 4, 2014
Proteins embedded in the cell membrane that facilitate the transportation of toxic and essential substances are known as ABS transporters. While these proteins can be responsible for causing diseases, such as Cystic Fibrosis, they are also responsible for recognizing defective cells, such as cancer cells, and play a crucial role in antibiotic resistance development. The structure of this asymmetrical protein remained unknown until scientists at the University of California in San Francisco determined it using a high-resolution cryo-electron microscope. The scientists used a single electron camera, and specific antibody fragments to determine the protein's conformation. With this new finding, many doors for therapeutic approach of diseases have opened for scientists.
Proteins embedded in the cell membrane that facilitate the transportation of toxic and essential substances are known as ABS transporters. While these proteins can be responsible for causing diseases, such as Cystic Fibrosis, they are also responsible for recognizing defective cells, such as cancer cells, and play a crucial role in antibiotic resistance development. The structure of this asymmetrical protein remained unknown until scientists at the University of California in San Francisco determined it using a high-resolution cryo-electron microscope. The scientists used a single electron camera, and specific antibody fragments to determine the protein's conformation. With this new finding, many doors for therapeutic approach of diseases have opened for scientists.
biological architecture |
October 30, 2014
The endoplasmic reticulum is classified as the smooth ER and the rough ER. The endoplasmic reticulum was initially thought to be made up of adjacent hollow sheets, however, it is actually made up of spiral ramps, running up and down through the stacks, known as Terasaki ramps. From a physical point of view, the purpose behind this configuration is to increase the density of ribosomes attached to the ER surface, all while maximizing the space between the ribosomes. Physicists have explained the structure of this organelle by comparing it to a parking garage, which is said to minimize energy and increase stability. After this finding, scientists continue to look for correlations between the shape, functions, and ability to indicate functions seen in diseases. of the organelle.
cellular compartments |
October 26, 2014
A new path for the distribution of proteins to the correct location may have been discovered by scientists at Carnegie University. The team's research is focused around the acidocalcisome, a compartment in plant cells that isolates harmful compounds. These organelles contain an abundant amount of phosphate and are noted to build up to high levels when there is a shortage of sulfur in the plant. The scientists found that these organelles are also responsible for the targeting of proteins out of the cell membrane. The mutation of genes in charge of coding for the acidocalcisome formation in green alga was observed to impact the plant's ability to cope with nitrogen and sulfur deficiency. This led scientists to infer that targeting may also be associated with checkpoints controlling gene expression, and thus impaction normal cell function.