Cell Membrane News and Research

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Large nanodiscs simulate viral entry into host cells

In a paper recently uploaded to the journal Frontiers in Biotechnology by Padmanabha Das et al. (June 12th, 2020), a method of producing significantly larger homogenous nanodiscs up to 90 nm in diameter is described, and the advantages and applications of such nanodiscs are explored: better replicating the actual curvature and membrane symmetry of a real cell membrane, and allowing much larger or multiple membrane proteins to be loaded simultaneously.

30 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 interacts with sialic acid cell surface glycans

In a paper recently uploaded to the journal Frontiers in Chemistry by Li et al. (July 22nd, 2021) the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA), the most commonly found sialic acid in humans, is investigated, finding that the molecule may act as a secondary or supplementary receptor to the virus.

30 Jul 2021

New study shines light on how plant cells perceive and respond to mechanical forces

Minuscule tunnels through the cell membrane help cells to perceive and respond to mechanical forces, such as pressure or touch. A new study in the journal Science is among the first to directly investigate what one type of these mechanosensitive ion channels is doing in the tip-growing cells in moss and pollen tubes of flowering plants, and how.

29 Jul 2021

Mass spectrometry used to develop N-glycosylation profiles for SARS-CoV-2 D614G

A new study has characterized and compared the N-glycosylation of the wild type (S-614D) and variant (S-614G) of SARS-CoV-2 S glycoproteins using MS techniques.

28 Jul 2021

Rosin soap as a potential SARS-CoV-2 disinfectant

In a research paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv* by Bell et al. (July 19th, 2021), the potential of rosin soap as a virucide is investigated, finding a ten-thousand-fold drop in infectivity against enveloped viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in particular.

26 Jul 2021

Activation of integrins by SARS-CoV-2 may be key to infection

A new study describes the key role of membrane proteins called integrins, which are present in epithelia, in the entry and propagation of SARS-CoV-2.

25 Jul 2021

MCG scientists find copper transporter as potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases

An internal transporter that enables us to use the copper we consume in foods like shellfish and nuts to enable a host of vital body functions also has the essential role of protecting the receptor that enables us to grow new blood vessels when ours become diseased, Medical College of Georgia scientists report.

20 Jul 2021

A drug candidate to prevent adverse reactions due to COVID-19 infection or vaccines

A new study describes the promising results of a new drug candidate in combating the illness caused by the binding of COVID-19-specific antibodies to infected cells.

18 Jul 2021

Molecular dynamic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors

A new study reports the results of molecular dynamic simulations that were performed in an effort to identify new drugs that could be effective against SARS-CoV-2.

13 Jul 2021

Blood test could be a simple and effective method for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection

A blood test that quantifies the protein ACE2, the cellular protein which allows entry of the coronavirus into cells, as well as ACE2 fragments, produced as a result of interaction with the virus, could be a simple and effective method for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to a study led by Javier Sáez-Valero, from the UMH-CSIC Neurosciences Institute in Alicante, published in FASEB Journal.

13 Jul 2021

Natural compound 'pheophorbide a' demonstrates robust antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

A team of scientists from France has recently demonstrated photosensitive antiviral activity of the natural compound pheophorbide a (Pba) against a broad range of enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses.

12 Jul 2021

New biological pathway selectively controls how key immune cells mature into functional components

Immunologists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a biological pathway that selectively controls how key immune cells, called T follicular helper cells, mature into functional components of the immune system.

8 Jul 2021

New study reports low SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections in vaccinated healthcare workers

Researchers examined cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in fully and partially vaccinated healthcare workers, finding that vaccination provided strong immunity to the virus even though VOCs are on the rise in the non-vaccinated community at large.

7 Jul 2021

Scientists unravel how cell death is initiated on a molecular level

The death of cells is well regulated. If it occurs too much, it can cause degenerative diseases. Too little, and cells can become tumors.

6 Jul 2021

Study explores the effects of SARS-CoV-2 (and other betacoronaviruses) on cellular mRNA processing

A new study has been released on the bioRxiv* preprint server, which deals with a comprehensive survey on alternative splicing concerning SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study has also included two other betacoronavirurses (SARS-CoV and MERS), a control set of unrelated viruses, and a bacterium, namely, Streptococcus pneumonia. The study findings suggest that several cellular parameters are affected owing to a betacoronavirus infection, which in turn affects some genes and invariably various biological functions.

6 Jul 2021

Thiol-based mucolytics show potent allosteric inhibition of SARS-CoV-2-ACE2 binding via disulfide reduction

A compelling report, recently released on the bioRxiv* preprint server, describes unexpectedly powerful inhibition of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by thiol-based mucolytic compounds P2119 and P2165, by preventing the virus spike from binding to its host cell receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

5 Jul 2021

Research points towards macropinocytosis as a target for future cancer treatment

It is the membrane of cancer cells that is at the focus of the new research now showing a completely new way in which cancer cells can repair the damage that can otherwise kill them.

2 Jul 2021

Grapevine leaf extract inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and HSV-1 replication in the lab

Researchers in Italy have shown that leaf extract from the common grapevine – Vitis vinifera – exhibits significant antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

1 Jul 2021

Researchers develop the world's first digital cancer cell model

The computer model, developed under the lead management of researchers at TU Graz, simulates the cyclical changes in the membrane potential of a cancer cell using the example of human lung adenocarcinoma and opens up completely new avenues in cancer research.

1 Jul 2021

Study explores lectins from plants, fungi, algae and cyanobacteria as pan-coronavirus inhibitors

In a recently published article scientists have provided a detailed description of the utility of mannose-specific lectins in preventing coronavirus infections. They have specifically explained how mannose-specific lectins derived from plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria selectively bind N-glycans present on the surface of viral spike protein and how such interactions can be medically utilized to control coronavirus transmission.

1 Jul 2021

Cell Membrane News and Research

Large nanodiscs simulate viral entry into host cells

SARS-CoV-2 interacts with sialic acid cell surface glycans

New study shines light on how plant cells perceive and respond to mechanical forces

Mass spectrometry used to develop N-glycosylation profiles for SARS-CoV-2 D614G

Rosin soap as a potential SARS-CoV-2 disinfectant

Activation of integrins by SARS-CoV-2 may be key to infection

MCG scientists find copper transporter as potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases

A drug candidate to prevent adverse reactions due to COVID-19 infection or vaccines

Molecular dynamic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors

Blood test could be a simple and effective method for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection

Natural compound 'pheophorbide a' demonstrates robust antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

New biological pathway selectively controls how key immune cells mature into functional components

New study reports low SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections in vaccinated healthcare workers

Scientists unravel how cell death is initiated on a molecular level

Study explores the effects of SARS-CoV-2 (and other betacoronaviruses) on cellular mRNA processing

Thiol-based mucolytics show potent allosteric inhibition of SARS-CoV-2-ACE2 binding via disulfide reduction

Research points towards macropinocytosis as a target for future cancer treatment

Grapevine leaf extract inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and HSV-1 replication in the lab

Researchers develop the world's first digital cancer cell model

Study explores lectins from plants, fungi, algae and cyanobacteria as pan-coronavirus inhibitors

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

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