Tiny Beads Protect Enzymes from Damaging Effects of Plasma Co-substrate

A biology research team from the Ruhr University Bochum found that immobilization protects enzymes from plasma-mediated inactivation.

In general, the researchers aimed to use plasmas (charged gas particles that produce reactive species) to drive enzymes using hydrogen peroxide to actually convert substrates into more valuable products. However, enzymes are sensitive to this treatment and are inactivated briefly. This issue was interestingly resolved with enzyme immobilization by attaching tiny beads with porous surfaces to them. Creating a protective zone between the plasma phase at the top (via buffer solution at the enzyme’s top) and the enzyme below (via beads lying at the sample’s bottom), enzymes had varying survival rates through different immobilization methods. Considering this, the discussed study aimed to study the effects of various methods on plasma stability using a larger set of enzymes among which some convert hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, various types of beads were tested. Following immobilization and the subsequent plasma treatment, the research study found that beads with resin surfaces performed the best, forming the strongest covalent bonds with the enzymes that couldn’t be disassociated. 

It was rather interesting to learn that immobilization allows for enzymes to be vastly more protected from the damaging effects of plasma treatment and the reactive species it produces, allowing the enzyme to be infinitesimally more stable and less susceptive to plasma-mediated deactivation. Through this knowledge, it makes it possible for various enzymes to be treated to produce more valuable substances industrially for consumer culture (i.e. the fragrance (R)-1-phenylethanol) and various other applications.

For more information regarding the study, view the news article linked here and the published journal article linked here.

How molecules in cells 'find' one another and organize into structures

For the first time, a team of researchers shows that RNA molecules can recognize one another to form into the same droplet. This is due to specific 3D shapes that the molecules assume. They worked with fungus cells and colleagues, which showed the RNA molecules ended up in the same droplets, if these 3D structures allow them to bind to one another through base pairing.  They then found out that RNA molecules will end up in different droplets in their secondary 3D structure is shielding any complementarity.  This finding is important because it reveals a selective mechanism for forming these RNA protein condensates.

They still need more evidence; with using fungus researchers believed there should be a liquid-to-liquid phase separation in order for the two different biological processes to occur. But they need more evidence that matters for the cell function. There has also been indication that with these liquid condensates that it should condense to more of a solid state may be a factor in disease such as Parkinson, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180412141037.htm

http://www.parallelstate.com/news/how-molecules-in-cells-find-one-another-and-organize-into-structures/656302                               

The Amazing Drosophila melanogaster

The model organism Drosophila melanogaster also known as the common fruit fly is very useful in the field of genetic research due to certain characteristics such as being cost efficient, having a high yield of offspring in a short time, quick reproduction rate, similar genome to humans, observable phenotypic traits, and minimal ethical issues.

As of recently professor Jason M. Tennessen who teaches at Indiana University has begun research on a molecule that is present at high levels during the larval stages of D. melanogaster that is responsible for their rapid growth. This molecule shares common biochemical similarities with the growth of cancer cells and can also be found in types of cancer that affects the brain and kidneys.

The molecule that was found and is responsible for the rapid growth is known as L-2HG. With the random discovery of this molecule Jason had been originally studying an enzyme known as lactate dehydrogenase which had been discovered to produce the L-2HG molecule.

This is a remarkable discovery and with continuous research and experiments of this molecule on what influences it to cause cancer and what doesn't will eventually lead to another type of method that can cure cancer.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170124140737.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26212717