Heating proteins to body temperature reveals new drug targets

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Human Biology News

Obesity,Pharmacology,Cystic Fibrosis

Some proteins shift their shape when exposed to different temperatures, revealing previously unknown binding sites for medications. The findings could revolutionize wide swathes of biology by fundamentally changing how protein structure is studied and leveraged for drug design.

, could revolutionize wide swathes of biology by fundamentally changing how protein structure is studied and leveraged for drug design. The study was led by Van Andel Institute's Juan Du, Ph.D., and Wei Lü, Ph.D.

Proteins are the molecular workhorses of the body. Their shape governs how they interact with other molecules to do their jobs. By determining protein structure, scientists can create blueprints that guide development of more effective medications, much like locksmiths designing keys to fit into specific locks.

To visualize TRPM4 at body temperature, the team leveraged VAI's powerful suite of cryo-electron microscopes , which allow scientists to flash freeze proteins and assemble detailed images of their structures. Rather than using a low-temperature sample, Postdoctoral Fellow Jinhong Hu, Ph.D., and colleagues in the Du and Lü laboratories heated the sample to body temperature before flash freezing it.

Obesity Pharmacology Cystic Fibrosis Molecular Biology Cell Biology Biotechnology Nature

 

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