The Role ALPK1 in Health and Disease

Scientist Studying ALKPK1
ALPK1 (Alpha Kinase 1) is an atypical serine/threonine-protein kinase that specifically detects and binds the pathogen-associated pattern metabolites (PAMPs), ADP-beta-D-manno-heptose (Beta-ADP-Heptose) or D-glycero-beta-D-manno-heptose 1,7-bisphosphate (HBP). These metabolic precursors of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis are present in all Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria.  This interaction stimulates ALPK1 to phosphorylate and activate TIFA, initiating an innate immune response
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Resolving the Many Roles of DHX36

DHX36 RNA Helicase Unwinds G4 RNA Structures
While most researchers are familiar with canonical DNA structures, primarily B (but also even A or Z) DNA, an even more exotic form exerts a vast influence over nearly every aspect of nucleic acid function. In both DNA and RNA, tracts of guanine with at least four consecutive members can self-associate via Hoogsten base pairing
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MAPK1, An Elusive Regulator of Innate Immunity

Researcher working on MAPK1 pathway
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) and MAPK Signaling Cascade Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are Ser/Thr kinases involved in converting extracellular signals to a large spectrum of fundamental cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell division, metabolism survival, etc. This signaling cascade is known as the MAPK pathway. MAPKs are highly conserved among eukaryotes, which mirrors its indispensable
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The Double-Edged Sword in Cancer Pathogenesis – JNK1

JNK1 And Cancer Pathogenesis
Properties and Function of JNK1 c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), also commonly known as Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 (MAPK8), is a member of the JNK subgroup of MAP kinases. JNK1 is encoded by the MAPK8 gene. MAP kinases form a superfamily of protein kinases that function by phosphorylating various protein substrates, including transcription factors, which
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Webinar: Targeting Kinases Involved in the Innate Immune Response

Abstract: Clinical trials continue to determine whether therapeutic modulation of kinases can be used to suppress the immune system in autoimmune diseases or stimulate for antiviral and cancer immunotherapy. The discovery and characterization of small molecule modulators have aided these efforts. The Transcreener ADP² Kinase Assay meets this need as it relies on direct ADP
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B4GalT1 – A Druggable Target for the Treatment of Glioblastoma

B4GalT1 A Target to Stop Glioblastoma
Multi-faceted Properties of B4GalT1 Beta-1,4-Galactosyltransferase 1 (B4GalT1) belongs to the galactosyltransferase (GalT) family of enzymes that transfer galactose from uridine-diphosphate-α-D-galactose (UDP-Gal) to an acceptor sugar molecule. B4GalT1 is a critical enzyme in galactose metabolism. One of the first GalT to be characterized biochemically, B4GalT1, was also involved in lactose production by interacting with α-lactalbumin during
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Exploring the Use of NUDT5 Inhibitors to Treat Breast Cancer

malignant adenocarcinoma could be treated by NUDT5 Inhibitors
NUDT5 is found to be overexpressed in certain cancers in humans Could NUDT5 inhibitors lead to new cancer treatments? NUDIX hydrolases are a superfamily of enzymes are found in all classes of organisms and are responsible for hydrolyzing modified nucleoside diphosphates. One of the most well-studied NUDIX hydrolases is NUDT1 (also known as MTH1); it
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The Role of CD38 Activity in the Impaired Immune Response

Scientist Working on CD38 Discovery
Cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38) is a multifaceted protein contributing to immune response, cell adhesion, and signal transduction. Furthermore, it plays a vital role in calcium signaling, which is necessary for further cell signaling. Calcium acts as a second messenger regulating muscle contraction, cell growth, fertilization, and cellular motility, to name a few areas of
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NSP13 Inhibitors for the Potential Treatment of COVID-19

NSP13 Inhibitors as COVID-19 Treatments
Could NSP13 be the target to help treat some respiratory infections such as SARS-CoV-2? Respiratory diseases caused by coronaviruses (CoVs) vary in symptoms, severity, and risk. Typically, symptoms are mild and known as the common cold, while others are more severe and lead to pneumonia or bronchitis, chest pains, and possibly death. SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV
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Using a PKR Inhibitor Assay in the Fight Against Viruses

PKR Inhibitor Blog
Can a novel PKR inhibitor help lead to new treatments for viral infections? –  While the human immune response is astounding and works hard to keep us alive in the face of the many germs we encounter daily, it is exceedingly complex. Unlike the adaptive immune response, the innate response acts quickly. It is considered
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