The Role ALPK1 in Health and Disease
Thursday, 12 May 2022
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
- Published in Emerging Targets, HTS Assays, Innate Immunity
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Resolving the Many Roles of DHX36
Wednesday, 27 April 2022
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
- Published in Emerging Targets, HTS Assays, Innate Immunity
MAPK1, An Elusive Regulator of Innate Immunity
Wednesday, 23 February 2022
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
- Published in HTS Assays, Innate Immunity
The Double-Edged Sword in Cancer Pathogenesis – JNK1
Wednesday, 03 November 2021
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
- Published in Emerging Targets, HTS Assays, Innate Immunity
Webinar: Targeting Kinases Involved in the Innate Immune Response
Wednesday, 13 October 2021
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
- Published in Emerging Targets, HTS Assays, Innate Immunity
B4GalT1 – A Druggable Target for the Treatment of Glioblastoma
Tuesday, 21 September 2021
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
- Published in Emerging Targets, HTS Assays
Exploring the Use of NUDT5 Inhibitors to Treat Breast Cancer
Monday, 23 August 2021
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
- Published in Emerging Targets, HTS Assays, Products
The Role of CD38 Activity in the Impaired Immune Response
Tuesday, 10 August 2021
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
- Published in Emerging Targets, HTS Assays, Innate Immunity
NSP13 Inhibitors for the Potential Treatment of COVID-19
Monday, 14 June 2021
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
- Published in Emerging Targets, HTS Assays, Innate Immunity
Using a PKR Inhibitor Assay in the Fight Against Viruses
Tuesday, 01 June 2021
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
- Published in Emerging Targets, HTS Assays, Innate Immunity