Navigation Links
Computational biochemist uncovers a molecular clue to evolution
Date:9/10/2008

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A Florida State University researcher who uses high-powered computers to map the workings of proteins has uncovered a mechanism that gives scientists a better understanding of how evolution occurs at the molecular level.

Such an understanding eventually could lead to the development of new and more effective antiparasitic drugs.

Wei Yang is an assistant professor in FSU's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and a faculty member in the university's Institute of molecular biophysics. Working with colleagues from FSU, Duke University and Brandeis University, he recently produced remarkable computer models of an enzyme that carries the unwieldy name of inosine monophosphate dehrydrogenase, or IMPDH for short. IMPDH is responsible for initiating certain metabolic processes in DNA and RNA, enabling the biological system to reproduce quickly.

"In creating these simulations of IMPDH, we observed something that hadn't been seen before," Yang said. "Previously, enzymes were believed to have a single 'pathway' through which they deliver catalytic agents to biological cells in order to bring about metabolic changes. But with IMPDH, we determined that there was a second pathway that also was used to cause these chemical transformations. The second pathway didn't operate as efficiently as the first one, but it was active nevertheless."

Why would an enzyme have two pathways dedicated to the same task? Yang and his colleagues believe that the slower pathway is an evolutionary vestige left over from an ancient enzyme that evolved over eons into modern-day IMPDH.

The finding is significant for several reasons, Yang said.

"First of all, this offers a rare glimpse of evolutionary processes at work on the molecular level," Yang said. "Typically when we talk about evolution, we're referring to a process of adaptation that occurs in a population of organisms over an extended period of time. Our re
'/>"/>

Contact: Wei Yang
yang@sb.fsu.edu
850-645-6884
Florida State University
Source:Eurekalert  

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Computational actinide chemistry: Are we there yet?
2. Computational mathematical sciences receives NSF grant for undergraduate research
3. Penn biochemist receives NIH New Innovators Award
4. Biochemists reveal details of mysterious bacterial microcompartments
5. Biochemists manipulate fruit flavor enzymes
6. St. Jude influenza survey uncovers key differences between bird flu and human flu
7. 454 Sequencing uncovers a genetic basis for different social behaviors in wasp
8. Massive microRNA scan uncovers leads to treating muscle degeneration
9. New study uncovers secrets behind butterfly wing patterns
10. UVa Health System team uncovers genes role in type 1 diabetes
11. Study uncovers clues to cystic fibrosis gene dysfunction and gastrointestinal disease

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Computational biochemist uncovers a molecular clue to evolution
Computational biochemist uncovers a molecular clue to evolution
(Date:12/2/2009)...it have a higher IQ and are more likely to go on t...t at the Sahlgrenska Academy and Sahlgrenska Unive...ay in the prestigious Proceedings of the National... 1.2 million Swedish men doing military service wh...oup analysed the results of both physical and IQ t...
(Date:12/2/2009)...etes Foundation is pleased to announce the 2009 wi..., MD, A. N. Pritzker Distinguished Service Profess...try and Molecular Biology, The University of Chica... commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Manpei Su...enlightened researchers in the field of diabetes a...
(Date:12/2/2009)...ting the first identification of substances involv...ges harmless marine bacteria into killers that cau... Environmental Science & Technology , a semi-month...at bleaching already has destroyed up to 30 percen...earching for ways to slow or stop the damage. One ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Young adults who exercise get higher IQ 2Weight Lifting Can Ease Arm Swelling in Breast Cancer Survivors 54373 1Weight Lifting Can Ease Arm Swelling in Breast Cancer Survivors 54373 2Weight Lifting Can Ease Arm Swelling in Breast Cancer Survivors 54373 3Transgenomic Inc Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results 13536 1Transgenomic Inc Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results 13536 2Transgenomic Inc Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results 13536 3Transgenomic Inc Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results 13536 4Transgenomic Inc Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results 13536 5Transgenomic Inc Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results 13536 6Transgenomic Inc Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results 13536 7Transgenomic Inc Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results 13536 8St Anthonys Hospital Offers First Ambient MRI In Florida 4849 1St Anthonys Hospital Offers First Ambient MRI In Florida 4849 2St Anthonys Hospital Offers First Ambient MRI In Florida 4849 3
...s demonstrate enhanced cell killing compared to co...igen Therapeutics today announced the first publis...equence monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) produced in c...he chicken oviduct and deposited into egg white in...r, antibodies produced in this manner demonstrated...
...e if the outside world suddenly went dark every fe...s, even though they cause a similar reduction in t... not aware of the frequent mini-blackouts caused b...at visual sensitivity begins decreasing immediatel...ing this process have until now remained unclear. ...
...tch the tracking ability of dogs, we apparently ha...rding to a new study by scientists from the Univer... presented with odors to one nostril or the other ...rom, and functional magnetic resonance images of t... attention to the difference between what the left...
Other Biology News:First production of human monoclonal antibodies in chicken eggs published in Nature Biotechnology 2First production of human monoclonal antibodies in chicken eggs published in Nature Biotechnology 3Blink, and the brain misses it 2Study shows humans have ability to track odors, much like bloodhounds 2Study shows humans have ability to track odors, much like bloodhounds 3Study shows humans have ability to track odors, much like bloodhounds 4
(Date:12/2/2009)...ec. 2 The world,s first concept de...gy, a breakthrough alternative to replace a petroc...f synthetic rubber with renewable biomass, made th...ire will be on display at a lounge in the common d...ort throughout December 21, while the other tire w...
(Date:12/2/2009)... The Netherlands, December 2 Pepsc... company focusing on protein mimicking,technology ...nounced that it,has appointed Wim E.M. Mol, Ph.D. ... will be responsible for all of Pepscans corporate...c direction of the company. He brings to,Pepscan m...
(Date:12/2/2009)... Va., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Emeral...OTC Bulletin Board: EMDY), a leading,producer and ... powder and,soybean products in China, today annou...ng issue of US Food & Drink Executive, a quart...ecutives in the food and beverage industry. ,...
(Date:12/2/2009)...The Scientist, a leading scientific magazine cover...Evolve “Intelligent” EMCCD camera four...ovations of 2009. , (PRWE...amera from Photometrics ®, a designer and ma...as for the life sciences, was ranked fourth among ...
Breaking Biology Technology:The World's First Goodyear Concept Tires Made with BioIsoprene(TM) Technology Arrive in Copenhagen in time for United Nations Climate Change Conference 2The World's First Goodyear Concept Tires Made with BioIsoprene(TM) Technology Arrive in Copenhagen in time for United Nations Climate Change Conference 3Dutch Biotech Company Pepscan Appoints New CEO 2Emerald Dairy To Be Featured in Spring Issue of US Food and Drink Executive 2The Scientist Names Photometrics' Evolve EMCCD Camera One of the “Top 10 Innovations” of 2009 2The Scientist Names Photometrics' Evolve EMCCD Camera One of the “Top 10 Innovations” of 2009 3
...OST CONFERENCE CALL AT 10:00AM EDT, EDMONTON, BEL... -,Biomira Inc. (Nasdaq: BIOM ) (TSX: BRA) (the "... of Directors has approved a proposal to change it...urisdiction of Canada to,the State of Delaware in ...angement. Under the plan of arrangement, which is ...
...m Facilitates Minimally Invasive and Robotic-Assis... Surgery, REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Sept. 12 Cardica...s received European CE Mark,(Conformite Europeenne...stem. The C-Port Flex A system is a variation of C...oduct line and further facilitates the,automated a...
...Partners, Highland Capital Partners and Versant Ve...inical Microbiology, MADISON, Wis., Sept. 12 OpG...sed $23.6 million in equity financing. The round,w...artners and Versant,Ventures, with previous invest... CHL,s Ron Lennox will become chairman of the Boar...
Other Biology Technology:Biomira Announces Plan to Reincorporate in the United States 2Biomira Announces Plan to Reincorporate in the United States 3Biomira Announces Plan to Reincorporate in the United States 4Biomira Announces Plan to Reincorporate in the United States 5Biomira Announces Plan to Reincorporate in the United States 6Cardica Receives European CE Mark for C-Port Flex A System for Use in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery 2Cardica Receives European CE Mark for C-Port Flex A System for Use in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery 3OpGen Announces $23.6 Million Series A Financing 2OpGen Announces $23.6 Million Series A Financing 3
Anti-G Protein Gi-alpha-1 Monoclonal Antibody, Unconjugated, Clone R4 from CHEMICON
Goat Anti-KOR-1 Polyclonal Antibody, Unconjugated from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.
Mouse Oligodendrocyte Differentiation Kit from R&D Systems
Rabbit Anti-Human Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor Edg-1 Polyclonal Antibody, Unconjugated from GenWay Biotech, Inc.
Biology Products: