⚗️ Category

biochemistry

360 papers

Biochemistry explores the intricate chemical processes that power life, bridging the gap between biology and chemistry to explain how molecules like proteins and DNA function within living cells. This field reveals the molecular machinery behind everything from metabolism to genetic inheritance, turning complex biological mysteries into understandable chemical interactions.

On Gist.Science, we bring you the freshest discoveries in this dynamic area directly from bioRxiv. Our team processes every new preprint uploaded to the server, transforming dense academic findings into both clear, plain-language overviews and detailed technical summaries. This dual approach ensures that whether you are a curious beginner or a seasoned researcher, you can grasp the significance of these breakthroughs immediately.

Below are the latest papers in biochemistry, complete with our curated summaries to help you navigate the cutting edge of molecular science.

⚗️ biochemistry

Mapping Evidence Gap Between NMN and NR for Metabolic Outcomes: A Systematic Review, Transitivity Assessment, and Indirect Comparison Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and indirect comparison meta-analysis concludes that current evidence is structurally insufficient to reliably compare the metabolic effects of NMN and NR due to systematic asymmetries in dosing, population demographics, and assay methods, necessitating future head-to-head trials with harmonized protocols to generate interpretable comparative data.

Nguyen, A. T., Nguyen, B.2026-04-09
⚗️ biochemistry

Time-resolved cryo-EM reveals conformational trajectory of allosteric activation in isocitrate lyase

Time-resolved cryo-EM studies of *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* isocitrate lyase 2 reveal that acetyl-CoA binding drives asymmetric, half-of-site activation through a conformational selection mechanism that shifts the enzyme's pre-existing equilibrium toward an active state.

Taka, J., Jung, J., Guo, S., Jiao, W., Kwai, B. X., de Carvalho, L., McNeil, M., Huang, E. Y., Yu, Z., Leung, I. K. H. (…)2026-04-09
⚗️ biochemistry

Small-molecule activators of the Staphylococcus aureus ClpC/ClpP AAA+ protease

This study identifies eight small molecules that robustly activate the *Staphylococcus aureus* ClpC/ClpP protease by targeting two specific regulatory sites in its N-terminal domain, thereby establishing the enzyme as a chemically targetable drug candidate for combating bacterial virulence and stress resistance.

Jenne, T., Viliuga, V., Uhrig, U., Jehle, B., Schwan, M., Kopp, J., Flemming, D., Seebach, E., Sinning, I. M., Bukau, B. (…)2026-04-09
⚗️ biochemistry

Hierarchical decoding of targeting tripeptide motif by the cytosolic iron-sulfur cluster assembly targeting complex

This study elucidates the hierarchical physicochemical mechanism by which the cytosolic iron-sulfur cluster assembly targeting complex (CTC) recognizes diverse C-terminal tripeptide motifs through a specific aromatic pocket and hydrophobic groove at the Cia1-Cia2 interface, thereby defining the molecular grammar for selective Fe-S protein maturation.

Buzuk, A., Khan, O., Kang, S., Yim, L., Vajda, S., Perlstein, D.2026-04-08
⚗️ biochemistry

Cardiac Calsequestrin is a Physiological Dimer that Polymerizes through a Ca2+-Triggered Cooperative Switch

This study reveals that cardiac calsequestrin (CASQ2) is an intrinsic dimer that undergoes a highly cooperative, Ca2+-triggered polymerization switch modulated by K+ ions, providing a mechanistic framework for understanding how its mutations cause catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia type 2 through distinct pathological trajectories.

Marabelli, C., Santiago, D. J., Pirana, E., Di Antonio, C., Canciani, A., Bolognesi, M., Forneris, F., Priori, S. G.2026-04-07
⚗️ biochemistry

Sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase drives mitochondrial supersulfide metabolism to regulate bioenergetics and longevity in eukaryotes

This study demonstrates that the mitochondrial enzyme sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) is essential for maintaining sulfur respiration, bioenergetics, and longevity across eukaryotes by oxidizing sulfide into supersulfides, as evidenced by impaired mitochondrial function and reduced lifespan in SQR-deficient yeast and mice models that could not be rescued by supersulfide supplementation.

Yao, J., Matsunaga, T., Nishimura, A., Shieh, M., Ida, T., Jung, M., Ogata, S., Takata, T., Barayeu, U., Motohashi, H. (…)2026-04-07