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

Breaking Barriers: Transitioning from X-ray Crystallography to Cryo-EM for Structural Studies

This paper details a laboratory's successful transition from X-ray crystallography to cryo-electron microscopy for studying the ATAD2B protein, outlining practical strategies to overcome biochemical and technical challenges while providing a comprehensive workflow guide for structural biologists adopting this transformative technology.

Zafar, H., Malone, K. L., Singh, A. K., Cianfrocco, M. A., Glass, K. C.2026-02-25
⚗️ biochemistry

Distinct mechanisms of inhibition of Kv2 potassium channels by tetraethylammonium and RY785

This study uses all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to reveal that while tetraethylammonium blocks Kv2.1 channels by binding on-axis near the selectivity filter, the specific inhibitor RY785 binds off-axis to the channel walls, stabilizing a semi-open gate state that occludes ion flow and influences distant voltage sensors.

Zhang, S., Stix, R., Orabi, E. A., Bernhardt, N., Faraldo-Gomez, J. D.2026-02-24
⚗️ biochemistry

Structural insight into sodium-dependent bile acid transport by members of the SLC10 family

This study resolves crystal structures of an ASBT homologue and a humanized version to reveal that, unlike NTCP, these SLC10 family transporters lack a transmembrane pore due to a flexible TM6 helix, and molecular dynamics simulations further demonstrate how membrane lipids facilitate the transport of bile acids with large hydrophobic groups.

Li, C. Y., Grob, A., Repa, L., Huxley, O., Brotherton, D. H., Becker, P., Dadzie, R., Beckstein, O., Cameron, A. D.2026-02-23
⚗️ biochemistry

Rapid Histone Post-Translational Modification Analysis Using Alternative Proteases and Tandem Mass Tags

The paper introduces RIPUP, a rapid multi-protease workflow combining Arg-C Ultra and r-Chymotrypsin digestion with TMT labeling and HiP-Frag analysis to reduce histone PTM sample preparation from days to hours while significantly expanding coverage to detect previously elusive acylations and variant-specific modifications.

Turner, N. P., Baboo, S., Garrett, P., Diedrich, J. K., Bajo, M., Roberto, M., Yates, J. R.2026-02-22
⚗️ biochemistry

Linking biochemical and cellular efficacy of MERS coronavirus main protease inhibitors

This study demonstrates that while multiple data analysis methods can correlate biochemical inhibition with antiviral activity for MERS-CoV main protease inhibitors, an enzyme kinetics model accounting for dimerization and biphasic concentration-response curves provides the most accurate prediction of cellular efficacy.

La, V. N. T., Lahav, N., Rodriguez, M., Diaz-Tapia, R., McGovern, B., Benjamin, J., Barr, H., Kang, L., Chodera, J. D. (…)2026-02-21
⚗️ biochemistry

The promoter-poised Rpd3 HDAC complex orchestrates global chromatin reprogramming upon nutrient transition

This study reveals that the Rpd3L histone deacetylase complex acts as a metabolic gatekeeper in *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* by dynamically removing H3K9 acetylation from active promoters upon nutrient shifts, thereby coordinating the shutdown of growth programs and ensuring transcriptional fidelity during metabolic transitions.

Bhattacharya, S., Sutter, B. M., Tu, B.2026-02-20