⚗️ 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

FIKK1, a member of the FIKK kinase family, phosphorylates VAR2CSA and regulates adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to the placental receptor CSA

This study identifies FIKK1 as a critical kinase that phosphorylates the placental malaria adhesin VAR2CSA, thereby enhancing its binding to chondroitin sulfate A and facilitating the sequestration of *Plasmodium falciparum*-infected erythrocytes in the placenta, which highlights FIKK1 as a promising drug target for placental malaria.

Dorin-Semblat, D., Semblat, J.-P., Eavis, H., Belda, H., Hamelin, R., Paquereau, C.-E., Doerig, C., Treeck, M., Gamain (…)2026-03-23
⚗️ biochemistry

Affinity purification contaminants identified by cryo-EM and mass spectrometry

This study identifies human propionyl-coenzyme A carboxylase and the PRMT5:MEP50 complex as unexpected contaminants in affinity-purified proteins from HEK293 cells, demonstrating how cryo-EM and mass spectrometry can reveal these impurities and underscoring the critical need for high resin specificity in structural biology workflows.

Belcher, E. R., Hardwick, S. W., Maia de Oliveira, T., Hyvonen, M.2026-03-21
⚗️ biochemistry

Library docking for Cannabinoid-2 Receptor ligands

This study demonstrates that structure-based docking of a 2.6 billion molecule library against the Cannabinoid-2 receptor successfully identified eight diverse, potent, and subtype-selective ligand families by targeting polar orthosteric residues, with experimental validation confirming the accuracy of the docking predictions and the efficacy of subsequent structure-based optimization.

Rachman, M. M., Iliopoulos-Tsoutsouvas, C., Dominic Sacco, M., Xu, X., Wu, C.-G., Santos, E., Glenn, I. S., Paris, L., C (…)2026-03-21
⚗️ biochemistry

Fluorometric DNA Polymerase Activity Assay for Resource-Limited Enzyme Manufacturing

This paper presents a cost-effective, accessible fluorometric DNA polymerase activity assay optimized for resource-limited settings through isothermal operation, in-house reagent synthesis, and stakeholder-informed design to enable local enzyme quality control and reduce dependence on imported tools.

Venkatramani, A., Ahmed, I., Vora, S., Wojtania, N., Cameron-Hamilton, C., Cheong, K. Y., Fruk, L., Molloy, J. C.2026-03-20
⚗️ biochemistry

A DltE-DltD-DltX interaction network regulates lipoteichoic acid D-alanylation in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and symbiotic drosophila growth promotion

This study elucidates a DltE-DltD-DltX interaction network in *Lactiplantibacillus plantarum* that coordinates the extracellular D-alanylation of lipoteichoic acids, a process essential for the bacterium's ability to promote *Drosophila* growth.

Matos, R. C., Nikolopoulos, N., Perrier, Q., Robert, X., Gueguen-Chaignon, V., Hirayama, H., Leulier, F., Grangeasse, C. (…)2026-03-20
⚗️ biochemistry

Intermolecular β-sheet formation guides the interaction between ubiquitin-like modifier FAT10 and adapter protein NUB1L

Using magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, this study reveals that the adapter protein NUB1L binds to the N-domain of the ubiquitin-like modifier FAT10 to induce intermolecular β-sheet formation and stabilize an unfolded state, thereby acting as a holdase to facilitate FAT10-mediated proteasomal degradation during inflammation.

Weiss, C., Overall, S., Catone, N., Barnes, A. B., Aichem, A., Mathies, G.2026-03-19
⚗️ biochemistry

Rapid aging and disassembly of actin filaments from two evolutionary distant yeasts

This study reveals that actin filaments from two evolutionarily distant yeast species exhibit significantly faster disassembly and inorganic phosphate release compared to mammalian actin due to the absence of histidine 73 methylation, while also displaying distinct biochemical and mechanical differences between the yeast species themselves.

Billault-Chaumartin, I., Wioland, H., Guillotin, A., Michelot, A., JEGOU, A., Romet-Lemonne, G.2026-03-19