⚗️ Category

biochemistry

316 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

Reconciling Cooperativity Definition in PROTACs and Molecular Glues: Thermodynamic Dissection into PPI and Ligand Entropic Contributions

This paper resolves the controversy surrounding Cooperativity definitions in PROTACs and molecular glues by demonstrating that the apparent negative Cooperativity observed in "partial-embedded" models is actually an entropic penalty from restricting the exposed mass of large ligands, thereby revealing that true positive Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) Cooperativity exists once this ligand entropy cost is subtracted.

Cao, X., Li, Y., Qu, Z., Jiang, L., Tang, L., Chen, H.2026-02-09
⚗️ biochemistry

Influenza A virus infection perturbs host cell glycosylation

This study utilizes comprehensive proteomic and glycomic analyses to reveal that Influenza A virus infection significantly remodels the host glycoproteome by inducing widespread desialylation via viral neuraminidase and disrupting Golgi glycoprotein flux, while simultaneously triggering a prolonged unfolded protein response that increases oligomannose glycosylation.

Macauslane, K. L., Pegg, C. L., Seitanidou, J., McCallum, G., Steele, L. E., Wu, M., Sng, J. D., Noye, E. C., Anugraham (…)2026-02-03
⚗️ biochemistry

The glycan shield of alphaherpesvirus glycoprotein B modulates host co-receptor binding

This study utilizes glycoproteomics, cryo-EM, and surface plasmon resonance to demonstrate that the N- and O-linked glycan shields of alphaherpesvirus gB proteins, particularly their sialic acid content, differentially modulate binding to host co-receptors MAG, PILR, and NMHC-IIA, thereby explaining the distinct tropism and infectivity patterns among HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV.

Krepel, S. T., Rodrigues Ianiski, F., Janssen, B. J. C., Snijder, J.2026-02-03
⚗️ biochemistry

Dietary cholesterol reduces blood pressure and alters lipid profiles in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study demonstrates that dietary cholesterol reduces systolic blood pressure and attenuates renal inflammation in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats by altering lipid profiles and suppressing the arachidonic acid-prostaglandin E2 axis, thereby providing a potential mechanistic explanation for its previously observed lifespan-extending effects in this model.

Tatematsu, K., Nishikata, Y., Saito, Y., Matsunaga, T., Ohara, N.2026-01-30
⚗️ biochemistry

TipA, a Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus BPI-like double-TULIP is opened by its adapter protein, TipB

This study reveals that the predatory bacterium *Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus* utilizes a unique double-TULIP protein, TipA, which forms a lipid-sequestering homodimer that is structurally opened by its adapter protein TipB, representing the first example of an adaptor-mediated conformational change in TULIPs.

Caulton, S. G., Cadby, I. T., Hughes, G. G., Johnson, H. L., Knowles, T. J., Lovering, A. L.2026-01-29
⚗️ biochemistry

Ulacamten: A Novel, RLC-Targeting Cardiac Myosin Inhibitor for Potential Treatment of Cardiac Hypercontractility, Including HFpEF

This study characterizes ulacamten as a novel cardiac myosin inhibitor with a distinct regulatory light chain-dependent mechanism that effectively improves diastolic function and reduces cardiac hypertrophy in preclinical models of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Sarkar, S. S., Redd, M. A., Hartman, J. J., Hwee, D. T., Bat-Erdene, A., Kim, L., Chuang, C., Rupert, C., Abi-Gerges, N. (…)2026-01-26
⚗️ biochemistry

Multifaceted Functional Complexity of SARS-CoV-2 Helicase Nsp13 Underlies Its Integrated Motor and Remodeling Activities

This study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 helicase Nsp13 functions as a multifaceted, tunable nucleic acid remodeler that integrates ATP-dependent motor activity with Mg²⁺-primed, ATP-independent remodeling, strand annealing, and chaperone functions to dynamically adapt to diverse structural demands during viral replication.

Li, H., Hou, J., Yu, X., Jin, J., Hou, X.-M.2026-01-26