Proteins are made up of chains of linked amino acids and the average human protein contains around 300 amino acids. Meanwhile, microproteins have fewer than 100 amino acids. One such microprotein is the 54-amino acid microprotein called PIGBOS, which Salk scientists recently showed contributes to mitigating cell stress. Only now do we really have the sophisticated tools to probe interactions between proteins and see how they work and how they are regulated.
1. micro proteins
Researchers have discovered that a microprotein called PIGBOS found in the powerhouse of the cells 'mitochondria' contributes to mitigating stress happening within the cells – an advance that may lead to better understanding of disease conditions like cancer. The researchers, including those from the Salk Institute in the U.S., said that while an average protein molecule present in the human body has around 300 chemical units called amino acids, the microproteins had fewer than 100 of the building blocks.
2. what is G.F.P?
Green fluorescent protein helps scientists visualize the journey of proteins they want to study in living cells.
This essential research tool originated from studies on the humble jellyfish Aequorea victoria. GFP was first commercialized by Clontech Laboratories, and has shed light - literally - on many critical questions in biology research.
3. the art of science
" Science & art are about seeing something for the first time ! "