Not all diseases are actually caused by pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. There are degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, which result from incorrectly formed proteins. In order to understand their nature, scientists normally need to study a significant amount of proteins to see how the group responds to certain treatments. Analyzing a single protein was deemed impossible in the past because it can damage its structure. For the very first time, scientists were able to isolate single proteins and distinguish one from the other. A new technology using nanoparticles enabled real-time monitoring of the structural dynamics of a single protein.
Breakthrough in Monitoring Single Proteins
A group of researchers from Nottingham Trent University conducted a study about a single protein known as ferritin, which is also present in the blood for storage and release of iron. This research, which was published in the journal Nano Letters, involved the use of light with very high concentration and is transmitted through nanoparticles. As the beam of light generates enough force, the scientists were able to isolate and study the single protein from its natural liquid environment without the risk of damaging it.
The outcome of the study allowed the researchers to identify ferritin with iron and without, as well as the point at which iron is captured and stored. Understanding the mechanism of ferritin proteins to absorb iron sheds light on the development of treatments for iron-related diseases.
"Lots of proteins are linked to disease. If we can see the root problem then we can potentially treat them better and earlier," said lead researcher Dr. Cuifeng Ying.
This research serves as the first experimental evidence of the significant difference between individual ferritins. The use of a high-precision optical nanoparticle system did not only help in protein differentiation but also contributed to the monitoring of real-time dynamics of ferritin.
Through this research, scientists can finally understand the way proteins behave in relation to the emergence and progression of diseases. Instead of studying a group of proteins, it is now possible to study the response of a single protein to certain therapies. Since protein changes happen before the symptoms of the disease occur, it is now possible to identify and cure illness at an earlier stage.
In the future, scientists are headed toward the development of single-molecule techniques to overcome the limitations of studying proteins. Pioneering technologies like the work of Dr. Ying and her team can extend to the monitoring of proteins with a wide range of sizes.
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The Role of Ferritin in Iron Metabolism
Ferritin is considered a universal intracellular protein with the ability to store and release iron when it is needed by the body. Aside from being an iron-storage protein, ferritin also contributes to metal detoxification in living organisms. According to a study published in Science Direct, ferritin serves as an important indicator of the progression of illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, anemia, and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Before this research was conducted, only limited information was known about the structural changes of ferritin. Although the technique used by the team is invasive in nature, it actually provided significant data about the structure of this protein.
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