New Delhi, Aug 13
Researchers from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have uncovered how natural sugar-like molecules in the human body can alter the behaviour of a protein responsible for bone formation and repair.
The findings, published in the journal Biochemistry, can be used for advanced treatments in bone and cartilage regeneration, improved implants, and more effective protein-based medicines.
From building tissues and supporting chemical reactions to acting as signals between cells, proteins carry out various functions in the human body.
However, for the best productivity, they need to be folded or unfolded into precise three-dimensional shapes. Understanding why and how proteins unfold is a major goal in biology, with implications for medicine, biotechnology, and drug delivery.
In this context, Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2) plays a crucial role in forming bones and cartilage, healing injuries, and guiding stem cells to become bone-forming cells, said the team from NIT.