Standardization of lipid sample preparation for monitoring phospholipase activity.

Phospholipase enzymes, such as A1, A2, B, and D, are found in the venom of venomous animals, including brown spiders. Phospholipase D (PLD) isoforms from brown spider venom can cause dermonecrosis, hemolysis, and nephrotoxicity. New methods to monitor PLD activity are essential for understanding its mechanisms and molecular characteristics.

Molecular insights on ABL kinase activation using tree-based machine learning models and molecular docking.

Abelson kinase (c-Abl) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase involved in several biological processes essential for cell differentiation, migration, proliferation, and survival. This enzyme's activation might be an alternative strategy for treating diseases such as neutropenia induced by chemotherapy, prostate, and breast cancer. Recently, a series of compounds that promote the activation of c-Abl has been identified, opening a promising ground for c-Abl drug development.

Zika virus proteins at an atomic scale: how does structural biology help us to understand and develop vaccines and drugs against Zika virus infection?

In Brazil and in other tropical areas Zika virus infection was directly associated with clinical complications as microcephaly in newborn children whose mothers were infected during pregnancy and the Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Recently, research has been focused on developing new vaccines and drug candidates against Zika virus infection since none of those are available. In order to contribute to vaccine and drug development efforts, it becomes important the understanding of the molecular basis of the Zika virus recognition, infection and blockade.