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Top 7 in biochemistry

A snapshot of the most highly ranked articles in biochemistry and related areas, from Faculty of 1000

Written byJef Akst
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linkurl:1. Eukaryotic ribosome unveiled;http://f1000.com/6750956?key=7x8qmggqblmdt5j
Atomic structure of the 50S large subunit of the ribosome
Image: Wikimedia commons, Vossman
The long-sought crystal structure of the translational machinery in yeast reveals unique interactions within and between the ribosome's two subunits and promises to lead to a better understanding of protein synthesis in eukaryotes. A. Ben-Shem et al., "Crystal structure of the eukaryotic ribosome,"linkurl: Science,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21109664?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 330:1203-09, 2010. Evaluated by Daniel Gallie, UC Riverside; Margaret Elvekrog, Daniel MacDougall and Ruben Gonzalez, Columbia Univ; Robert Batey, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder; Dmitri Ermolenko and George Makhatadze, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/6750956?key=7x8qmggqblmdt5j linkurl:2. Detailing protein dynamics;http://f1000.com/1309961?key=2q37ty2b38b5r8vCombining the classic approaches of ambient temperature X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, researchers detail the conversion between different states of an enzyme, and how those dynamics affect catalytic activity. J.S. Fraser, et al., "Hidden alternative structures of proline isomerase essential for catalysis," linkurl:Nature,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/19956261?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 462:669-73, 2009. Evaluated by Victoria Ann Higman and Linda Ball, Leibniz-Institut f?r Molekulare Pharmakologie; Andrew Beenken and Moosa Mohammadi, NYU Med Cen; David Cowburn, Coll Medicine Yeshiva Univ; Gira Bhabha and H Jane Dyson, Scripps Res Inst; Fred Dyda, NIH. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/1309961?key=2q37ty2b38b5r8v linkurl:3. The genome shuffle;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57907/ In some cancers, chromosomes are broken apart and stitched back together, resulting in tens to hundreds of spontaneous genomic rearrangements, contravening the model of slowly accumulating point mutations and more subtle chromosome rearrangements. The process, dubbed "chromothripsis," occurs in at least 2-3 percent of all cancers, across many subtypes, and is present in 25 percent of bone cancers. P.J. Stephens, et al., "Massive genomic rearrangement acquired in a single catastrophic event during cancer development," linkurl:Cell,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21215367?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 144:27-40, 2011. Evaluated by Jordi Camps and Thomas Ried, NCI; Yamini Dalal, NCI; Giovanni Neri, Univ Cattolica S Cuore; Robert Booth, Virobay Inc; Yan Xu and Makoto Komiyama, Univ Tokyo. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://www.f1000biology.com/article/g79vstgp2slq12q/id/7848958 linkurl:4. Taming inflammation;http://f1000.com/7111956?key=8mfg87mn6kjbrv5Targeting post-translational regulation of histones, researchers are able to inhibit the expression of certain inflammatory proteins, suggesting a new direction for the development of treatments for inflammatory conditions. E. Nicodeme, et al., "Suppression of inflammation by a synthetic histone mimic," linkurl:Nature,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21068722?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 468:1119-23, 2010. Evaluated by Lionel Ivashkiv, Hosp for Special Surgery; Marc Rothenberg, Cincinnati Children's Hosp Med Cen; Xiaodong Cheng, Emory Univ School of Med. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/7111956?key=8mfg87mn6kjbrv5 linkurl:5. Elusive intermediate #1 captured;http://f1000.com/6366957?key=rljs9ddcbkgbjcxThe existence of the fabled intermediate form of cytochrome P450 -- long suspected of catalyzing the oxidation reactions required for metabolizing the majority of drugs in the liver, among other things -- has finally been confirmed using isolates from a thermophilic bacterium. J. Rittle and M.T. Green, "Cytochrome P450 compound I: capture, characterization, and C-H bond activation kinetics," linkurl:Science,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21071661?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 330:933-37, 2010. Evaluated by Elizabeth Gillam, Univ Queensland; Ivo Feussner, Georg August Univ. G?ttingen, Germany; Russ Hille, UC Riverside; Kap-Sun Yeung and Nicholas Meanwell, Bristol Myers Squibb. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/6366957?key=rljs9ddcbkgbjcx linkurl:6. ATP machine close-up;http://f1000.com/2464957?key=t8hgyx26cwcl0c5Researchers detail the crystal structure of a component of ATP synthase, a ubiquitous molecular machine responsible for synthesizing ATP in the cell. The newly identified structure includes a never-before-seen protein fold, and advances mechanistic understanding of the assembly and function of ATP synthase.L.K. Lee, et al., "The structure of the peripheral stalk of Thermus thermophilus H+-ATPase/synthase," linkurl:Nat Struct Mol Biol,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20173764?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 17:373-78, 2010. Evaluated by Ingo Grotjohann and Petra Fromme, Arizona State University; E Neil G Marsh, University of Michigan; Thomas Meier, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics; Michael Galperin, NIH; Stephan Wilkens, SUNY Upstate Medical University. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/2464957?key=t8hgyx26cwcl0c5 linkurl:7. Identifying the unknown;http://f1000.com/7792962?key=dx0nw38p878tf3lResearchers present a novel method for identifying antibody biomarkers for diseases without known antigens. The technique, which involves searching for antibodies that bind to various synthetic molecules, may prove useful for identifying diagnostic markers in a wide variety of diseases.M.M. Reddy, et al., "Identification of candidate IgG biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease via combinatorial library screening," linkurl:Cell,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/21215375?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 144:132-42, 2011. Evaluated by Soumitra Ghosh and Kavita Shah, Purdue Univ; Ivan Gerling, Univ Tennessee Health Sci Cen; David Holtzman, Wash Univ School of Med. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/7792962?key=dx0nw38p878tf3l The F1000 Top 7 is a snapshot of the highest ranked articles from a 30-day period on Faculty of 1000 Biochemistry, as calculated on February 17, 2011. Faculty Members evaluate and rate the most important papers in their field. To see the latest rankings, search the database, and read daily evaluations, visit linkurl:http://f1000.com.;http://f1000.com
**__Related stories:__***linkurl:Top 7 in cell biology;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57988/
[15th February 2011]*linkurl:Top 7 in immunology;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57977/
[8th February 2011]*linkurl:Top 7 in biochemistry;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57904/
[4th January 2011]
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Meet the Author

  • Jef Akst

    Jef (an unusual nickname for Jennifer) got her master’s degree from Indiana University in April 2009 studying the mating behavior of seahorses. After four years of diving off the Gulf Coast of Tampa and performing behavioral experiments at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, she left research to pursue a career in science writing. As The Scientist's managing editor, Jef edited features and oversaw the production of the TS Digest and quarterly print magazine. In 2022, her feature on uterus transplantation earned first place in the trade category of the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.

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