Following this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry for breakthroughs in protein structure prediction...
Clovertex’s November Target of the Month is Ninjurin 1 (NINJ1), selected in light of a recent cryo-EM study from Genentech published in Nature. NINJ1 plays a pivotal role in plasma membrane rupture (PMR), a key event in lytic cell death that contributes to inflammation and immune responses. The study reveals NINJ1’s autoinhibition mechanism, showing how the protein adopts an inactive dimeric structure to prevent unregulated PMR under normal conditions. This discovery offers critical insights into how NINJ1 maintains the delicate balance between cell survival and inflammatory signaling.
The identification of NINJ1’s structural and functional dynamics opens exciting therapeutic possibilities for addressing inflammation-driven diseases. Stabilizing its inactive dimer could provide an innovative approach to suppress inflammatory cell death in autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases, offering relief from chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Conversely, controlled activation of NINJ1 could enhance immune responses as an approach for boosting anti-tumor immunity or combating infections.
The Protein Imager rendering displays the cryo-EM structure of NINJ1 K45Q bound to Nb538 (PDB entry 9BIA).
About Clovertex
Clovertex is an industry leader specializing in meeting the scientific IT needs of pharmaceutical companies, with a robust focus on cloud-based or on-premises cryo-EM processing. As an Advanced Tier Services Partner with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Clovertex leverages its comprehensive expertise to architect, build, automate, and manage software applications designed to meet specific research needs. Our all-encompassing solutions are meticulously tailored to streamline the complex processes associated with pharmaceutical research, underscoring our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. By integrating state-of-the-art technology with deep scientific understanding, Clovertex paves the way in optimizing the intersection of information technology and pharmaceutical development.
Useful links
1. Autoinhibition of dimeric NINJ1 prevents plasma membrane rupture
2. Clovertex website
