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Synchrotron X-rays uncover hidden protein binding sites, enabling two new functions

Phys · · 835 words · By Carol Tseng
Biotechnology Scientific Innovation Protein Engineering

Researchers from UC San Francisco used synchrotron X-rays and directed evolution to design proteins with targeted functions. The team successfully transformed a single designed protein into two new proteins, including a highly active enzyme and a biosensor.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://phys.org/news/2026-05-synchrotron-rays-uncover-hidden-protein.html

analyticsAnalysis

10%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 95%
Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

psychologyDetected Techniques

warning
Loaded Language 70% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

10 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

info Single Source 8
verified Verified 2
info
“Using bright X-rays from the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), researchers pioneered an innovative approach to designing proteins with targeted functions.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While web search results confirm that SLAC and Berkeley Lab are DOE laboratories that perform X-ray scattering and diffraction for protein research, there is no specific evidence in the provided results confirming this particular 'innovative approach' or the specific partnership for this protein design project.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL, Berkeley Lab) is a federally funded research and development center in the hills of Berkeley, California, and Oakland, California, United States. Establish…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Berkeley_National_Lab…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A particle accelerator is a machine that uses electromagnetic fields to propel ions to very high speeds and energies to contain them in well-defined beams. Small accelerators are used for fundamental …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particle_accelerator
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United States Department of Energy National Laboratories and Technology Centers is a system of laboratories overseen by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) for scientific and technologica…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_En…
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), team for the first time combined X-ray studies of how small molecule fragments bind to designed proteins, known as crystallographic fragment screening, with a method used to design proteins, called directed evolution.”
SINGLE SOURCE
Web search results confirm UCSF's general research capabilities, but no specific evidence was found confirming the first-time combination of crystallographic fragment screening and directed evolution by a UCSF team.
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web search NEUTRAL — UCSF is San Francisco’s second-largest employer, attracting talented faculty and staff who mirror the energy and dynamism of the Bay Area. Drawing from the creative spirit of artists and entrepreneurs…
https://www.ucsf.edu/about
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web search NEUTRAL — At UCSF we are always seeking qualified applicants aiming to make a difference in the world. Pursue a rewarding career at any of our locations, from the university campus to UCSF Health—including Hyde…
https://www.ucsf.edu/about/working-ucsf
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web search NEUTRAL — UC San Francisco is leading revolutions in health – and those revolutions often start in the lab. From basic science to clinical research, we are constantly pushing scientific boundaries and earning w…
https://www.ucsf.edu/research
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“In the study, published in Nature Chemistry”
SINGLE SOURCE
Evidence confirms Nature Chemistry is a valid scientific journal, but there is no specific confirmation in the provided search results that this particular study was published there.
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web search NEUTRAL — Nature Chemistry is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Nature Portfolio. It was established in April 2009. The editor-in-chief is Gavin Armstrong. The journal covers all aspects o…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_Chemistry
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web search NEUTRAL — 2026 overview of the journal Nature Chemistry. Explore impact factor, rankings, scope, publisher details, and key research areas based on Research.com journal data.
https://research.com/journal/nature-chemistry
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web search NEUTRAL — American Chemical Society Publications: Journal of Natural.
https://pubs.acs.org/journal/jnprdf?cookieSet=1
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“we achieved the 10-fold higher enzyme activity with just two rounds of directed evolution.”
SINGLE SOURCE
General evidence about directed evolution exists, but no specific evidence confirms the '10-fold higher enzyme activity with just two rounds' for this specific study.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United States of America is a federal republic consisting of 50 states, a federal district (Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States), five major territories, and minor islands. Bot…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_and_territories…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is the definite article in English. The, or THE, may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_(disambiguation)
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
“The team started with a known specialist protein that binds to the "blood thinning" drug apixaban, called apixaban-binding helical bundle (ABLE).”
VERIFIED
Multiple search results explicitly mention the 'apixaban-binding helical bundle (ABLE)' and its design strategy to bind the drug apixaban.
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web search NEUTRAL — 4.3.4 Apixaban binding to factor Xa. 4.4 Structure-activity-relationship (SAR).The Xa inhibitors all bind in a so-called L-shape fashion within the active site of factor Xa. The key constituents of th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_and_development_of_d…
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web search NEUTRAL — a, Binding pockets in the apixaban-bound ABLE (PDB: 6W70) and the ligand-free forms (PDBs: 6W6X and 6X8N).All but four fragments bound within the apixaban binding site. Thus, by this criterion, ABLE h…
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11838529/
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web search NEUTRAL — 3. Apixaban-binding helical bundle (ABLE) design strategy. (A to F) Steps of the design process. (A) We targeted simultaneous engagement of two carbonyls (C=O) and the carboxamide (CONH2) of apixaban.
https://escholarship.org/content/qt5h76n246/qt5h76n246.pdf?t…
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“a surprising 43 fragments weakly bound to ABLE, with 39 binding in the same site as apixaban”
SINGLE SOURCE
One search result ('Emergence of specific binding...') mentions that 'All but four fragments bound within the apixaban binding site', which aligns with the claim's logic, but the specific number '43 fragments' and '39 binding' is not explicitly detailed in the snippets provided.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Ablation (Latin: ablatio – removal) is the removal or destruction of something from an object by vaporization, chipping, erosive processes, or by other means. Examples of ablation as it is relevant t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ablation
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Able Archer 83 was a military exercise conducted by NATO that took place in November 1983, as part of the annual Able Archer exercise. It simulated a period of heightened nuclear tensions between NATO…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Able_Archer_83
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The StG 44 (abbreviation of Sturmgewehr 44, "assault rifle 44") is a German assault rifle developed during World War II by Hugo Schmeisser. It is also known by its early designations as the MP 43 and…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StG_44
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“the team redesigned the protein... to bind with fragments that turned ABLE into two new proteins: an enzyme (KABLE, Kemp eliminase ABLE) and a compound that "lights up" (fluorescent ABLE)”
SINGLE SOURCE
No specific evidence in the provided results confirms the creation of KABLE or the fluorescent ABLE protein, although general protein redesign and fluorescence are discussed.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W177) is the fourth and current generation of the A-Class range of subcompact executive hatchbacks and sedans. It was launched in 2018 as the successor to the W176 A-Class, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_A-Class_(W177)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Mercedes-Benz W205 is the fourth generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class which was produced by Daimler AG between 2014 and 2021. The W205 C-Class was preceded by the W204 C-Class and superseded by…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_C-Class_(W205)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Staunton Military Academy was a private all-male military school located in Staunton, Virginia. Founded in 1884, the academy closed in 1976. The school was highly regarded for its academic and militar…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staunton_Military_Academy
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
“testing showed that KABLE was a record-breaking 10 times more active than any of the other designed enzymes.”
SINGLE SOURCE
No specific evidence in the provided results confirms the activity level of KABLE compared to other designed enzymes.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Joseph W. Kable is a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_W._Kable
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Dennis William Mahon (born August 29, 1950) is an American far-right terrorist who is part of the radical white supremacist movement. He was indicted for the 2004 Office of Diversity and Dialogue mail…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Mahon
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Gamer is a 2009 American science fiction action film written and directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. The film stars Gerard Butler as a participant in an online game in which participants can …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamer_(2009_film)
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
“The ABLE design is a helix”
VERIFIED
The evidence for claim 4 explicitly refers to the 'apixaban-binding helical bundle (ABLE)', confirming it is a helical bundle (helix).
info
“Chen, Y. et al, Emergence of specific binding and catalysis from a designed generalist binding protein. Nature Chemistry (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41557-026-02125-6.”
SINGLE SOURCE
A search result titled 'Emergence of specific binding and catalysis from a designed...' matches the title in the claim, but the provided snippets do not confirm the author 'Chen, Y.', the year '2026', or the specific DOI.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.