Scientists at Uppsala University, in collaboration with the universities of Utrecht and Leiden in the Netherlands and Kalmar in Sweden have managed to describe the crystal structure of one of the key proteins in the natural immune system, complement factor C3. This protein was isolated and characterized for the first time here at Uppsala University more than 40 years ago. A large number of studies have shown since then that the protein bonds with and interacts with 30-40 other proteins and receptors in the blood and on white corpuscles. But despite repeated attempts, it had not been possible to determine its crystal structure, and this has hampered our understanding of these bonds.
âThe protein is of great importance to the bodyâs defense against micro-organisms and is one of the main factors in the inflammatory process in many autoimmune disorders,â° says Bo Nilsson, Department of Clinical Immunology, who directs the research team.
The three dimensional structure now shows that the protein developed from a proto-protein about 800 million years ago and that this protein has since given rise to several other defense proteins in organisms from insects to mammals. The structure also shows that the protein undergoes a drastic metamorphosis after it has become activated, which will explain how the interplay with other proteins is regulated. The new findings may lead to tailor-made drugs to regulate the destructive inflammatory processes that are associated with autoimmune diseases like arthritic rheumatism, SLE, vascular inflammations, hemolytic anemias, kidney inflammations, and blood poisoning.
Kristina Nilsson Ekdahl, phone: +46 18-611 11 71, cell phone: +46 70-345 04 49, e-mail: Kristina.Nilsson-_Ekdahl@klinimm.uu.se
Bo Nilsson, phone: +46 18-611 39 77, e-mail: Bo.Nilsson@klinimm.uu.se
22 September, 2023 - Uppsala universitet
Turnout in the general elections in 2022 fell more sharply in electoral districts that had long queues to the polling stations than in comparable districts without queuing issues. Queuing can only explain a small part of the decrease in turnout between the years 2018 and 2022, however. 87 percent of the population voted in 2018, which fell to 84 percent in 2022.
19 September, 2023 - Uppsala universitet
Stacy VanDeveer, professor in Global Governance and Human Security at the University of Massachusetts Boston becomes visiting professor in Climate Change Leadership at Uppsala University. The ten-years series of visiting professorships is financed by a previous donation to Uppsala University by alumnus Niklas Zennström and Catherine Zennström through their foundation Zennström Philanthropies.
19 September, 2023 - Uppsala universitet
Stacy VanDeveer, professor i Global Governance and Human Security vid University of Massachusetts i Boston blir den sjÀtte gÀstprofessorn i klimatledarskap vid Uppsala universitet. Den tioÄriga gÀstprofessuren, dÀr en ny professor inbjuds varje eller vartannat Är, finansieras genom en tidigare donation av entreprenören Niklas Zennström och hans hustru Catherine Zennström till Uppsala universitet.
11 September, 2023 - Uppsala universitet
Horizon Europe, the European Union’s research initiative, announces âŹ150 million funding for Battery 2030+, an initiative for developing advanced green battery technology. This signifies a renewed confidence in Battery 2030+ coordinated by Uppsala University, Sweden, with the goal to make Europe the world leader in the development and production of green batteries.
Expertsvar, The Swedish Research Council, Hantverkargatan 11B, Stockholm SWEDENPhone +46(0)8 546 44 000
P.O. Box 1035, SE-101 38 Stockholm, expertsvar@vr.se
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