Rhomboid proteins are found in the cell membranes of almost every life form on earth. These speedy proteins zip around the cell membrane looking for molecules to cut. But why do they need to move so fast? Scientists like Siniša Urban believe that some of their targets must be released swiftly from the membrane to provide real-time signals to other cells that conditions have changed. He believes that studying this enzyme superfamily could reveal possibilities for new treatments for treating parasitic infections, cancer, inflammation and neurodegeneration.

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