 |
|
Workman Lab characterizes novel regulator of chromosome function
March 11, 2008The Stowers Institute's Workman Lab has shed new light on a novel histone acetyltransferase protein complex called ATAC. Acetyltransferases are enzymes that introduce a new acetyl functional group into histone proteins, a process by which all chromosome functions are controlled.
The findings were posted to the Web site of Nature Structural and Molecular Biology yesterday and will appear in a future print edition of the journal.
ATAC is unique as the only acetyltransferase protein complex that contains two distinct acetyltransferase enzymes; one that generally activates processes like gene transcription and DNA repair and another that makes a specific modification thought to alter chromosome structure. ATAC can also assist in the movement of chromosome subunits, called nucleosomes, along DNA.
The work was conducted using the Drosophila, or fruit fly, model - ATAC is present in multicellular organisms, including fruit flies and humans, but not in lower eukaryotes, like yeast.
"We knew that the ATAC complex existed and that it was only present in multicellular organisms, but we did not know all the proteins it contained or what their functions were," said Tamaki Suganuma, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Associate and first author on the paper. "In this work, we were able to identify the protein components of ATAC to gain insight into its functions."
The improved understanding of ATAC may lead to a better understanding of a number of human diseases.
"We were able to show that in Drosophila, the ATAC complex is essential for development of the embryo to an adult organism," said Jerry Workman, Ph.D., Investigator and senior author on the publication. "It is likely that ATAC will also be required for development of mammals, including humans, and that by understanding the functions of ATAC we will be better able to pinpoint its role in developmental defects and cancers." Having characterized all of the proteins in ATAC, the Workman Lab will now focus on which chromosomal functions it regulates and how these actions contribute to development.
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
The work was conducted using the Drosophila, or fruit fly, model - ATAC is present in multicellular organisms, including fruit flies and humans, but not in lower eukaryotes, like yeast.
"We knew that the ATAC complex existed and that it was only present in multicellular organisms, but we did not know all the proteins it contained or what their functions were," said Tamaki Suganuma, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Associate and first author on the paper. "In this work, we were able to identify the protein components of ATAC to gain insight into its functions."
The improved understanding of ATAC may lead to a better understanding of a number of human diseases.
"We were able to show that in Drosophila, the ATAC complex is essential for development of the embryo to an adult organism," said Jerry Workman, Ph.D., Investigator and senior author on the publication. "It is likely that ATAC will also be required for development of mammals, including humans, and that by understanding the functions of ATAC we will be better able to pinpoint its role in developmental defects and cancers." Having characterized all of the proteins in ATAC, the Workman Lab will now focus on which chromosomal functions it regulates and how these actions contribute to development.
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
More Chromosome Function News Articles
 | Genetic Modulators of Pulmonary Function in Cystic Fibrosis & Genetic Susceptibility Factors of Emphysema (ACTA Biomedica Lovaniensia) by Jennifer S. Yarden This is a Ph.D. thesis. CF is one of the most common lethal autosomal recessive affecting the Caucasian population with an incidence of about 1 in 2500 births. Clinical manifestations are attributed to mutations in the CFTR gene, which encodes an epithelial chloride channel. Specific mutations can influence the severity and progression of CF disease, but wide variations within genetically... |
 | Chromosomes: Organization and Function by Adrian T. Sumner Integrating classical knowledge of chromosome organisation with recent molecular and functional findings, this book presents an up-to-date view of chromosome organisation and function for advanced undergraduate students studying genetics. The organisation and behaviour of chromosomes is central to genetics and the equal segregation of genes and chromosomes into daughter cells at cell division is... |
| DYNAMICS OF THE BACTERIAL CHROMOSOME - STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION by SCHUMANN | |
| Molecular Biology of Chromosome Function by Kenneth W Adolph | |
 | Some Aspects of Chromosome Structure And Functions |
| Concepts of the structure and function of DNA, chromatin, and chromosomes | |
| Chromosome Structure and Function (Van Nostrand Reinhold Advanced Cell Biology Series) | |
| Chromosome Structure and Function: by J. Perry Gustafson | |
 | Fatigue Strength and Behavior of Ship Structural Details This is a NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER CARDEROCK DIV BETHESDA MD report procured by the Pentagon and made available for public release. It has been reproduced in the best form available to the Pentagon. It is not spiral-bound, but rather assembled with Velobinding in a soft, white linen cover. The Storming Media report number is A722073. The abstract provided by the Pentagon follows: This report... |
| Structure and Function of Eukaryotic Chromosomes (Results and problems in cell differentiation) |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |