Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Dartmouth researchers find new protein function

Dartmouth researchers find new protein function

January 09, 2009

Discovery contributes to understanding the intricate mechanics of cell division

HANOVER, NH - A group of Dartmouth researchers has found a new function for one of the proteins involved with chromosome segregation during cell division. Their finding adds to the growing knowledge about the fundamental workings of cells, and contributes to understanding how cell function can go wrong, as it does with cancerous cells.




The researchers studied a protein called NOD, distantly related to the motor proteins that power diverse cellular activities, including intracellular transport, signaling, and cell division. They used X-ray crystallography to determine its structure, and then they used enzyme kinetics to find out how it performed. While this protein is found in fruit flies, the results are helpful in determining how related proteins work in humans.

"This study on NOD provided evidence for a new way a kinesin motor could function," said Jared Cochran, a postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth and the lead author on the study. "Rather than moving on its own, it hitches a ride on the ends of microtubules which results in a dynamic cross-linking between the arms of chromosomes and the cell's growing spindle of microtubules. If NOD doesn't function properly, then the two cells end up with either both or none of that particular chromosome, which is lethal [to the cell and the organism] in most cases."

With colleagues from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, the Dartmouth group published their study in the Jan. 9, 2009, issue of the journal Cell. Their paper is titled, "ATPase Cycle of the Nonmotile Kinesin NOD Allows Microtubule End Tracking and Drives Chromosome Movement."

"Before this study, it had been shown that kinesin motors either walked along their microtubule tracks or functioned to break microtubules apart," says Jon Kull, the senior author on the paper, associate professor of chemistry at Dartmouth, and a 1988 Dartmouth graduate. "This work describes a novel mode for kinesin function, in which NOD does not walk, but rather alternates between grabbing on to and letting go of the end of the growing filament, thereby tracking the end as it grows. The diversity of function of these proteins is remarkable."

One of the authors on the paper, Natasha Mulko, is a 2007 Dartmouth graduate, and worked on this project as her senior honors thesis in chemistry. Mulko is currently a graduate student in dentistry at Creighton University. "Natasha's work was integral to this study as she worked on obtaining and improving the protein crystals necessary to solve the structure," says Kull, her thesis advisor.

Dartmouth College



Related Chromosome Current Events and Chromosome News Articles Chromosome Current Events and Chromosome News RSS Chromosome Current Events and Chromosome News RSS
Gene mismatch influences success of bone marrow transplants
A commonly inherited gene deletion can increase the likelihood of immune complications following bone marrow transplantation, an international team of researchers reports in the November 22 advance online issue of Nature Genetics.

New map of variation in maize genetics holds promise for developing new varieties
A new study of maize has identified thousands of diverse genes in genetically inaccessible portions of the genome. New techniques may allow breeders and researchers to use this genetic variation to identify desirable traits and create new varieties that were not easily possible before.

New Down syndrome treatment suggested by Stanford/Packard study in mice
At birth, children with Down syndrome aren't developmentally delayed. But as they age, these kids fall behind. Memory deficits inherent in Down syndrome hinder learning, making it hard for the brain to collect experiences needed for normal cognitive development.

Cognitive dysfunction reversed in mouse model of Down syndrome
A study by neuroscientist William C. Mobley, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and colleagues at Stanford University Medical School has demonstrated a possible new approach to slowing the inevitable progression of cognitive decline found in Down's syndrome.

Chromosomes dance and pair up on the nuclear membrane
Meiosis - the pairing and recombination of chromosomes, followed by segregation of half to each egg or sperm cell - is a major crossroads in all organisms reproducing sexually.

Largest gene study of childhood IBD identifies 5 new genes
In the largest, most comprehensive genetic analysis of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an international research team has identified five new gene regions, including one involved in a biological pathway that helps drive the painful inflammation of the digestive tract that characterizes the disease.

CSHL study shows that some malignant tumors can be shut down after all
Oncologists have had their hands tied because more than half of all human cancers have mutations that disable a protein called p53.

Possible help in fight against muscle-wasting disease
A compound already used to treat pneumonia could become a new therapy for an inherited muscular wasting disease, according to researchers at the University of Oregon and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York.

Developmental delay could stem from nicotinic receptor deletion
The loss of a gene through deletion of genetic material on chromosome 15 is associated with significant abnormalities in learning and behavior, said a consortium of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine (www.bcm.edu) in a report that appears online today in the journal Nature Genetics.

Autism Consortium symposium draws record number of researchers, advocates, parents for autism update
The Autism Consortium, an innovative collaboration of researchers, clinicians, funders and families dedicated to catalyzing research and enhancing clinical care for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), held its fourth annual symposium on October 28th, 2009, at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
More Chromosome Current Events and Chromosome News Articles
Chromosome 6

Chromosome 6
by Robin Cook (Author)

In his most prophetic novel, Robin Cook challenges the ethics of genetic manipulation and cloning.

"Shocking and thought-provoking...Cook's best to date." (ssociated Press)

The Calcutta Chromosome: A Novel of Fevers, Delirium & Discovery

The Calcutta Chromosome: A Novel of Fevers, Delirium & Discovery
by Amitav Ghosh (Author)

From Victorian lndia to near-future New York, The Calcutta Chromosome takes readers on a wondrous journey through time as a computer programmer trapped in a mind-numbing job hits upon a curious item that will forever change his life. When Antar discovers the battered I.D. card of a long-lost acquaintance, he is suddenly drawn into a spellbinding adventure across centuries and around the globe, into the strange life of L. Murugan, a man obsessed with the medical history of malaria, and into a magnificently complex world where conspiracy hangs in the air like mosquitoes on a summer night.



Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angel Chromosome XX Series A-14 Zurzel-XX

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angel Chromosome XX Series A-14 Zurzel-XX
by Yamato

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angel Chromosome XX Series A-14 Zurzel-XX.

His & Hers Chromosome Towels - XX

His & Hers Chromosome Towels - XX
by T.R. Miller Co., Inc.

Geeks understand the importance of towels. And sometimes two geeks get together and live in the same house. Know what that leads to? Towel fights. Not the sort where you wet one end and snap it, but fights over whose towel is whose. First, we thought we'd solve that the same way nations do. But it's impractical to stick flags in towels. They never stay upright, and then the nylon gets all wet, and it's just a bad scene all around. So we went with the monogram option. Choose your towel by the applicable set of sex chromosomes. And voila! No more towel confusion. We're afraid if you live in a single sex dorm, this isn't going to help. Unless you're the only science-y one there. And then, score!

Chromosome Abnormalities and Genetic Counseling (Oxford Monographs on Medical Genetics, No. 46)

Chromosome Abnormalities and Genetic Counseling (Oxford Monographs on Medical Genetics, No. 46)
by R. J. McKinlay Gardner (Author), Grant R. Sutherland (Author)

Genetic Health Services Victoria and Murdoch Children's Institute, Melbourne, Australia. Discusses genetic counseling and how to help concerned parents make informed decisions. Covers the basics of genetics, parents with chromosomal abnormality, and prenatal diagnosis. Previous edition: c1996.

XX Chromosome [Explicit]

XX Chromosome [Explicit]
Ardent Agenda (Primary Contributor)



Chromosomes & Genes

Chromosomes & Genes
Starring: Sunburst Visual Media
Directed By: Sunburst Visual Media

Modern society is being bombarded with new information about genetics every day! Make sure your students understand the key concepts that will enable them to fully understand this topic. Students are intrigued that genes can influence looks and behavior!

Chromosome Gun

Chromosome Gun
by Ultralyd

All-star lineup of some key Norwegian improvisers making dense & chewy stew. Kjetil Brandsdal (NOXAGT) on bass, Frode Gjerstad (Circulasione Totale Orchestra) on altosax & clarinet, Anders Hana on electric guitar & Morton Olsen on drums. 7 sompositions w/an avant-garde schooled energy that's heavy w/a downtuned rock vibe

  CHROMOSOME - BODY SPRAY 1.7 OZ [Health and Beauty]
by Chromosome

CHROMOSOME - BODY SPRAY 1.7 OZ

  Chromosomes & Genes (Teacher's Video Company)



© 2009 BrightSurf.com