 |
|
Small RNAs can play critical roles in male infertility/contraception
April 10, 2009RENO, Nev.- University of Nevada School of Medicine scientists in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology have discovered insight into the reproductive workings of the male sex chromosome that may have significant implications for male infertility and contraception.
This important discovery has been published in Nature Genetics, one of the highest-ranking journals in the field of biomedical research based upon the impact factor.
"The sex chromosome silencing in meiotic male germ cells is a well-known phenomenon, which has been termed meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. I was surprised when we first observed that numerous microRNAs were highly expressed in these cells," said Wei Yan, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator for the study and associate professor of physiology and cell biology at the School of Medicine.
Working in collaboration with Dr. John McCarrey, professor of molecular biology and reproductive biology at the University of Texas, San Antonio, Yan's research group further investigated all the known X-linked microRNAs. Their data confirm that these X chromosome-derived microRNAs indeed escape the silencing effects and mange to be expressed.
"This finding opens a new avenue towards understanding the role of these small RNA species in the control of sperm production. Worldwide, one in nine couples in their reproductive age experience infertility. On the other hand, the number of unintended pregnancy is increasing yearly. Since these small RNAs are involved in the control of sperm formation, they can be causative factors in male infertility and also can be used as non-hormonal male contraceptive targets," added Yan.
Yan's research is focused on mammalian sperm and egg production and is funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health. Rui Song, a third year graduate student and Seungil Ro, Ph.D., an assistant professor of physiology and cell biology, co-first authored this paper. Other contributing authors include Jason D. Michaels, a third year medical student, and Chanjae Park, Ph.D., a post-doctoral researcher.
University of Nevada, Reno
Cell Biology Current Events and Cell Biology News RSSFirst reconstitution of an epidermis from human embryonic stem cells
Stem cell research is making great strides. This is yet again illustrated by a study carried out by the I-STEM* Institute (I-STEM/ Inserm UEVE U861/AFM), published in the Lancet on 21 November 2009. The I-STEM team, directed by Marc Peschanski has just succeeded in recreating a whole epidermis from human embryonic stem cells.
Maize cell wall genes identified, giving boost to biofuel research
Purdue University scientists have helped identify and group the genes thought to be responsible for cell wall development in maize, an effort that expands their ability to discover ways to produce the biomass best suited for biofuels production.
UCR plant scientist's research spawns new discoveries showing how crops survive drought
Breakthrough research done earlier this year by a plant cell biologist at the University of California, Riverside has greatly accelerated scientists' knowledge on how plants and crops can survive difficult environmental conditions such as drought.
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.
Research reveals lipids' unexpected role in triggering death of brain cells
The lipid that accumulates in brain cells of individuals with an inherited enzyme disorder also drives the cell death that is a hallmark of the disease, according to new research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators.
Researchers 'notch' a victory toward new kind of cancer drug
Scientists have devised an innovative way to disarm a key protein considered to be "undruggable," meaning that all previous efforts to develop a drug against it have failed.
Iowa State University researcher discovers key to vital DNA, protein interaction
A researcher at Iowa State University has discovered how a group of proteins from plant pathogenic bacteria interact with DNA in the plant cell, opening up the possibility for what the scientist calls a "cascade of advances."
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.
Common weed could provide clues on aging and cancer
A common weed and human cancer cells could provide some very uncommon details about DNA structure and its relationship with telomeres and how they affect cellular aging and cancer, according to a team led by scientists from Texas A&M University and the University of Cincinnati (UC).
Chemosensitivity of cancer cells depends on their protein dependency
Two different anti-apoptotic proteins support cancer cell survival via an identical mechanism, yet differ in their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs, report Brunelle et al. The study will be published online October 26, 2009 and in the November 2, 2009 print issue of the Journal of Cell Biology (JCB).
More Cell Biology Current Events and Cell Biology News Articles
 |
Molecular Biology of the Cell by Bruce Alberts (Author), Alexander Johnson (Author), Julian Lewis (Author), Martin Raff (Author), Keith Roberts (Author), Peter Walter (Author) For nearly a quarter century Molecular Biology of the Cell has been the leading cell biology textbook. This tradition continues with the new Fifth Edition, which has been completely revised and updated to describe our current, rapidly advancing understanding of cell biology. To list but a few examples, a large amount of new material is presented on epigenetics; stem cells; RNAi; comparative genomics; the latest cancer therapies; apoptosis (now its own separate chapter); and cell cycle control and the mechanics of M phase (now integrated into one chapter). The hallmark features of Molecular Biology of the Cell have been retained, such as its consistent and comprehensive art program, clear concept headings, and succinct section summaries. Additionally, in response to... |
 |
Cell Biology: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access (Pollard, Cell Biology, with Student Consult Online Access) by Thomas D. Pollard MD (Author), William C. Earnshaw PhD FRSE (Author), Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz PhD (Author) A masterful introduction to the cell biology that you need to know! This critically acclaimed textbook offers you a modern and unique approach to the study of cell biology. It emphasizes that cellular structure, function, and dysfunction ultimately result from specific macromolecular interactions. You'll progress from an explanation of the "hardware" of molecules and cells to an understanding of how these structures function in the organism in both healthy and diseased states. The exquisite art program helps you to better visualize molecular structures. Covers essential concepts in a more efficient, reader-friendly manner than most other texts on this subject. Makes cell biology easier to understand by demonstrating how cellular structure, function, and dysfunction result from... |
 |
Essential Cell Biology by Bruce Alberts (Author), Dennis Bray (Author), Karen Hopkin (Author), Alexander Johnson (Author), Julian Lewis (Author), Martin Raff (Author), Keith Roberts (Author), Peter Walter (Author) Essential Cell Biology provides an accessible introduction to the fundamental concepts of cell biology. Its lively writing and exceptional illustrations make it the ideal textbook for a first course in cell and molecular biology. The text and figures are easy-to-follow, accurate, clear, and engaging for the introductory student. Molecular detail has been kept to a minimum in order to provide the reader with a cohesive, conceptual framework of the basic science that underlies our current understanding of biology. The Third Edition is thoroughly updated scientifically, yet maintains the academic level and size of the previous edition. The book is accompanied by a Media DVD-ROM with over 130 animations and videos, all the figures from the book, and a new self-test... |
 |
Essential Cell Biology, Second Edition by Bruce Alberts (Author), Dennis Bray (Author), Karen Hopkin (Author), Alexander Johnson (Author), Julian Lewis (Author), Martin Raff (Author), Keith Roberts (Author), Peter Walter (Author) The second edition retains all the beauty of the first, and it serves as an editorial model -- a guide that shows us how serious authors prepare a new version of a serious book. The first edition was the work of seven authors, all of them outstanding scientists [note 2]. For the second edition, the team of authors has been expanded to include a science writer, Karen Hopkin, whose main responsibility (the Preface tells us) has been "to make the book clear, accessible, and fun to read." As in the earlier edition, there is a digest of "Essential Concepts" near the end of each chapter, and the illustrations are grouped into panels that actually explain principles, structures, procedures and experiments, rather than just providing pretty distractions. Some of the material has... |
 |
Standard Deviants School - The Dissected World of Biology, Program 2 - The Cell (Classroom Edition) Starring: Standard Deviants School The DVD features award-winning Standard Deviants School programming, which will capture your students attention and make the subject come alive! Content includes a topic based video programming, classroom notes, graphic handouts, quiz, and answer questions plus a fact filled video segment accompanied by quiz and discussion questions. Cerebellum Teaching System equips you with everything you need to succeed where it matter most: the classroom. Topics covered: Nucleus, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, mitochondria, DNA, hydrogen bonds, genes & genomes, messenger RNA. |
 |
Molecular and Cell Biology For Dummies (For Dummies (Math & Science)) by Rene Fester Kratz (Author) Your hands-on study guide to the inner world of the cell Need to get a handle on molecular and cell biology? This easy-to-understand guide explains the structure and function of the cell and how recombinant DNA technology is changing the face of science and medicine. You discover how fundamental principles and concepts relate to everyday life. Plus, you get plenty of study tips to improve your grades and score higher on exams! Explore the world of the cell — take a tour inside the structure and function of cells and see how viruses attack and destroy them Understand the stuff of life (molecules) — get up to speed on the structure of atoms, types of bonds, carbohydrates, proteins, DNA, RNA, and lipids Watch as cells function and reproduce... |
 |
Molecular Cell Biology (Lodish, Molecular Cell Biology) by Harvey Lodish (Author), Arnold Berk (Author), Chris A. Kaiser (Author), Monty Krieger (Author), Matthew P. Scott (Author), Anthony Bretscher (Author), Hidde Ploegh (Author), Paul Matsudaira (Author) With its acclaimed author team, cutting-edge content, emphasis on medical relevance, and coverage based on landmark experiments, Molecular Cell Biology has justly earned an impeccable reputation as an authoritative and exciting text. The new Sixth Edition features two new coauthors, expanded coverage of immunology and development, and new media tools for students and instructors. |
 |
Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fifth Edition: The Problems Book by John Wilson (Author), Tim Hunt (Author) The Problems Book helps students appreciate the ways in which experiments and simple calculations can lead to an understanding of how cells work by introducing the experimental foundation of cell and molecular biology. Each chapter will review key terms, test for understanding basic concepts, and pose research-based problems. The Problems Book has been designed to correspond with the first twenty chapters of Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fifth Edition. • Includes the solutions to the end-of-chapter problems in the textbook Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fifth Edition. • Contains over 2,000 problems and their solutions. • All of the solutions to the problems in The Problems Book are on the CD-ROM that is packaged with every copy of the... |
 |
Cell and Molecular Biology: Concepts and Experiments by Gerald Karp (Author) For sophomore/junior-level courses in cell biology offered out of molecular and/or cell biology departments. Cell and Molecular Biology gives students the tools they need to understand the science behind cell biology. Karp explores core concepts in considerable depth, and presents experimental detail when it helps to explain and reinforce the concept being explained. This fifth edition continues to offer an exceedingly clear presentation and excellent art program, both of which have received high praise in prior editions. |
 |
Teaching Systems Biology Module 2: The Cell Starring: Cerebellum Academic Team Directed By: Sam Genovese It is time to investigate your inner real estate: your cells. You consist of over 75 trillion cells and the Standard Deviants will show you what they're like. You'll uncover the mysteries of DNA and crack the genetic codes inside of each and every one of us. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |