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Science News for November 6, 2011


Model of enzyme's structure could spur new therapies

Researchers at Brown University have created an unprecedentedly detailed description of a kinase complex, which could lead to new therapeutic drugs for diseases such as Alzheimer's and cancer. The team discovered a unique binding site, called KIS, that plays a crucial role in the complex's formation.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 6, 2011

ICRISAT-led team cracks pigeonpea genome

The ICRISAT-led team has completed the genome sequence of pigeonpea, a legume crop grown by millions of poor farmers worldwide. With this breakthrough, scientists can now identify genes for drought tolerance and improve crop productivity, tackling pests and disease constraints in production.

SourceBGI Shenzhen·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 6, 2011

Process important to brain development studied in detail

Researchers at Uppsala University have examined the mechanism of gene transcription and found that genes active in the brain are transcribed with a special mechanism. During fetal development, there is a larger proportion of RNA molecules containing introns compared to fully developed brains.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateNov 6, 2011

Metabolic protein plays unexpected role in tumor cell formation and growth

A team of researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) has an unexpected role in regulating cell proliferation and tumor formation in brain cancer. PKM2's ability to bind to beta-catenin in the cell nucleus is essential for its function, and its levels are correlated with brain t...

More promising natural gas storage?

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a computational method to quickly identify metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with high potential for natural gas storage. The new algorithm rapidly generates and tests hypothetical MOFs, leading to the discovery of over 300 promising structures.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateNov 6, 2011