Researchers from the Thomä group at FMI have identified a new mechanism by which UV-DDB detects and binds to damaged DNA tightly packed in nucleosomes. This mechanism, known as 'slide-assisted site-exposure', allows repair proteins to bind to lesions without requiring additional proteins or chemical energy.
Researchers used deep brain imaging to study amygdala activity in mice, revealing two large antagonistic sets of neurons that encode opposing moment-to-moment state changes. The findings suggest a complex neural basis for internal states like anxiety, which may have implications for understanding human anxiety disorders.
Researchers have identified the lin-41 mRNA as a crucial target of the let-7 microRNA, driving the transition to adulthood and sexual organ formation in C. elegans. This finding may provide insights into human puberty disorders linked to genetic variations affecting let-7 activity.
Researchers have identified a new way to target and degrade a class of proteins called zinc finger transcription factors, which play critical roles in health and disease. By modifying thalidomide analogs, scientists can selectively degrade specific zinc fingers, offering a promising lead for developing new cancer treatments.
Neurobiologists have identified specific types of neurons in the amygdala that process fear inputs and regulate subsequent fear responses. These circuits play a key role in the generalization of fear, allowing it to become divorced from its original situation, and may provide new targets for treating phobias and anxiety disorders.