Research suggests centromeric DNA and histones evolve rapidly, influencing species compatibility. Continuous evolution of centromeric histones may be driving adaptation to changing DNA sequences, contributing to the 'centromere paradox' and species sterility.
The Ku heterodimer, a key player in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), is shown to 'cradle' broken DNA ends with its ring-shaped molecule, forming a precise alignment for repair enzymes. This structure provides insights into the accuracy of the NHEJ process and its importance in genome integrity.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded $12 million in grants to informal science education centers across the US. The funding will support collaborations between nature centers, schools, and community institutions to strengthen science literacy among children and families.
Scientists uncover evidence that the amyloid-beta protein precursor (APP) can activate gene transcription through interactions with adaptor proteins Fe65 and Tip60. This finding suggests a potential link between misregulated gene expression and sporadic Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have identified two distinct clusters of genes in the Arabidopsis genome that code for pollen coat proteins. These proteins enable the dry pollen coat to interact with stigma cells during pollination. The discovery provides insights into how plants recognize pollen and could lead to new techniques for crossing plants, preve...
By altering the order of structural elements during folding, researchers successfully redesigned the protein G's pathway to mimic that of another protein. The re-engineered protein exhibited increased stability and a significantly faster folding rate than its natural counterpart.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have identified a link between faulty glycan construction and the onset of autoimmune diseases like lupus. Knocking out a gene involved in modifying sugar molecules on cell surfaces led to mice developing lupus-like abnormalities, including inflamed kidneys and autoreactive antibodies.
Researchers have identified a protein in fruit flies that resembles the molecule targeted by cocaine, offering insights into its addictive properties. The discovery of this protein, called dDAT, could lead to genetic manipulation and behavioral studies.
Researchers have discovered a new protein component that controls calcium entry into cells and activates itself and other proteins, making it a potential new drug target for diseases like cancer and heart conditions. The protein, TRP-PLIK, is present in many tissues and its unique dual function has sparked interest among scientists.
Researchers have identified a flavin monooxygenase-like enzyme central to auxin biosynthesis in plants, revealing an important pathway for auxin synthesis. The discovery offers clues that may aid researchers studying similar enzymes in mammals.
Researchers have pinpointed the first human gene that controls circadian rhythm, a discovery that raises hopes for treating sleep problems in adolescents, the elderly, and shift workers. The study found a mutation in the hPer2 gene, which is responsible for familial advanced sleep-phase syndrome.
Researchers have synthesized a protein called 5-Helix that jams the HIV grappling hook, preventing infection. The protein is stable and resistant to degradation, making it a promising candidate for injectable therapy.
Researchers have identified a brain region involved in planning movement, which also controls gain control of eye movements. This finding provides new insight into how the brain adjusts to moving objects, allowing for smooth image display.
Researchers found a way to prevent infectious malaria particles from bursting out of their protective sacs by blocking the activity of a protein-snipping enzyme called protease. This discovery suggests that protease inhibitors could be used to treat malaria infection and keep the infectious particles imprisoned until they deteriorate.
Researchers found that ribavirin increases the mutation rate of RNA viruses, pushing them into genetic meltdown and making them useless. This mechanism offers hope for designing more effective antiviral drugs.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have developed a new technique to visualize the function of synaptic channels using optical fluctuation analysis. The study revealed that individual synapses typically hold only about six calcium channels, which open with high probability in response to action potentials.
Researchers have created a comprehensive map of yeast protein interactions, revealing intriguing connections between proteins involved in different cellular processes. The network analysis suggests that these interactions can aid in predicting protein functions and uncovering new hypotheses about gene function.
Researchers have identified a new fast serotonin receptor in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans that can inhibit neuronal activity. This discovery raises hopes for developing new treatments for disorders caused by serotonin imbalance, such as mood disorders and obesity.
Researchers have identified a genetic cause for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), the most common form of glomerulonephritis worldwide. The gene, located on chromosome 6, is linked to the disease in about 60% of families studied.
Researchers identified a protein in vertebrates that detects cell salt concentration and regulates its balance. The discovery may lead to improved treatment of kidney disorders and high blood pressure.
Researchers have identified a protein called BNC1 that plays a crucial role in sensing light touch, allowing animals to detect gentle stimuli like a mosquito landing on their arm. The study found that knocking out the BNC1 gene greatly reduces the ability to sense light touch, but not completely eliminates it.
Deleting the b1 subunit of the BK channel in mice causes high blood pressure and enlarged hearts, suggesting it as a promising target for anti-hypertension drugs. The study provides a new model for investigating the molecular basis of hypertension.
Researchers have identified regulatory cells that govern the behavior of stem cells in Drosophila, revealing a specialized cellular environment known as a niche. The niche environment provides support needed for stem cell self-renewal, and its characteristics may offer insights into human stem cell regulation.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute successfully directed human embryonic stem cells to differentiate into three germ layers: ectodermal (brain, skin), mesodermal (muscle) and endodermal (liver and pancreas). The study suggests that a combination of growth factors may be needed to achieve specific cell lineages.
Researchers show that the transcription factor E2F-1 activates both p53 and p73, playing a crucial role in cell death. This finding raises the possibility of using activators of E2F-1 to tip the balance towards apoptosis, potentially leading to new cancer therapies.
Researchers discovered a novel survival mechanism in Salmonella bacteria that detects and protects them from high levels of iron. The PmrA/PmrB system allows Salmonella to fend off the antibiotic polymyxin and thrive in hostile environments.
Researchers discovered that misfolded yeast prion proteins can alter protein synthesis and unveil silent genes, generating novel traits. By ignoring natural genetic stop signals, yeast may gain advantageous properties such as increased antibiotic resistance.
A new genetic variation in the calpain-10 gene has been identified as a significant contributor to type 2 diabetes. This discovery provides new insight into the origins of the disease and its impact on patients' lives, offering potential therapeutic approaches for treatment.
Researchers used fMRI to probe the roots of a longstanding hypothesis in memory research. They found that recalling sensory-specific experiences activates brain regions responsible for processing those experiences. However, they also discovered that high-level perception areas are selectively reactivated during remembering, suggesting ...
Researchers found that female mice lacking IRS-2 protein are infertile due to defective ovaries and abnormal hormone production. The study suggests an evolutionarily conserved pathway linking energy metabolism and fertility in humans and animals, with potential implications for diabetes treatment.
Researchers discovered how a new anticancer drug inhibits a runaway protein switch that causes chronic myelogenous leukemia by exploiting alterations in the shape of the protein. This precise control could give pharmaceutical companies and basic researchers new tools for manipulating cell growth and signaling pathways.
Researchers discovered that certain genes are involved in both RNA interference and nonsense-mediated decay, a protective mechanism that prevents defective protein production. The findings provide valuable clues to the relationship between these two cellular processes.
Researchers have created protein microarrays that can measure the function of thousands of proteins, enabling rapid screening of small-molecule drug candidates and profiling of enzymes in cells. The technique preserves protein function and functionality, allowing for creation of 'protein snapshots' of cells.
Researchers have discovered two targets for a new generation of cholesterol-lowering drugs that should allow greater precision in managing cholesterol levels. A key compound, LG268, has been shown to completely block the absorption of cholesterol in mice, while also enhancing the production of reverse cholesterol transporters.
HHMI researchers have found a way to shut down the inflammatory response in cells that spares related mechanisms needed for proper function. The treatment relieves inflammation in mice with surprising effectiveness by targeting NF-kB.
A plant compound, cyclopamine, has been found to block the action of mutated cancer genes that produce basal cell skin carcinomas. The drug may be used to treat various types of cancers, including medulloblastomas in the brain and rhabdomyosarcomas in muscle.
Scientists have nearly eliminated pre-cancerous colon polyps in mice susceptible to colon tumors by combining an aspirin-like compound with a drug that inhibits epidermal growth factor activity. The combination therapy successfully blocked the development of pre-cancerous polyps and reduced cancerous tumor formation by over 95%.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism by which prions replicate their structures in yeast, suggesting a general model for understanding protein aggregation in human diseases. The finding offers potential pathways to treatment and sheds light on the novel mode of inheritance used by yeast prions.
Researchers discover that nerve cells use chemical scissors to clip off axon guidance receptors, controlling their navigation in the nervous system. Metalloprotease inhibitors enhance netrin activity by blocking receptor cleavage.
A genetic program has been identified that constructs the pipeline supplying blood and nutrients to colorectal tumors. This program involves a group of 46 genes known as tumor endothelial markers (TEMs), which are elevated tenfold or more in tumor endothelium.
Researchers discovered an enzyme called isocitrate lyase (ICL) that allows TB bacteria to persist in macrophages and evade immune attack. A drug targeting ICL may reduce treatment time for chronic infection. The enzyme's crystal structure has been determined, providing clues for designing drugs to attack persistent TB bacteria.
Researchers obtained the most detailed images of the ribosome's factory, where amino acids are linked into proteins. The high-resolution structure reveals that the ribosome is a ribozyme, an RNA enzyme, and provides insights into its evolution and function.
Researchers find nearly 99% identity in X and Y chromosome regions, revealing a much smaller difference in mutation rates. This discovery suggests that genetic-disease-producing mutations must be explored for individual underlying causes, potentially changing the understanding of inherited diseases.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has awarded $15 million in grants to 45 scientists worldwide to develop new approaches for treating various infectious and parasitic diseases. The selected researchers will focus on specific diseases or study underlying biological processes to control or cure these conditions.
Researchers used three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the ratcheting rotation of ribosomal subunits relative to each other. This motion facilitates translocation of mRNA and tRNA during protein synthesis.
Researchers have identified a protein that governs the flow of mineral-reducing pyrophosphate into joint tissues. This finding could provide powerful new insights into the basic mechanisms underlying some forms of arthritis, a group of diseases affecting half of people 65 and older.
Researchers at University of Toronto have identified a common principle underlying brain cell death in neurodegenerative disorders. They propose a 'one-hit' model, where cells die after a single catastrophic event, rather than gradual damage over time.
Researchers discovered a mutation in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene, leading to dangerously high blood pressure in pregnant women. The mutation renders the receptor more sensitive to progesterone, causing excessive salt retention and skyrocketing blood pressure.
Researchers have solved the crystal structure of the cytoplasmic-facing portion of voltage-dependent potassium channels, controlling potassium flow out of cells. The findings shed light on the attachment mechanism of a key protein subunit to the channel's complex structure.
Researchers discovered that three fruit fly genes Scribble, Lethal giant larvae, and Discs-large are crucial for orderly epithelial cell growth. Mutations in these genes cause cells to become overgrown and form solid, tumor-like masses, similar to human malignant tumors.