Researchers at Salk Institute and collaborators found that antagonists, not agonists, are more effective in targeting tumors. Antagonists can bind to a greater variety of receptor conformations, making them a more efficient target.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered a non-structural gene, duboraya, that influences cilia function and regulates left-right patterning in zebrafish embryos. The gene's activation by Wnt signaling pathway helps create a counterclockwise flow necessary for establishing left versus right asymmetry.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that fisetin stimulates signaling pathways that enhance long-term memory in healthy mice. Fisetin was shown to induce differentiation of neural cells and activate a signaling pathway involved in memory formation, called long-term potentiation.
Researchers found that Vax2 protein shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm in response to Sonic hedgehog signaling molecule. In its nuclear state, Vax2 represses Pax6, allowing optic nerve development. In contrast, Pax6 regulates retinal fate. This coordination is crucial for proper eye development.
Scientists at the Salk Institute discovered a link between cell size and growth in algae, which may provide new clues to cancer. They found that cells need specific proteins to divide on schedule once they reach a critical size.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that moving eyes helps resolve ambiguous visual inputs, improving object recognition. The brain uses internal image stabilization and eye movement feedback to maintain stable perception despite shaky video streams.
A study published in NeuroImage found structural abnormalities in the planum temporale of individuals with Williams syndrome, which may explain their enhanced auditory skills. Despite smaller brain volumes, the temporal lobe was found to be of normal volume, suggesting that other factors contribute to their unique abilities.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that cancer cells use NF-kB survival factor to stay alive when attacked by chemotherapeutic drugs. This finding suggests a strategy to enhance the effectiveness of rapamycin-based therapies by inhibiting NF-kB signaling.
Researchers at the Salk Institute and UCLA developed a high-density microarray technique to capture genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in Arabidopsis, a plant species. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding human genome analysis, stem cell biology, and therapeutic cloning.
Researchers at Salk Institute and MRC discovered how slime molds synthesise the chemical signal DIF-1 using a unique type III PKS domain arrangement. This discovery informs the development of more efficient methods for producing modified polyketides for human use, highlighting the complexity of natural chemicals in biological systems.
A study published in Nature identifies a subunit of the NMDA receptor as crucial for young neurons to survive and integrate into adult brain circuits. The discovery sheds light on how newborn nerve cells in adult brains live or die.
A study by Salk Institute researchers reveals that aging is a critical factor in the buildup of toxic beta amyloid aggregates in the brain. The team found that cells use an unexpected two-pronged strategy to rid themselves of these aggregates, with high molecular weight species being less toxic than smaller ones.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that specific plant hormones activate different factors rather than a common target, contradicting the long-held assumption that they converge on a central growth regulatory module. This discovery was made using gene-chip technology and analysis of microarray data from the AtGenExpress project.
Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have discovered a DNA-binding protein called Nanog that coaxes mouse ES cells back into an immature state, regaining pluripotency. This finding has significant implications for regenerative medicine and could potentially be used to regenerate stem cells from differentiated cells.
Researchers genetically engineered mice to overexpress a protein that regulates fat storage, finding they remained lean despite consuming an equally high-fat diet. The study suggests potential therapeutic strategies for obesity and insulin resistance.
Researchers at Salk Institute identify growth factor FGF as molecule guiding axons to muscles, uncovering general principles of neuronal connections. This discovery may help restore movement in people with motor neuron diseases and improve understanding of autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers at Salk Institute and Stanford University found that axon degeneration after injury involves different mechanisms than normal developmental pruning. The Wlds protein has been shown to slow degeneration in cut axons, and its conservation across species suggests general mechanisms for preserving nerve function.
Researchers found that synapses act as fine-tuned filters, amplifying meaningful patterns and eliminating stray noise. Synaptic transmission is highly temperature-dependent, and the two types of synapses work together to identify patterns carrying relevant information.
Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a key role for the TOPLESS gene in plant development, enabling them to engineer plants to grow leaves or flowers instead of roots. This breakthrough allows for the manipulation of plant polarity later in embryogenesis, offering opportunities for agricultural improvements.
Natural killer cells rely on receptor tyrosine kinases, such as Tyro3, to acquire their reconnaissance tool kit, allowing them to distinguish friend from foe. The study reveals that environmental signals, transmitted through Gas6 and protein S, trigger the maturation of natural killer cells.
A study by Martyn Goulding and colleagues reveals that the Notch receptor protein determines whether a single progenitor cell produces excitatory or inhibitory neurons. The researchers found that activated Notch promotes excitatory neuron formation, while low levels of Notch lead to inhibitory neuron development.
The Salk Institute research found that humans have neurons selective for gender based on motion cues, which adjust their selectivity on the fly. This mechanism allows humans to adapt quickly to local gait patterns, reflecting inherent differences in shape and movement.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have clarified the response pathway to steroid hormone brassinolide, a key element in plant growth. The study reveals that BES1 is activated in the nucleus after BIN2 inhibition, leading to gene activation and promoting plant growth.
A recent mouse study led by the Salk Institute has discovered that healthy copies of the IL2RG gene used in X-linked severe combined immune deficiency (X-SCID) gene therapy can promote cancer development. One-third of mice treated with the gene developed lymphoma later in life.
The Salk Institute researchers created a cell-free system to study the insertion of nuclear pore complexes into the nuclear membrane. Using advanced imaging tools, they observed the formation of nuclear membranes and pores within an hour.
A new study by Salk researchers reveals a previously unknown connection between the neural pathways responsible for color and fine detail perception and those involved in motion processing. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that sensory information about color is relatively unimportant for detecting moving objects.
Researchers propose a new model of p53 regulation that suggests a novel anticancer strategy using Mdm2 and Mdm4. The study reveals that Mdm4 renders p53 inactive, while Mdm2 mainly controls the stability of p53's structure.
Researchers identified a protein, Smk-1, that regulates longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans without affecting other insulin signaling pathway functions. This finding raises the prospect of medically tweaking this pathway to slow aging and improve quality of life.
Researchers at the Salk Institute identified V1 neurons as crucial for controlling rhythmic movements in the spinal cord, which enables walking. Disabling these neurons slows down the movement, highlighting their importance in locomotion.
Researchers found that chromosome ends elicit a limited DNA damage response when exposed, but not during normal replication. This discovery highlights the importance of telomeres in preserving genome integrity and preventing cancer development.
Scientists at the Salk Institute discovered a key cellular switch that instructs the liver to produce more glucose when blood sugar levels run low. The switch, called TORC2, limits its own activity to prevent excessive glucose production, which is missing in diabetic individuals.
Researchers discovered 17 genes linked to human anxiety disorders, with many enzymes playing a crucial role in their function. This breakthrough study provides new hope for understanding and treating anxiety-related behaviors.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified Wnt3 signaling molecules as crucial for controlling the fate of adult brain stem cells, leading to neuron differentiation. This finding has significant implications for regenerative medicine and our understanding of neurogenesis.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that inhibitory neurons in visual cortex 'talk' with excitatory neurons to keep balance of chemical signals, excluding surrounding neurons. This fine-scale network organization enables the brain to focus attention on specific stimuli rather than all visual inputs.
Researchers analyzed brain activity of rhesus monkeys to infer what they knew, finding novel nerve cells representing correct memory associations that persisted even after incorrect choices. Human memory relies on association, and behavioral performance may be influenced by external factors.
Researchers silenced a normally functioning gene using RNA interference, reducing amyloid plaque formation and cognitive decline in mice. Within a month of treatment, impaired mice recovered memory functions.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a new target for diabetes treatment: the protein TORC2. TORC2 regulates glucose production in liver cells and its activation can improve insulin sensitivity. The discovery holds promise for developing more effective diabetes medications.
Researchers at Salk Institute and Harvard Medical School found that anthrax toxin entry occurs under two different pH conditions, depending on the receptor type. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective drugs targeting a single pathway.
Researchers at Salk Institute demonstrate that telomere length does not dictate aging and lifespan, contradicting previous assumptions. They found that non-dividing cells, such as nerve cells, play a crucial role in aging, and targeting telomeres alone is insufficient to prevent accelerated aging.
Researchers develop a computer model simulating signal transmission at a synapse in chick embryos, finding that 90% of neurotransmitter release occurs outside of synapses. This discovery opens up new possibilities for cell-to-cell communication in the nervous system and challenges traditional definitions of synapses.
Scientists at Salk Institute created a mouse model to study p53 regulation in vivo, finding that chemical modifications are not essential for protein activation under stress or normal conditions. The research has implications for cancer treatment and the development of specific drugs targeting p53's negative regulators.
Scientists found that mobile genetic elements, known as LINE-1, play a role in brain diversification by introducing new gene expressions and influencing cell function. This process is unique to the brain and leaves other organs unaffected.
Researchers have isolated a new enzyme, Orf2, that can modify a wide range of small aromatic molecules by adding a prenyl group. This modification can significantly impact the molecule's biological properties and could be used to create biologically active compounds for drug development.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered that a specific conformation of the prion protein is the infectious entity behind deadly prion diseases. By altering this shape, researchers may find a strategy to control these untreatable brain-wasting diseases.
A team of researchers has identified an intermediate stage in virus-cell fusion that lasts several minutes, providing a potential window of opportunity for drug development. This discovery may allow existing drugs to be re-evaluated and fine-tuned to target this critical point in the viral entry process.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that opposing chemical signals from neurotransmitters sculpt the developing nervous system by preserving synapses between motor neurons and muscle cells. This process helps eliminate unnecessary sites, allowing for more efficient neural connections.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered a mechanism controlling left-right body plan development in embryos of mice, rabbits and fish. The cilia's clockwise rotation generates a right-to-left current that acts as an amplifier to set up a chemical gradient.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that the retina is the default pathway for eye development in mammals, controlled by two chemical cues. This discovery has important implications for human therapy, as it highlights the need to regulate stem cell development and prevent excessive growth of the retina.
Researchers discovered that retinoic acid, vitamin A, buffers asymmetric cues in early-stage embryonic stem cells, enabling them to develop symmetrically. This finding challenges the conventional understanding of how symmetry is established in the human body.
A genetically engineered mouse with activated PPAR-delta receptor burns fat more rapidly, resulting in improved endurance exercise capabilities. This discovery may lead to new treatments for obesity and related metabolic disorders.