Researchers at the Stowers Institute discovered that Ndc1, a conserved nuclear envelope protein, works with Mps3 to regulate insertion sites into the nuclear membrane. The team found that Mps3 helps shuttle Ndc1 to specific locations in the nucleus, controlling the distribution of critical structures.
Researchers discover that Ataxin-7 anchors a key module in the SAGA complex, which regulates thousands of genes. Without Ataxin-7, this module becomes overactive, leading to misregulation of genes and neurodegeneration in fruit flies.
Researchers used biochemical, structural, and global sequencing techniques to study the H3K4 trimethylation mechanism in a cancer-associated protein complex. They found that the methylase's activity was directed towards specific targets through COMPASS factors that bind to the SET1/MLL front end.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have developed the first genetic model of syngnathia, a rare congenital disorder characterized by fused upper and lower jaws. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the defect, which affects regions such as the head, heart, or gut.
The study found that mutant RBS cells exhibited aberrant ribosome malfunction, leading to upregulation of p53 protein and strong inhibition of mTOR signaling. Supplementing L-leucine partially rescued defects in both human skin cells and zebrafish embryos carrying the mutated ESCO2 gene.
A new study reveals that DNA sequences at the beginning of genes in fruit flies contain complex instructions for RNA polymerases to read and transcribe essential genes. The findings suggest that these instructions play a crucial role in regulating gene expression during early embryonic development.
The study reveals that the protein complex Mll2 is responsible for implementing activating histone marks on 'poised' genes, but its loss has little effect on developmental gene activation during differentiation. This suggests a more complex understanding of histone modification patterns in embryonic and cancer cells.
A new study led by Stowers Institute researchers reveals the Little Elongation Complex (LEC) as a critical component of small nuclear RNA (snRNA) transcription. LEC's unique 'Swiss Army knife' function is required for both initiation and elongation phases of snRNA transcription, shedding light on gene expression and regulation.
A study published in Nature reveals that the alignment of the mitotic spindle is essential for maintaining epithelial integrity. The researchers found that when the spindle becomes misaligned, it can cause cells to delaminate from the epithelium, leading to tumor-like growths and expression of genes associated with invasive human tumors.
A new mechanism, critical for maintaining the balance between active and reserve hematopoietic stem cells, is identified through genomic imprinting. This process prevents premature activation of the reserve pool, ensuring its long-term maintenance.
A new study by Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals that Notch2, a Notch family protein, shapes an eye structure known as the ciliary body by ensuring BMP signals remain loud and clear. The findings provide crucial insights into how excessive pressure is a risk factor for glaucoma.
Researchers studying Nematostella, a simple sea anemone, discovered that cells begin thickening and then thin out as tentacles elongate. This process drives the formation of basic epithelial appendages, revealing fundamental principles in animal body construction.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have made a groundbreaking discovery about a protein called Matrimony (Mtrm), which traps and inactivates the powerful Polo kinase. This finding has significant implications for cancer treatment, as Polo kinase is widely considered to be misregulated in many types of cancer.
Researchers identify new gene associated with Hirschprung Disease and demonstrate how deficiencies in two candidate genes synergize to halt gut nervous system formation. Understanding this genetic basis may lead to better diagnostics and treatment for the condition.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research have made crucial discoveries about the development of cell polarity. They found that diffusion traps, created by sticky regions on the membrane, play a crucial role in maintaining cell polarity.
Researchers found that stem cell protein Ell3 marks enhancers that regulate gene expression, priming them for future activation. This discovery has significant implications for understanding cancer and development.
A new paper in Cell Reports found that paused RNA polymerase plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression during embryonic development. The study revealed that the paused state is regulated over time rather than by tissue type, and that proteins called Polycomb group help keep it in check.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified a new way in which the chromatin-remodeling enzyme ALC1 is activated. Through biochemical experiments, they found that ALC1's shape shifts in the presence of its activators PARP1 and NAD+, making it accessible to regulate gene transcription and DNA repair.
Stowers Institute researchers unveil role of MLL3 and MLL4 genes, frequently mutated in certain cancers. The study sheds light on the misregulated mechanism governing histone interactions, which may play a crucial role in cancer pathogenesis.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered that planarian stem cells, known as neoblasts, can mobilize and rebuild tissues lost to amputation. The team found that these stem cells remain pluripotent even in fully mature animals and migrate to the site of injury when needed.
A genetic screen of roundworms identified two proteins required for the expansion of lipid droplets, which are associated with obesity and health hazards. The study reveals an anatomical link between these proteins and suggests that they act synergistically to allow cells to store more fat and expand lipid droplet size.
A study reveals that repressor proteins like Set2 recruit de-acetylases and chromatin remodelers Isw1 to block histone exchange and prevent erroneous transcription. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining accurate gene expression, which is often disrupted in diseases such as cancer.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveal that histone exchange occurs over a large proportion of genes, controlling gene expression. They also find that the Set2 protein plays a complex role in regulating transcription, preventing cryptic RNA transcripts and maintaining chromosomal stability.
Researchers found two new potassium channels, SK3 and GIRK, that activate the vomeronasal organ's pheromone detection, overriding previous theories on sensory neuron function. The discovery provides clues to innate behaviors in humans and challenges existing knowledge on the VNO's role.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research have developed a novel approach to count fluorescent molecules in a cluster, resolving the long-standing debate on centromere structure. By applying this method to yeast cells, they found that centromeric nucleosomes change their structure during cell division.
Researchers have identified a molecular cue that maintains a quiescent pool of blood-forming stem cells in mouse bone marrow by regulating non-canonical Wnt-signaling. The study found that Flamingo and Frizzled 8 play a crucial role in maintaining the balance between long-term maintenance and ongoing tissue maintenance and regeneration.
Researchers discovered that master regulator protein ATF6α brings a plethora of coactivators to gene expression sites, activating downstream genes involved in the ER stress response. The study suggests ways to dampen ER stress signaling molecularly and could reveal new targets for diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington's Diseases.
A study published in Developmental Cell reveals that actin depolymerization, not myosin motor contraction, is the main force behind yeast cell division. The research uses a novel quantitative microscopy model to confirm this finding and sheds light on cytokinesis mechanisms.
Researchers found that Chd1 protein regulates histone occupancy, enabling gene expression. In yeast cells, Chd1's absence impairs nucleosome reassembly and transcription.
Researchers found that Jarid2, a component of the Polycomb repressive complex 2, occasionally activates gene expression in fruit fly embryos. This challenges the traditional view of Polycomb proteins as transcriptional repressors, suggesting a more complex role for PRC2 and its components in development and cancer.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research found that the Arp2/3 complex is essential for forming lamellipodia, which are crucial for cell migration. The study used genetic disruption to investigate the function of Arp2/3 in fibroblast cell motility.
Researchers discovered a two-step ritual in which RNA telomerase partners are prepared for interaction, revealing novel pharmaceutical approaches to cancer and diseases of aging. The study sheds light on the complex process of telomerase biogenesis and its connection to seemingly unrelated diseases.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research presented a new model of olfaction, suggesting that the brain maps odors in a tunotopic manner. This approach enables the system to recognize and encode any smell, regardless of its chemical structure.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute have discovered a new mechanism controlling cell polarity in yeast. An enzyme called flippase flips phospholipids to create a polarized membrane, with all molecules involved found in both yeast and mammalian cells. This discovery opens up avenues for studying human diseases.
Researchers found that stressful conditions increase chromosomal instability in yeast, allowing cells to rapidly adapt and acquire diverse aneuploid chromosome numbers. This stress-induced genetic variation enables yeast cells to thrive in environments with harsh conditions.
Scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research found that oligomers of a synapse protein are essential for forming long-term memory. The discovery supports a new theory about memory and may have implications for understanding diseases such as Alzheimer's and prion diseases.
Researchers discovered that planarians lack centrosomes and yet retain regenerative powers. By studying planarian homologs, the team identified conserved proteins required for centriole assembly in human cells, suggesting alternative functions for centrosomes.
Stowers researchers find that each class of genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II has a specific class of elongation factors, controlling which genes are transcriptionally regulated. This discovery adds a new dimension to transcriptional elongation control and has significant implications for understanding gene expression.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research confirm the molecular mechanics of a key regulatory complex implicated in human leukemia are conserved from yeast to humans. They also identify the common molecular shape at the center of the complex, which regulates gene expression through histone methylation.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered that aging yeast cells retain protein aggregates in mother cells during cell division, preventing them from passing on to daughters. This process is facilitated by the limited mobility of protein aggregates and the narrow opening of the bud neck.
Stowers researchers used baker's yeast to study chromosome separation and found that Mps3 ensures accurate spindle pole body duplication, which is crucial for cell division. They also discovered a novel mutant with defects in nuclear membrane structure and function.
Chromosomes use centromeres to initiate synapsis, a process that ensures proper matching of chromosomes during meiosis. This discovery sheds light on a critical step in the complex process of meiosis, which is essential for genetic diversity and reproduction.
Researchers successfully expanded hematopoietic stem cells a hundredfold by understanding the molecular mechanisms of self-renewal. The study reveals that proliferation, suppression of differentiation and programmed cell death are required for self-renewal.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered that oocytes rely on an intracellular flow to push the meiotic spindle into place, setting the stage for asymmetric cell division. This finding may lead to improvements in selecting promising oocytes for in-vitro fertilization.
Researchers studied flatworms to understand how they regenerate their excretory systems from scratch, providing clues about the evolutionary origin of mammalian kidneys. They found that flatworm protonephridia, a complex epithelial organ, shares structural similarities with mammalian nephrons.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered the role of Super Elongation Complex (SEC) in controlling gene expression during early development. They found that SEC facilitates coordinated and rapid induction of genes, including Hox genes, which are essential for embryonic development.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered SAGA's importance in fruit fly development, targeting different genes by interactions with transcription factors. SAGA regulates transcription elongation and is associated with paused polymerase II on developmentally regulated genes.
Researchers have discovered that MED26 acts as a go-between linking transcriptional complexes, recruiting elongation factors to DNA to jump-start stalled polymerase. This discovery sheds light on the regulation of gene expression and suggests new strategies for regulating gene expression in healthy and diseased cells.
Researchers propose a model of adult stem cell regulation that explains how coexistence of quiescent and active stem cell populations supports tissue renewal and regeneration. The new model suggests separate functional roles for both sub-populations, which may also contribute to cancer drug resistance.
The Gerton Lab has determined the composition of centromeric chromatin in yeast cells, revealing an octameric structure composed of Cse4-containing nucleosomes. This discovery sheds light on mechanisms of centromere propagation and chromosome transmission, which are crucial for maintaining human health.