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St. Jude revealed functional targets of oncogenic HOXA9 in high-risk pediatric leukemia

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified genes directly regulated by the oncogenic HOXA9 protein in high-risk pediatric leukemias. The study found two major targets, FLT3 and CDK6, which can be therapeutically targeted with drugs, showing promising outcomes in preclinical models. Additionally, researchers discover...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 28, 2023

No IKAROS, no antibodies

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Massachusetts General Hospital mapped the genome to understand how IKAROS controls healthy B cell development. They found that IKAROS solves a big problem in B cell development by bringing together far-away genes through looping, leading to proper expression and antibody production.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Mays Cancer Center: Targeting certain molecular interactions could yield new strategies for treating prostate cancer

Scientists at Mays Cancer Center found that altering androgen receptor multivalent interactions may lead to new treatments for prostate cancer. The study suggests that precise levels of these interactions are crucial for proper hormone-induced gene expression.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2023

Researchers uncover NSMF protein’s role in relieving DNA replication stress

Researchers discovered NSMF protein's role in alleviating DNA replication stress by displacing weakly bound RPA proteins and promoting phosphorylation. This mechanism accelerates relief of replication stress, offering a new direction for treating various diseases, including cancer and age-related conditions.

Mayo Clinic researchers publish key findings about cell proteins to determine effectiveness of immunotherapy for colon cancer

Mayo Clinic researchers found that cells expressing PD-1 and PD-L1 within a certain distance of each other can predict the success of immunotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. This spatial analysis may help select patients most likely to benefit from treatment, improving outcomes and minimizing unnecessary treatments.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateAug 31, 2023

New way of identifying proteins supports drug development

Researchers have developed a new way to identify proteins based on their amino acid content, which can predict protein function and facilitate the development of new biological drugs. The method shows promise in cancer research, where it can help design more targeted treatments by linking survivin and PRC2 proteins.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournaliScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 14, 2023

How cells select DNA damage repair pathways

Researchers discovered that MSH2-MSH3 plays a crucial role in selecting the right DNA repair process by interacting with other proteins during DSB repair. This interaction facilitates error-free homologous recombination and blocks error-prone polymerase theta-mediated end-joining.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2023

Blind dating in bacteria evolution

Researchers used ancestral sequence reconstruction to study protein interactions in cyanobacteria, finding that they can evolve independently of direct selection pressure. The discovery challenges classical evolutionary theory and suggests that fortuitous compatibility may be the basis for a significant fraction of cellular interactions.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateApr 6, 2023

CNIO researchers help to understand the functioning of the protein that makes DNA loops in the human genome

Researchers at the CNIO have elucidated a key point about how cohesin attaches to DNA and forms loops. The study suggests that NIPBL is not necessary for cohesin to bind to DNA, but only for it to move and form DNA loops. This finding may be important in understanding Cornelia de Lange syndrome.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

Fishing for proteins: Scientists use new optical tweezer technology to study DNA repair

Researchers used C-trap technology to investigate how different DNA repair proteins identify and bind to their respective forms of damage. They found that some proteins arrived at the damage site together and departed together, while others showed surprising variability in their association and dissociation patterns. The study provides...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2023

New zinc finger model shows promise for gene therapy

Researchers developed a novel technology to engineer proteins targeting specific DNA sequences, offering a new approach to gene therapies. The system generates engineered zinc fingers that bind to any given sequence of DNA, potentially treating diseases caused by genetic mutations.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

Nerve cell discovery may lead to better treatment for diseases of the nervous system

Scientists at King's College London and the University of Bath have made a groundbreaking discovery about a molecule that plays a crucial role in nerve cell development. The study found that this molecule, known as SNRNP70, is not only present in the nucleus but also in the cytoplasm of nerve cells, where it shapes messenger RNA strand...

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2022

Researchers reveal largest catalogue of gene activators

A team of researchers has identified over 250 gene activators in human cells, expanding our understanding of transcriptional regulation and its role in cancer. The study also reveals new insights into how proteins interact with each other to regulate gene expression, potentially leading to the development of targeted therapies.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2022

Dual action: RNA binding protein also binds DNA and acts as a damage sensor across the genome

Researchers at MUSC have discovered that hnRNP E1, a tumor suppressor protein, not only binds RNA but also DNA to maintain genome integrity and sense or prevent DNA damage. The protein's binding is sequence- and structure-specific, suggesting its potential role in preventing cancer metastasis.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalLife Science Alliance·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2021

Proteins use a lock and key system to bind to DNA

Researchers discovered that proteins use the DNA's three-dimensional structure as a type of keyhole to select specific binding sites, rather than just patterns in the genome's code. Over 80% of proteins bind to a specific shape pattern in the genome, which helps explain how they avoid confusing different sequences.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell Systems·DateJan 16, 2019

Breaking the protein-DNA bond

A Northwestern University study found that free-floating proteins can break up protein-DNA bonds at a single-binding site, disrupting gene expression. This discovery challenges previous beliefs about the stability of protein-DNA interactions and has implications for understanding biological processes in living cells.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2017

Evolution is driven by gene regulation

Yale researchers found that gene regulation plays a crucial role in shaping differences between species. By mapping DNA binding sites and analyzing regulatory regions, they discovered functional differences in yeast species, shedding light on the balance between gene content and regulation.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateAug 9, 2007

New molecular 'dowsing' technique could more quickly and precisely lead researchers to key drug targets

A new molecular engineering technique, inspired by centuries-old concept of principal axes of inertia, can help researchers identify functional regions on proteins crucial for drug delivery. This method may aid in developing molecular-modeling software to streamline the search process.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2000

Hurdle In Ulcer Vaccine Development Cleared

Researchers have isolated a bacterial protein that allows Helicobacter pylori to attach to the gastric lining, a key step in developing a vaccine against peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. The discovery of BabA protein, found on the surface of H. pylori, could lead to an effective, cheap vaccine that boosts immunity after every exposure.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateJan 15, 1998