Researchers discovered a distinctive pattern in DNA polymerase genes from China's Napahai plateau wetland, suggesting the unique geography and environmental conditions of the wetland contribute to the genetic diversity of microbial communities. This finding raises the possibility that DNA polymerase genes could serve as biogeographical...
Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo and Kyoto University created hierarchical DNA networks using DNA polymerase and kinesin nanomachines. The study demonstrates the importance of active molecular motion in network formation, a step toward materials that assemble and organize themselves like living systems.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered a molecule that helps more mitochondria function properly, improving energy production in cells from patients with POLG mutations. This breakthrough paves the way for a new treatment strategy and may have broader therapeutic use for other mitochondrial diseases.
A new study found that combining histone deacetylase inhibitors, poly (ADP ribose) polymerase inhibitors, and decitabine resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity in all cell lines tested. This combination impaired DNA repair pathways and altered epigenetic regulation of gene expression.
Researchers at IOCB Prague have developed a novel method for preparing ribonucleic acid (RNA) containing modified bases using engineered DNA polymerases. This opens the door to applications in chemical biology and therapeutic applications, including mRNA drugs.
Researchers identified 10 new types of DNA polymerase involved in mitochondrial DNA maintenance, including rdxPolA, which is a direct descendant of the α-proteobacterial symbiont that gave rise to the first mitochondrion. The study provides critical insights into the early evolution of mitochondrial DNA maintenance machinery.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have pieced together the lesser-known DNA repair pathway, polymerase theta-mediated end joining (TMEJ), which is upregulated in patients with hereditary breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer. The discovery could lead to new therapies for cancer by targeting this pathway.
Researchers identified key factors in DNA repair, revealing the 'proofreading' portion of polymerase epsilon helps prevent strand breakage. This knowledge arms scientists with ways to enhance anti-cancer drug effectiveness and develop new diagnostic methods.
A new process developed by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters greatly reduces bias in gene amplification, enabling high-coverage genome sequencing from single bacterial cells. The improved method uses an engineered phi29 DNA polymerase that is more efficient and robust than traditional versions.
Researchers have developed a sustainable and scalable method to produce therapeutic oligonucleotides, which have the potential to treat various diseases. The new approach uses polymerases to amplify a catalytic DNA template in a single step, addressing challenges associated with current methods.
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.
Scientists discovered a new type of DNA repair mechanism that cancer cells use to recover from next-generation cancer radiation therapy. DNA polymerase θ (POLQ) is an important factor in repairing complex DNA double-strand breaks, and inhibiting POLQ may augment the efficacy of heavy ion radiation therapy.
Researchers estimate transcription error rates in human cells and identify genetic and epigenetic factors responsible for inaccuracies. Inaccurate transcription produces truncated or altered proteins, leading to disease.
Researchers at Nagoya University have identified new agents involved in DNA damage tolerance pathways, including RFWD3, which may contribute to anticancer treatment. The study's findings suggest that inhibiting these pathways could sensitize cancer cells to conventional chemotherapeutic agents.
Researchers have discovered the genetic basis of natural resistance in cassava to mosaic disease, which is transmitted by whiteflies and causes significant yield losses. The gene, known as CMD2, is a DNA polymerase that corrects errors during replication, making it essential for the virus's survival.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that blocking the enzyme polymerase reduces the virus's ability to multiply. This discovery exposes an Achilles' heel that could be targeted with a therapeutic. Polymerase is a key tool for DNA replication and repair, making the virus vulnerable to disruption.
A study by Rice University bioscientists has revealed the presence of a central metal ion critical to DNA replication and implicated in misincorporation. The research found that three metal ions are involved in the process, with the first supporting nucleotide binding and the second stabilizing the binding of loose nucleotides. This di...
A new protein called NDF has been discovered to enhance gene activation and may be involved in diseases like cancer. Found in all human tissues, NDF works by stimulating RNA polymerase elongation, a key step in gene expression.
Researchers introduce a new theoretical model that explains how DNA supercoiling drives collective dynamics of RNA polymerases during transcription. The model considers the number of RNAPs and transcription factor binding, revealing two contrasting modes of RNAP group dynamics.
Researchers found that DNA polymerases derived from E. coli are more prone to errors under microgravity, increasing the mutation rate and potentially leading to cancer. The study's results highlight the importance of designing rotating spaceships with artificial gravity to prevent negative effects on astronauts' health.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021
Cryo-EM study reveals details of DNA repair mechanism translesion synthesis (TLS), allowing cells to survive with mutations. Key protein complex Pol K - PCNA interaction modulated by ubiquitination facilitates recruitment of TLS polymerase to damage sites.
GIST scientists utilized latest advances in single molecule detection to observe the enzymatic activity of gene repair. The study revealed that ExoIII has an affinity for damaged DNA sites, creating a gap that Pol I fills. Understanding this mechanism may lead to technologies for targeted gene repair and drug development.
Yang Gao's lab has received a $1.9 million NIH grant to investigate the mechanisms of proteins that produce copies of genomic DNA, with potential implications for cancer treatment. The research aims to understand how DNA replication and repair processes can be targeted to develop new therapies.
Thomas Jefferson University researchers identified a highly efficient human reverse transcriptase, polymerase theta, which can convert RNA sequences back into DNA. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that polymerases only work in one direction and has implications for various fields of biology.
CSU researchers have observed early RNA transcription dynamics by recording where, when, and how RNA polymerase enzymes kick off transcription. The breakthrough technology has far-reaching potential, including sharpening understanding of basic biological processes and unveiling genetic underpinnings of certain diseases.
Scientists have isolated a genetic clue in the form of an RNA polymerase enzyme that offers new insights into the origins of life. The discovery provides evidence for the RNA World Hypothesis, suggesting that self-replicating RNA molecules were capable of driving chemical reactions essential for life.
Researchers have solved a long-standing mystery of how living organisms distinguish RNA and DNA building blocks during gene expression. The discovery enables the design of more effective antiviral drugs targeting viral RNA polymerases.
Cryo-electron microscopy study reveals how an enzyme synthesizes ribosomal RNA at different speeds depending on the bacteria's growth rate, providing insights into the regulation of this process and its importance in E. coli cells.
A new approach to studying DNA packaging allows scientists to study individual cells and uncover the underlying mechanisms of chromatin folding. The technique reveals that Drosophila fly cells have structured domains similar to those found in mammalian cells, but with more ordered structures.
New research reveals that Rho protein 'hitchhikes' on RNA polymerase for the duration of transcription, cooperating with other proteins to eventually coax the enzyme through structural changes. This process refutes traditional understanding of how Rho stops gene expression.
Scientists have unraveled the structure and mechanism of DNA polymerase ζ, an enzyme that replicates through daily DNA-damaging events. This discovery offers valuable insights into developing effective inhibitors to make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.
Researchers have developed a novel method to quantify deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTP) concentrations in small tissue samples, which is useful for studying mitochondrial diseases and cancer. The technique uses DNA polymerase and fluorescent dye, allowing for accurate measurement even in samples with low dNTP concentration.
Max Planck researchers have successfully developed a self-replicating genome, enabling the regeneration of proteins and DNA. The artificial system, assembled from modular DNA pieces, can produce its own translation factors and maintain chemical systems.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a theoretical model explaining how RNA polymerase enzymes trigger bursts of RNA production in cells. The model suggests that DNA supercoils, like springs, are involved in the process, with RNA polymerases compressing and releasing tension to regulate protein production.
Scientists at the University of Exeter's Living Systems Institute have discovered a fresh understanding of how genes are copied, shedding light on the transcription process. The study suggests that two long-debated models work together to terminate gene expression, providing a more accurate explanation for this complex process.
Researchers discovered enzymes can efficiently conduct electricity under proper conditions, enabling new innovations in medical diagnostics and DNA sequencing. The study's findings could lead to the development of biological parallel processors and revolutionize the field of nanotechnology.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have discovered the near-atomic-resolution structure of DNA polymerase delta, a crucial enzyme in genome replication. The team also mapped mutations associated with cancers and other diseases.
A study from IRB Barcelona describes the reaction mechanism of DNAzymes, which catalyse RNA ligation through a similar mechanism to natural enzymes. The discovery may lead to improvements in current catalysers and the design of novel biocatalysers formed by DNA.
Scientists discovered a giant virus, Medusavirus, that turns amoebas into stone-like cysts and harbors ancient proteins crucial to eukaryotic life. This finding suggests a possible relationship between the virus and the emergence of complex life.
A protein complex, Ccr4-Not, has been shown to recruit factors that mark RNAPII with ubiquitin, triggering its degradation and clearing the jam. This process is essential for normal cell function and preventing diseases associated with DNA damage.
A new study led by Grant Brown suggests that at times of stress, DNA replication errors are far more frequent than previously appreciated. This could lead to increased mutations in human cells, potentially contributing to cancer and other diseases.
Scientists at the University of Konstanz have gained detailed structural insights into DNA polymerases interacting with modified substrates. This knowledge can be used to advance genome sequencing and other areas of molecular biology-based diagnostics.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine describe how RNA polymerase I stalls by DNA lesions caused by UV exposure. The study identifies a key amino acid essential to detecting UV damage, offering potential for novel cancer therapeutic targets.
Jeff Gelles to receive 2019 BPS Kazuhito Kinosita Award in Single-Molecule Biophysics, recognizing his exceptional contributions to single-molecule studies and cross-disciplinary research. The award aims to promote further developments in the field, advancing an appreciation of single-molecule biophysics among scientists.
Researchers used single-molecule magnetic tweezers to study FACT's function in gene transcription. They found that FACT not only destabilizes nucleosome structure but also enhances reversibility of nucleosome formation, revealing its dual role.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago discovered that persistent binding of the Cas9 protein to DNA causes CRISPR failure. To improve efficiency, they found that consistent strand selection forces RNA polymerases to collide with Cas9, knocking it off DNA.
Scientists at UC Berkeley developed a new DNA synthesis method that uses a natural human enzyme to print long DNA strands in water. The technique offers improved precision and potential for faster research and development of new medicines.
A team of scientists discovered a key factor that unravels nucleosomes, allowing genes to activate. This finding provides new insights into the regulation of genes and has implications for understanding human diseases such as cancer.
Researchers have determined the molecular target and mechanism of action of fidaxomicin, a front-line antibiotic for treating Clostridium difficile infections. The study reveals that fidaxomicin inhibits bacterial RNA polymerase through a unique binding site and mechanism, allowing it to target resistant strains.
A team of researchers has made a breakthrough in understanding how transcription is terminated, revealing key components and mechanisms involved. The study used gene editing approaches to identify the molecular torpedo that stops RNA polymerase, shedding new light on this fundamental biological process.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered how the most common DNA mutation happens, a phenomenon that allows guanine and thymine bases to change shape and avoid detection by enzymes. This finding provides a foundation for understanding other types of DNA mutations, which are responsible for diseases and normal aging.
Researchers found a transient, shape-shifting mechanism in DNA that influences the frequency of spontaneous mutations, which can drive evolution and diseases like cancer. The study reveals that specific DNA sequences affect the rates of these errors.
Researchers used magnetic tweezers to monitor RNA polymerase enzymes during replication, revealing a new class of antivirals that pause and backtrack the virus' machinery. This understanding can help fine-tune drug design and accelerate approval.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a method for creating modified DNA-based hydrogels with unique properties. These hydrogels can be dissolved, reformed, and retain their biochemical activity, making them suitable for various applications such as drug delivery and cell growth.
Researchers watched individual DNA strands replicate and found that polymerases on the leading and lagging strands are completely autonomous, with no coordination. The study reveals a new stochastic view of DNA replication, challenging conventional wisdom and providing insights into this essential biological process.
Recent research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals that polymerase pauses prevent other machines from immediately following, thereby controlling the flow of genetic information. Paused polymerases keep new polymerases from initiating transcription, maintaining a controlled pace during gene expression.
Researchers have determined the atomic structure of African swine fever virus enzyme AsfvPolX, revealing a unique binding pocket and high error rate. This could lead to the development of targeted treatments by blocking the binding pocket with drugs.
A recent study by Caltech and Vanderbilt University researchers found that electrons play a crucial role in DNA replication, allowing the cell to quickly locate and repair mutations. The discovery reveals a new pathway for cells to regulate DNA replication, which is essential for maintaining genome stability.
Adaptive PCR, a new method developed by Vanderbilt University biomedical engineers, uses left-handed DNA to monitor and control PCR reactions. This approach promises to simplify PCR operation, improve reliability, reduce sensitivity to environmental conditions, and enable handheld size.
A recent study by Robert A. Martienssen's team reveals that RNA interference (RNAi) is essential for quiescent cells to maintain their state, preventing the accumulation of heterochromatin and promoting cell survival.