Articles tagged with Histones
A new study reveals that unstructured proteins can break down tightly packed genes by forming a three-way complex with histones and DNA. This finding challenges the long-standing view of protein function and has significant implications for our understanding of biology and disease.
Researchers found that defibrotide suppresses neutrophil release of NETs and reduces downstream blood-clotting in mice with antiphospholipid syndrome. The treatment neutralizes toxic histones, preventing activation of blood vessel cells.
Linker histones play a crucial role in controlling the number of chromatin loops and ultimately the shape of chromosomes. By regulating loop formation, linker histones allow cells to fine-tune chromosome size for optimal growth and reproduction.
Researchers from USC Stem Cell discovered a latent regenerative potential in the inner ear's sensory cells. They found that epigenetic modifications regulate hair cell development and identified a key histone decoration, H3K4me1, that keeps supporting cells primed for transdifferentiation.
The new technique uses engineered yeast cells to produce enzyme and histone proteins, conduct biochemical assays internally, and then display the results. This approach significantly reduces the time required for examining a single enzyme/histone pairing from a week to just a couple of days.
Plants can respond to subtle environmental changes on the cellular level, triggering molecular changes in as little as five minutes. The study found that canopy shade leads to the removal of histones at growth-regulating genes through DNA binding of PIF7, activating their expression.
Computational simulations reveal that DNA sequence and histone tail dynamics play crucial roles in nucleosome breathing. The study provides unprecedented insights into gene expression mechanisms and may contribute to understanding diseases and optimizing therapeutical cell type conversions.
Computer simulations reveal that DNA sequence and histone tails play crucial roles in nucleosome breathing, a motion essential for gene expression regulation. The findings provide unprecedented insights into the mechanisms that control chromatin dynamics.
Researchers discovered that protein DNAJC9 actively engages cellular protein folding machinery to release trapped histones. This process is crucial for proper chromatin organization and is essential for cancer cell viability.
Researchers developed a technique that can examine how different versions of histones bind to DNA in tens of thousands of individual cells simultaneously. This allows for the study of epigenetics at a single-cell level in complex tissues like the brain.
A study published in Nature Genetics found that a specific histone modification, H2AK119ub1, acts as a marker for inherited DNA functional modifications from the mother. The researchers discovered that without this modification, fertilized embryos can experience miscarriages and enlarged placentas.
A new study at McGill University identifies a non-DNA based means by which sperm remember a father's environment and transmit that information to the embryo, affecting gene expression and leading to birth defects. The discovery opens new avenues for studying disease transmission and prevention.
The study reveals that mutations in histones can disrupt nucleosome remodeling, contributing to the development or progression of various human cancers. Researchers identified key sites and mutations affecting chromatin structure and stability, which may play a role in cancer progression.
Researchers have developed a new genome editing tool that targets histone proteins in the nucleus, regulating DNA expression. The programmable CRISPR/Cas9-based kinase offers insights into controlling regulatory histone proteins and has potential applications in treating cancer and other diseases.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology create kinetic model to study site-specific histone modifications and their impact on chromatin accessibility. The model shows that acetylation increases chromatin accessibility threefold, highlighting the potential for accurate quantification of epigenetic effects.
Exposure to glyphosate creates biomarkers predicting prostate and kidney diseases, obesity, and multiple diseases in subsequent generations. In a study of 50 rats each, 90% of third- and fourth-generation rats developed health problems by middle age.
A research team from Cologne has discovered a mechanism that restores cell function after genome damage by altering the DNA structure. The discovery involves a double occupation of two methyl groups on the histone protein H3K4me2, which enables genes to be reactivated and proteins to be produced after damage.
Researchers discovered a mechanism where histone variant H3.3 is replenished to silence transposons in pluripotent stem cells, potentially linked to cancer tumorigenesis
Researchers from UNICAMP found that valproic acid can modify DNA conformation and interact with chromosome proteins. The compound causes changes in the conformation of histones H1 and H3, as well as DNA superstructure and molecular order. This discovery paves the way for novel pharmaceutical research.
Researchers identified a new function for histones, enabling the transfer of electrons from one molecule to another, converting copper into a usable form for cells. This discovery refutes earlier theories and suggests histones played a crucial role in the evolution of eukaryotes, including humans, around 2 billion years ago.
Histones may have evolved to adapt to oxygenated environments by reducing toxic copper, a crucial element for biological processes. The study reveals a new function of the histone H3-H4 tetramer as an oxidoreductase enzyme, making harmful copper oxidation state safe for use inside cells.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba identified a novel protein complex, NWC, involved in regulating Aurora B localization to ensure correct chromosome separation. The study found that NWC functions in mitotic chromosome stability by allowing Aurora B to accumulate at centromeres.
Researchers in Brian Strahl's lab reveal that different chemical modifications of a single amino acid residue on histones can have unique and shared functions in gene expression and DNA repair. They found that specific methylation states on histones regulate diverse chromatin functions, including responding to stress conditions.
Researchers found a phenomenon called 'epigenetic resetting' in plant sperm that erases histone modifications, allowing seeds to forget their environment. This mechanism is similar to data erasure on hard drives and is essential for plants to adapt to changing conditions.
A team of scientists discovered that plants reset their epigenetic memory by removing the H3K27me3 histone mark from sperm, allowing seeds to remember only their mother's environment. This process is crucial for seed development and ensures proper flowering times.
A recent study has found a correlation between paternal age and the development of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The research, published in PLOS ONE, suggests that older fathers may pass on epigenetic markers that increase the risk of conditions such as autism and ADHD.
A study by IRB Barcelona's Cell Signaling laboratory found that histone modifications regulate response to cellular stress, including heat and salt stress. The researchers identified over 200 amino acid regions in histones that undergo modifications under stress, allowing for personalized adaptation.
Dopamine plays a critical role in regulating gene expression, particularly in the context of cocaine abuse. Histone dopaminylation affects brain regions involved in motivation and reward behavior.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that physical forces alone can activate genes in human cells, leading to increased gene expression. The researchers discovered that histone proteins play a key role in determining which genes are responsive to stretching forces.
Researchers have unveiled the structure and mechanism of a protein critical to DNA packaging in human cells, which is highly overexpressed in various cancers. The study found that this protein facilitates histone loading by utilizing ATP, offering new insights into developing targeted therapies for cancer treatment.
Researchers have elucidated the mechanisms that mediate the establishment of epigenetic histone modifications following cell division. The team found that methylation patterns influence each other and are associated with specific regions of the genome, known as domains.
Researchers uncover complex mechanisms controlling epigenetic modifications on histones after cell division. The study provides deeper insights into the inheritance of epigenetic marks and has implications for understanding cellular differentiation and tumor development.
Researchers have finally determined the atomic structure of the histone mRNA three-prime end-processing machine, a complex assembly of molecules that plays a fundamental role in proper cell activity and DNA duplication. This breakthrough provides valuable insights into how this machine is activated and regulates gene expression.
Researchers found that linker histone H1 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation in the nucleus, forming droplets with densely packed DNA and enriching with protein HP1α. This process segregates heterochromatin from euchromatin, revealing a new function of histones in gene regulation.
Researchers have uncovered how histone chaperones use chemical energy to assemble chromatin, a critical process in gene expression regulation. The discovery sheds light on the misregulation of chromatin structures and their role in developmental disorders and cancers.
The study found that H2A.Z promotes H4K20me2 deposition, recruiting ORC1 to license and activate early DNA replication origins. H2A.Z-regulated origins have higher firing efficiency and earlier replication timing compared to other origins.
Researchers at Penn Medicine identify specific genetic locations of retained histones in sperm DNA, which can affect embryonic development. A new mouse model with a mutated Gcn5 gene allows for closer tracking of defective sperm and potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers at Kobe University discovered that histone modification H3K27me3 plays a vital role in regulating gene expression in Chinese cabbage, particularly in vernalization. The study found that H3K27me3 modifies gene expression during plant tissue development and represses gene activity.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of antitumor response of Natural Killer (NK) cells in myeloma, utilizing histones. Histones bind to CD138 receptors on myeloma cells, promoting tumor cell aggregation and enhancing the recruitment of T lymphocytes, thereby increasing antitumor activity.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine and Stanford University found that crotonyl marks on histones help cells adapt to low-nutrient conditions by repressing growth genes. This mechanism may be a future target for cancer therapy, as proteins similar to the identified yeast protein are often disrupted in cancers.
New study confirms that mechanisms preserving cell identity are based on how DNA is packaged, with histone modifications playing a key role. Chemical changes to histones determine whether chromatin regions are open or compacted, influencing gene expression and cell behavior.
Researchers found that acetate from alcohol metabolism alters proteins that regulate DNA function in the brain, affecting gene expression and behavior. This discovery provides a new understanding of the biology behind cravings and offers potential targets for treating alcohol abuse and fetal alcohol syndrome.
A recent study found that acetate, a byproduct of alcohol metabolism, affects the brain's memory system and contributes to cravings. The research team discovered that alcohol metabolism impacts histone acetylation in the hippocampus, leading to increased gene expression and memory formation.
Researchers identified a novel histone mark, lysine glutarylation (Kglu) at histone H4, which is abundant in promoter regions of active genes. This mark facilitates the formation of open chromatin structure, leading to gene expression activation.
Researchers have discovered a novel epigenetic regulation mechanism that improves DNA damage response in plants, enabling them to withstand environmental stresses. The study reveals the role of histone demethylase LDL1 in suppressing RAD54's interaction with chromatin at damaged sites.
Researchers discover that moderate chromatin stress triggers a response that promotes longevity in various organisms, including yeast and C. elegans. The study suggests that this process may be conserved in other organisms, opening new possibilities for intervening in human aging.
Researchers found curcumin has potential to prevent or treat stomach cancer by inhibiting histone modifications. Compounds like cholecalciferol, resveratrol and quercetin also show promise in modulating histone activity.
Researchers have demonstrated that epigenetic information carried by parental sperm chromosomes can cause changes in gene expression and development in the offspring. Epigenetic changes involve chemical modifications to either the DNA itself or to the histone proteins with which DNA is packaged in the chromosomes.
A study published in Nature Communications found that an inhibitor of ACVR1 slows tumor growth and increases survival in an animal model of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Researchers believe this enzyme mutation cooperates with a histone mutation to initiate tumor development.
Researchers developed a molecular bait to identify proteins involved in the cell's choice of DNA repair pathway, revealing key enzymes for homologous recombination. The discovery opens new possibilities for targeted cancer treatments using PARP inhibitors.
Researchers uncovered a crucial quality-control mechanism inside cells that fails when contributing to major diseases including cancers. The discovery found an enzyme called casein kinase II adds molecular tags onto Spt6, a key protein in transcription, preventing inappropriate transcription.
Researchers at The University of Hong Kong developed first-in-class YEATS inhibitors that target a novel therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia treatment. The inhibitors successfully suppressed cancer-promoting gene expression and demonstrated enhanced effects when combined with existing anti-leukemia drugs.
Scientists have unraveled how changes in nutrition determine the development of honeybees into queens or workers. Epigenetic patterns, including histones, play a crucial role in controlling gene expression and developmental outcomes.
Researchers develop technique SCAR-seq to study epigenetic cellular memory transmission and find key protein MCM2. They discovered a controlled process in DNA replication ensuring symmetry between two new DNA strands.
Recent research reveals that lipid droplets regulate proteins involved in gene expression, regulating their maturation, breakdown, and storage. This understanding has significant implications for embryonic development and the study of obesity and lipodystrophies.
Scientists have discovered a new gene expression mechanism involving the Spt6 protein, which helps regulate messenger RNA levels in cells. The discovery suggests a potential target for treating cancers and other diseases, as abnormal RNA levels can lead to diseases such as cancer.
Benjamin A.Garcia, a renowned biochemist at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has been awarded the Biemann Medal for his groundbreaking work in mass spectrometry analysis techniques. His research focuses on detecting proteins and biomarkers to study disease mechanisms and develop targeted therapies.
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a synthetic molecular code that can script gene activation, targeting histones and emulating the natural histone acetylation process. The code, called Bi-PIP, successfully activated a specific gene associated with central nervous system disorders in living cells.
Researchers at Duke University and Zhejiang Wanli University identified a key gene called Kdm6b that affects how genes are expressed in turtles, determining their sex. The study found that cooler egg incubation temperatures activate the Kdm6b gene, leading to testes development and producing males.
A study by Stanford University School of Medicine investigators found that older people's immune cells receive a fuzzier set of instructions, leading to reduced effectiveness. The researchers analyzed hundreds of millions of immune cells using a new method to determine the impact of environmental factors on aging and disease.