Articles tagged with Histones
A Iowa State University researcher has figured out a mechanism involved in marking where DNA instructions are located in cells. The Gcn5 protein plays a crucial role in recognizing chemically modified histones, facilitating efficient gene reading and shedding light on diseases like cancer.
Researchers at Ohio State University validated a method to measure variations in histones, promising biomarkers for chronic leukemia diagnosis and treatment response. The study accurately detected differences in histone composition between CLL cells and healthy B lymphocytes.
Researchers at Emory University discover a process required for epigenetic reprogramming between generations, shedding light on fertilization, stem-cell formation, and cloning. The study found that histone protein modification can be inherited through cell-to-cell transmission.
A CSHL-led team has identified a critical role for the protein EYA in setting the machinery for DNA repair, allowing cells to either fix broken DNA or die. The discovery sheds light on how cells make decisions when faced with catastrophic DNA damage.
A study found that periodontal disease caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis can reactivate latent HIV-1 in infected individuals. The bacteria induce histone acetylation, leading to HIV-1 reactivation. Maintaining oral hygiene is crucial for preventing AIDS progression.
Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have found that linker histone H1 is necessary for holding together pericentric heterochromatin, a region close to the center of chromosomes. H1 also regulates the expression of genes within this region. The study uses fruit fly larvae to examine H1's role in gene regulation.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine identified a gene that causes obesity when mutated, affecting metabolism without impacting appetite. The study's findings provide new insights into epigenetics and open possibilities for novel pharmacologic approaches to treating obesity.
The study reveals that protein phosphatase PP1 is necessary for normal DNA methylation, removing phosphates attached to histone H3. The research provides novel insights into an intricate regulatory network involving histone phosphorylation and DNA methylation.
The Stowers Institute's Workman Lab has made a groundbreaking discovery of a novel histone demethylase protein complex, which plays a crucial role in regulating transcription elongation. The research reveals that this protein complex associates with the heterochromatin protein 1a and stimulates its histone demethylation activity.
Researchers have discovered how a macromolecular machine unwinds DNA within cells, allowing genetic information to be read and used to direct protein synthesis. The structure of the RSC chromatin remodeling complex provides important insights into this critical process.
Dinoflagellates have evolved a unique way to pack their genetic material into compact chromosomes without using histones. This discovery raises questions about the evolution of chromosomes and whether dinoflagellates once had histones but lost them. The study provides new insights into the biochemical basis of chromosome formation.
Two new studies found a connection between the circadian clock and metabolism through the protein SIRT1, which regulates energy levels throughout the day. The findings suggest that drugs targeting SIRT1 could help treat circadian sleep disturbances.
Researchers identified 39 histone modifications and a core set of 17 associated with active genes. These combinations, known as 'backbone sets,' were found to be present in more than a quarter of promoter regions, suggesting specific meanings for specific patterns of modification.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that the association between Nanog and Oct4 proteins with transcription repression complexes determines embryonic stem cell fate. The complex, called NODE, contains histone deacetylases that control gene expression.
A team of scientists has identified new non-histone targets for a protein methyltransferase enzyme, expanding our understanding of epigenetic regulation in cells. The discovery broadens the view on methyltransferases and indicates that epigenetic gene regulation is more complex than previously thought.
A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory solved a puzzle about how genes are expressed by studying the way DNA is packed in yeast. They found that RNA interference plays a crucial role in transmitting epigenetic information across generations, providing specificity to histone modifications.
The Stowers Institute's Workman Lab has characterized a novel histone acetyltransferase protein complex called ATAC, which plays a crucial role in regulating chromosome functions. The study provides insight into the ATAC complex's functions and its potential link to human diseases such as developmental defects and cancers.
A new mechanism of HTLV-1-induced leukemia involves the reduction of histone protein levels, promoting genomic instability and cell division. This discovery suggests that Tax, a key viral protein, uncouples histone gene expression from cell cycle progression.
Immune cells can detect prostate cancer using a specific receptor on T cells, which recognizes the cancerous tumor. The molecular signpost is histone H4, a protein found in all cells but displayed only on the surface of tumor cells.
Researchers discovered that uridine residues are added to the 3' end of histone mRNAs, decapping and degrading them via the general mRNA decay machinery. This work represents a new mechanism regulating the half-life of specific mammalian mRNA transcripts.
The Stowers Institute's Shilatifard Lab has published findings on the molecular machinery required for translating histone crosstalk between H2B monoubiquitination and H3 methylation. This process is highly conserved from yeast to humans and plays a crucial role in gene expression.
Researchers identify novel TRF2 target promoters, distinguishing between three classes of genes dependent on TBP or TRF2. Depletion of TRF2 leads to reduced ribosomal gene transcription and chromosomal defects.
Researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered a key cell-signaling pathway regulating cell growth and patterning in tadpoles. The study found that modification of histone protein H2A influences normal cell pathways and cell growth.
Changes in gene expression may cause people to develop a tolerance to inhalants by altering the response of fruit flies to future doses through epigenetic modifications. The research lays groundwork for understanding mechanisms of inhalant addiction and developing treatment methods.
Researchers at A*STAR in Singapore discovered that epigenetic modifications influence gene expression in human embryonic stem cells. The study found that genes modified by H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 contain DNA recipes for protein proliferation and are crucial to sensory processes, immunity, and drug metabolism.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute discovered a mechanism where the gene-transcription machinery can be paused by the ubiquitin molecule until a triggering signal is received. This pause allows for quick activation of genes in response to stress or vital needs, such as stem-cell differentiation.
A new study sheds light on how histone and DNA methylation cooperate to silence genes. Mammalian HP1 proteins facilitate this cooperation by stimulating the activity of DNMT1, a DNA methyltransferase.
Researchers at Stowers Institute have identified a cellular factor that can reverse histone trimethylation associated with mixed lineage leukemia. This discovery may lead to the identification of new targets for the treatment of leukemia caused by MLL translocations.
Studies reveal differences in genetic activity between juvenile and adult mouse brains under visual experience, triggering histone modifications. This discovery provides insights into the mechanism of plasticity during the critical period.
Researchers identify JARID1d, an enzyme that removes trimethylation marks from histone H3, allowing genes to be active. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms governing gene control and its importance for health.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have identified micro-ribonucleic acids (micro-RNAs) as potential biomarkers for lupus. The study found significant differences in micro-RNA expression between lupus patients and healthy controls, with certain micro-RNAs linked to histone deacetylases and the development of lupus.
DNMT1 and G9a interact to positively influence each other's catalytic activities and maintain epigenetic marks. The interaction impairs histone H3K9 methylation when DNMT1 is knocked down.
Researchers at UCI found that fat droplets serve as storage depots for excess proteins, regulating their presence in the cell. The study suggests that these droplets could help fight diseases caused by excessive protein production, such as prion diseases.
A Scripps Research Institute team developed compounds that reactivated the frataxin gene in blood cells from 13 Friedreich's ataxia patients, with one compound producing full reactivation in 100% of cells tested. The findings offer a potential therapeutic avenue for the disease, which affects 1 in 20,000 people in the US.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota discover a protein's unexpected role in chopping up damaged DNA molecules, leading to cell death. The finding sheds new light on the process of apoptosis and its potential applications in cancer treatment.
In Drosophila cells, ribosomal proteins are associated with linker histone H1 protein on chromatin. Depletion of both causes up-regulation of target genes.
Researchers have identified a novel protein called JHDM2A that plays a key role in gene activation mediated by the androgen receptor, a protein responding to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. This discovery has implications for prostate cancer treatment, as lowering androgen levels can shrink or slow cancer growth.
Scientists have identified a key player in gene silencing, the protein HDA6, which removes acetyl groups from histones and modifies DNA. This discovery sheds new light on epigenetic mechanisms, potentially leading to breakthroughs in understanding tumor growth, blood disorders, and other diseases.
A novel enzyme, JHDM1A, has been discovered to remove methyl groups from histones, a finding with diverse implications for understanding gene regulation and its role in diseases. The study suggests that many proteins containing a similar domain may also be involved in histone demethylation.
Researchers discovered new histone modifications in mice with a lupus-like condition and found that HDAC inhibitors can reverse them, potentially treating lupus symptoms. The study aims to unravel the mysteries of lupus by exploring epigenetic changes, including histone modifications.
Researchers found that cocaine alters the normal biochemical processes in the brain, allowing genes to be turned on and off. Chronic cocaine use causes long-lasting changes in the brain's circuitry, whereas short-term use affects genes differently.
The meiotic histone code is a complex process that regulates genetic recombination and chromosome segregation during meiosis. This code involves the dynamic changes of histone modifications on chromosomes.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified shared components in histone and poly(A) pre-mRNA processing. These findings highlight the importance of cross-talk between distinct RNA processing pathways, shedding light on cellular regulation and gene expression.
Researchers found that a protein called CPSF73 is necessary for producing mRNA needed to create histone proteins, which combine with DNA to form chromosomes. This discovery provides a unified mechanism for synthesizing all messenger RNAs.
A recent study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology has identified a key protein, Upf1, that regulates histone production during cell division. The research suggests that an imbalance in DNA and histone production is lethal for cells and may be crucial in understanding tumor growth.
A new study by The Wistar Institute reveals that a recently discovered enzyme requires molecular partners to modify histones and repress genes in neurons. The findings may have long-term implications for treating depression and other psychiatric disorders.
Researchers at UNC Health Care have discovered a protein called eed that regulates gene modification in embryonic stem cells. This finding has significant implications for understanding human diseases and developing stem cell therapeutics.
A team of researchers, including a UCR chemist, has discovered a novel site of histone acetylation that regulates gene expression in yeast. The study used mass spectrometry to show that this new site is associated with gene activation by attracting the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex.
Researchers have discovered that the enzyme hDOT1L activates a key set of genes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading to unrestrained growth and a hallmark of the disease. The study suggests that targeting hDOT1L could be a promising approach for treating AML, particularly in cases where patients carry specific genetic mutations.
Dr. Strahl's research focuses on histone modifications, specifically the addition of ubiquitin to histone 2B by Rad6 enzyme. He also explores histone methylation and its regulation through various biochemical pathways.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered a protein called Chd1 that recognizes a flag on histones and attracts other proteins to turn genes on. This finding sheds light on how chemical information carried on histones is recognized and read during gene regulation.
The study found that a protein complex called INO80 plays a crucial role in loosening histone grip on DNA, allowing DNA repair machinery to access damaged areas. The researchers discovered a specific form of histone protein, gamma-H2AX, acts as a code directing DNA repair proteins to breaks.
A Stowers Institute researcher has identified a complex that plays a crucial role in repairing DNA double-strand breaks, a primary cause of cancer. The dTip60 complex increases DNA accessibility for optimal repair and removes the damage-marker phospho-H2A.X/v to signal successful repair.
The discovery of the first histone demethylase reveals a dynamic process of gene regulation via methylation of histones. This finding has significant implications for cancer therapeutics and may open up new avenues for understanding gene activity.
Researchers at UNC Health Care have identified a new mechanism by which Polycomb group proteins silence genes in cancer cells. The study found that ubiquitination of histone H2A is involved in this process, providing insight into gene expression regulation and potential targets for cancer treatment.
Researchers found that suppressing CBP function in adult rodents impaired long-term memory, but administering a histone deacetylase inhibitor corrected this defect. This suggests remodeling of chromatin is essential for learning and memory, and may offer new treatment options for cognitive disorders.
Researchers at Ohio State University have made a breakthrough in understanding how cells package DNA, with implications for cancer research and new therapies. A newly discovered protein, Hif1p, works with an enzyme complex to add histone proteins to DNA, forming chromatin.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a key gene that regulates flowering in biennials, such as carrots and cabbage. The discovery could lead to new methods for manipulating crop productivity and understanding how organisms control cell fates during development.
A new study by researchers at The Wistar Institute shows that gene activation is a highly dynamic process requiring specific molecular modifications, including the addition and removal of ubiquitin. This process involves a sequence of events and not just the accumulation of molecular groups.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have identified a novel enzyme that halts histone synthesis when no longer needed, preventing lethal cell damage. The discovery sheds light on the complex regulatory mechanisms governing histone mRNA expression.