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Gene regulation: Shaping up to make the cut

Researchers have discovered that distinct conformations of a protein essential for spliceosome assembly on mRNA precursors significantly influence splicing efficiency. The findings suggest that different structural configurations adopted by the large subunit of U2AF regulate splicing operations, affecting protein synthesis rates and fi...

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 3, 2016

A moving story of FHL2 and forces

Researchers from NUS have unraveled the molecular story of FHL2 and its relocation to the nucleus in response to ECM stiffness, influencing protein synthesis and cell proliferation. This study provides new insights into the regulation of cell growth in soft environments.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2016

Ribosomal quality control

Researchers found that ribosomes hold newly synthesized proteins back until specific helpers, called chaperones, deliver the matching counterparts. This ensures only the intended structure is formed, adopting the role of a quality inspector in addition to production.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 6, 2016

Stop signals against protein clumps

Protein aggregates are toxic and contribute to nerve cell death in diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington's. The study reveals missing stop signals lead to long lysine chains blocking ribosomes, allowing defective proteins to accumulate and form toxic aggregates.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateMar 3, 2016

Signal identified that prompts one kidney to grow larger when the other is lost

Researchers have discovered a key driver of kidney growth in response to losing a single organ, highlighting the importance of protein synthesis and mTORC1 activation. By understanding this mechanism, they hope to develop new strategies for preserving kidney function in patients with a single functioning kidney.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 27, 2015

How do neural cells respond to ischemia?

A study published in Genome Biology reveals that within 20 minutes of ischemia, significant changes occur in protein synthesis, primarily involving mitochondrial respiratory chain proteins. The findings suggest an early system of regulation, including the increase in UBE2S protein, which may directly affect the HIF signaling pathway.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalGenome Biology·DateMay 5, 2015

Finding the body clock's molecular reset button

Researchers at McGill and Concordia universities have discovered a mechanism that explains how light regulates protein synthesis in the brain, affecting the function of the circadian clock. The study found that phosphorylation of key proteins plays a pivotal role in resetting the body's internal clock.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 27, 2015

New data revealed on Q10 coenzyme, whose deficiency causes a rare mitochondrial disease

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the biosynthetic pathway of CoQ10, a molecule essential for cellular metabolism. The study, led by Dr. David J. Pagliarini, reveals that protein CoQ9 regulates enzyme Coq7, and that CoQ10 synthesis is organized as a multiprotein complex to increase efficiency and regulation.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2015

Artificial cells act like the real thing

Researchers design a network-like cell system that reproduces dynamic behavior of protein synthesis, allowing for control over genetic content and protein production. The system enables the study of gene network design and emerging protein dynamics, potentially paving the way for controlling protein synthesis for various applications.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateAug 18, 2014

Discovery of a new means to erase pain

Researchers at Université Laval developed a new method to alleviate chronic pain by rekindling pain and then erasing it. By injecting capsaicin and administering a protein synthesis inhibitor, they induced temporary pain hypersensitivity, which was subsequently reversed.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 9, 2014

A full serving of protein at each meal needed for maximum muscle health

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consuming protein at each meal can promote optimal muscle growth and maintenance. Researchers discovered that evenly distributing protein throughout the day is crucial for maximizing muscle synthesis rates, whereas a skewed distribution pattern may lead to suboptimal results.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateMay 20, 2014

New theory in neuroscience by UNIST Research Team: Common mechanisms in Fragile X and Down syndrome

Scientists at UNIST have identified a common mechanism in Fragile X and Down syndrome that regulates dendritic spine morphogenesis and synaptic efficacy. This discovery provides an important stepping stone in understanding the multiple roles of DSCR1 in neurons and identifying potential therapeutic targets for intellectual disabilities.

Watching the production of new proteins in live cells

Researchers at Columbia University have developed a new technique to visualize protein synthesis in live cells, enabling the study of complex biological processes such as long-term memory and disease mechanisms. The method harnesses deuterium-labeled amino acids to track newly synthesized proteins, providing unprecedented insights into...

SourceColumbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2013

Putting sleep disorders to bed

A new study has identified a fundamental biological process controlling the body's circadian clock, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating circadian clock-related disorders. The research found that removing a repressor protein improved brain clock function, enabling mice to adapt to time zone changes faster.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuron·DateAug 21, 2013

The ribosome -- a new target for antiprion medicines

Researchers at Uppsala University have identified the ribosome as a key player in prion diseases, such as mad cow disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The discovery suggests that antiprion medicines targeting the ribosome's protein folding activity may be effective in treating these fatal neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUppsala University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 2, 2013

Hitting 'reset' in protein synthesis restores myelination

Researchers at UB's Hunter James Kelly Research Institute have found that reducing a protein called Gadd34 can improve nerve and muscle function in patients with CMT neuropathies. By leaving protein synthesis partially off, they were able to restore myelination, potentially leading to new treatments for other misfolded protein diseases.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateApr 26, 2013

A protein’s role in helping cells repair DNA damage

Researchers found that TFIIB halts general transcription when DNA damage occurs, enabling cells to prioritize repair and support p53's tumor-suppressing functions. This process allows p53 to bypass the need for TFIIB phosphorylation, activating its target genes vital for DNA damage response.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2012