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New role of small RNAs in Salmonella infections uncovered

Researchers discovered that small RNAs regulate Salmonella's virulence genes by stabilizing mRNA stability through the hilD 3' untranslated region. The study found that Spot 42 and SdsR sRNAs are crucial for controlling SPI-1 expression, leading to improved understanding of Salmonella's pathogenicity.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2023

Taming Overactive mTOR in Renal Cell Cancer

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a novel mechanism of tumor formation in kidney cancers, highlighting the role of overactive mTORC1 signaling pathway and loss of the TSC tumor suppressor gene. Activation of microphthalmia transcription factors (MITF) family by unopposed mTOR signaling may lead to abnormal cell gr...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2023

How do worms develop their gut?

A husband-and-wife research team at UC Riverside found a simpler gene network is involved in specifying the gut in nematodes related to Caenorhabditis elegans. The discovery was made possible by the COVID-19 pandemic, which freed up time for the researchers to explore their question of how nematodes develop their gut.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalDevelopment·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2022

Researchers investigate neuron differentiation in fruit fly brains

The study reveals that non-coding regions near sloppy-paired genes are essential for temporal transcription factor expression and that Notch-signaling regulates the transition to subsequent TTFs. This mechanism couples temporal patterning with neuron generation, providing insights into brain diversity.

Scientists unravel millet genotype-microbiota interaction insights to enhance crop adaptability and yield

Researchers identified 257 rhizoplane microbial biomarkers associated with six key agronomic traits, revealing a complex association between millet genotype, root microbiome, and crop growth. The study provides insights into precision agriculture based on genotype-dependent microbial effects in foxtail millet.

SourceBGI Genomics·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 10, 2022

Immune cells more susceptible to being suppressed allow acceptance of transplanted organs

In a new study, researchers found that immune T cells lacking the key transcription factor Satb1 are more susceptible to suppression by regulatory T cells, leading to transplant tolerance. The study provides insight into the mechanism behind transplantation tolerance and may lead to the development of new immunosuppression regimens.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2022

Scientists map networks of disease-associated immune genes

Researchers created a detailed map of how immune genes function together, shedding light on the basic drivers of immune cell function and immune diseases. The study found interconnected regulatory networks that can help explain why mutations in different genes lead to the same disease or how drugs impact multiple immune proteins.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 11, 2022

Using firefly genes to understand cannabis biology

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding cannabis biology by using firefly genes to study trichome development and cannabinoid synthesis. By cloning promoters and expressing firefly luciferase, researchers can evaluate signals that orchestrate cannabinoid production and trichome development.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalPlants·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022

Maintaining the right niche for blood cell development

The study found that mice lacking both Runx1 and Runx2 in CAR cells showed a significant reduction of HSPCs and immune cells, along with an increase in fibrosis. The researchers suggest that Runx1 and Runx2 may be potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of myelofibrosis.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2022

Why hungry worms take risks

Researchers used worms to study how hunger signals in the gut communicate with the brain, leading to riskier behavior. The findings suggest that proteins in intestinal cells move dynamically to transmit signals about hunger, driving worms to cross toxic barriers.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022

How genome organization influences cell fate

A team of researchers at UC Riverside has discovered that a protein complex called CAF-1 controls genome organization to maintain lineage fidelity in blood stem cells. The study found that CAF-1 keeps specific genomic sites compacted and inaccessible to transcription factors, ensuring the expression of lineage-specific genes.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2022

Mount Sinai researchers discover how early-stage breast cancer can become a silent killer in some patients

Researchers at Mount Sinai have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which not-yet-malignant breast cancer cells can travel to other organs and 'turn on' to become metastatic. The study identified potential diagnostic biomarkers, including the transcription factor NR2F1, that could help predict relapse.

Understanding arteriosclerosis: How blood vessels restructure under pressure

High blood pressure can cause long-lasting changes in the structure of vascular smooth muscle cells, stiffening arterial walls and increasing the risk of cerebrovascular disease. Researchers found that a signaling pathway triggered by E–T coupling is involved in this process, leading to inflammation and vascular remodeling.

SourceNagoya City University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2022

Researchers boost rice yield by overcoming trait tradeoff between panicle number and size

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a method to overcome the tradeoff between rice yield component traits, including panicle number and size. By modifying the cis-regulatory region of the Ideal Plant Architecture 1 gene, they increased grain yield by 15.9% while maintaining tiller number.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Decoding the molecular clock that controls neurogenesis in the visual center of Drosophila

In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers uncovered the molecular players involved and how timing is controlled for creating neural diversity. Single-cell RNA sequencing technology revealed a temporal patterning gene network in Drosophila medulla neuroblasts, including nine new transcription factors.

Gene regulation at its brightest

Researchers at Tohoku University create a novel method to quantify transcription factor activity in live organisms using viruses. This breakthrough enables scientists to understand how diseases develop and potentially treat them.

SourceTohoku University·JournaliScience·DateMar 18, 2022

Discovering molecular ‘team-work’ underlying nitrate assimilation in a unicellular red alga

Researchers identified a critical region of CmMYB1 and the CmNDB1 protein that negatively regulate nitrate assimilation genes under nitrogen-repleted conditions. This study provides valuable insights into molecular functions and mechanisms in plants, shedding light on the regulation of transcription under specific nitrogen levels.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2022

Data from Codiak’s exoASO™-STAT6 preclinical development program for the treatment of primary and metastatic hepatic cancers published in Science Advances

Codiak BioSciences' exoASO-STAT6 demonstrates potent anti-tumor efficacy by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages to an M1 phenotype, showing promise as a monotherapy candidate for hepatocellular carcinomas and other cancers. The company plans to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials in the first half of 2022.

SourceScient Public Relations, Inc.·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2022

Target identified to improve immunotherapy against solid tumors: the transcription factor Blimp1

Scientists have identified the transcription factor Blimp1 as a new critical regulator of tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells. Disrupting Blimp1 in these cells remodels the tumor microenvironment and augments the response to immunotherapy, promoting improved tumor control and anti-tumor immunity.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalMolecular Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2021

From the god of sun to immunodeficiency: international research team identifies new rare disease affecting hematopoiesis and immunity

An international research team discovered a new rare disease caused by a disrupted Helios-dependent epigenetic regulation mechanism, leading to T and B cell defects. The study highlights the importance of Helios in immune homeostasis and suggests potential therapeutic targets for immunodeficiency and malignancy.

SourceSt. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

Special transcription factor and its target genes as an important approach for therapy at rare leukemia type identified

A study by MedUni Wien researchers has discovered that the transcription factor BATF3 and its target genes play a crucial role in the growth of tumour cells in anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The findings suggest that targeting the IL-2R system could be an effective therapeutic approach, with promising results in animal models.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 22, 2021

Long search finds grain of hope in the glume

Researchers at the John Innes Centre identified a key gene controlling grain elongation and glume characteristics in Polish wheat, which could lead to improved productivity and sustainability in wheat production. The discovery highlights the importance of understanding genetic control of agronomic traits for major crops like wheat.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateMay 19, 2021

New computational models to understand colon cancer

The study identified several cellular pathways that change when a tumor becomes aggressive, and developed a simple system to model their effect. The model integrated different types of experimental data, including transcription factors, to predict which targets are important for colorectal cancer aggressiveness.