Articles tagged with Cell Division
Scientists have created a light-activated chemical inhibitor that can control two fundamental cellular processes: cell division and cell death. This innovation has significant implications for studying cellular functions, understanding medical disorders, and designing new therapeutic strategies.
Scientists have identified the crucial role of RAD51 protein in recruiting TERRA molecules to telomeres, which helps prevent accidental loss or shortening of DNA. This mechanism is essential for maintaining healthy telomeres and preventing premature aging and age-related diseases.
Researchers at Stanford University discovered a cellular compass that guides stem cell division in plants, influencing the formation of tiny pores called stomata. The nuclear position, controlled by proteins, regulates stem cell divisions, ultimately affecting leaf function.
Researchers found a gene that produces high levels of TRIM37 protein controlling centrosomes in breast cancer cells. Using an experimental drug to disrupt proteins making centrioles, they selectively killed cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
Researchers identify essential cohesin STAG2 in mouse embryonic development, while its inactivation is detrimental to adult health. The study provides substantial evidence of the specific functions performed by different cohesin subunits.
A novel connection between primordial organisms and complex life has been discovered, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of the cell division process. The study reveals a common regulatory mechanism in both archaea and eukaryotes, providing new insights into the history of eukaryotic cells.
Researchers discovered two possible mechanisms that drive varying degrees of susceptibility and resistance to EMT, a key process in cancer metastasis and therapy resistance. The study's findings suggest that epigenetic feedback and stochastic partitioning during cell division contribute to this resistance.
Researchers uncover how TANGLED1 controls microtubule movement, enabling accurate cell division in plants. This discovery could lead to improved crop yields and insights into human cellular processes, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have identified a novel plant-animal class of cell division disruptors, including the 17K protein from cereal-infecting viruses. The discovery reveals that these proteins can inhibit host cell growth by disrupting cell division, making them potential targets for controlling viral diseases in humans and crop plants.
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a protein called Meis1 that works with Hoxb13 to stop heart cell division, but deleting both genes can help heart cells regenerate. This finding could lead to new treatments for heart failure and other conditions.
A new study suggests a single cell division error can trigger a cascade of mutational events, generating defining features of cancer genomes. Researchers recreated the BFB cycle in cultured cells and observed an increase in chromothripsis after aberrant chromosome bridge formation.
A team of researchers at the University of Basel's Biozentrum has uncovered a genetic signature that enables cells to adapt their protein production according to their state. This mechanism plays a crucial role in regulating protein production during cell division, which is essential for efficient use of cellular resources.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute have achieved unprecedented control over the shape transformations and division process of artificial cells by anchoring low densities of proteins to the cell membranes. This simplified mechanism does not depend on precise molecular interactions, making it a promising tool for synthetic biology.
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 discovered two crucial mechanisms that contribute to the robust orientation of polarized proteins along the long axis of the fertilized egg. The study shows that the ellipsoidal geometry of the egg influences patterning and selection of the long axis polarization.
Scientists from Heidelberg University discovered the formation of spiral-shaped microtubules using state-of-the-art cryo-EM. The study reveals how the gamma-tubulin ring complex serves as a structural template for microtubule assembly, enabling quick regulation of division and cell growth.
The study aimed to understand how the properties of tubulin dimers and protofilaments depend on GTP hydrolysis. Scientists verified the first hypothesis that GTP affects flexibility in bonds between dimers, enabling easier straightening of microtubules.
Scientists at the University of Groningen discovered that an unstable protein, Cln3, triggers cell division in budding yeast by assessing environmental conditions favorability for protein production. The concentration of Cln3 peaks before initiating division, indicating a decoupling between protein synthesis and metabolic processes.
A team of scientists has discovered 35 species of marine fungi with unconventional cell division cycles, challenging classical models. The study aims to understand how fungi interact with environments and potentially uncover new biology in the vast marine biosphere.
Researchers found that cell division rates slowed by about 40% in colon tissue samples collected from patients in their 80s compared with those in their 20s. This slowdown may help explain why cancer incidence decreases at older ages.
Scientists discovered that bacterial cell division requires both mechanical and biological processes. The study found that a build-up of mechanical stress in the cell wall is necessary before division occurs, and can even be triggered by physical pressure.
Researchers found slower cell division rates in people between ages 80 and 89 compared to those between 20 and 29, potentially explaining age-related cancer decline. Mice did not exhibit similar age-dependent cell division slowdown.
Researchers discovered that long-lived fungi accumulate surprisingly few mutations over time, indicating a well-developed protection mechanism. The study uses fairy rings of Marasmius oreades to examine the speed and pattern of mutations, providing new insights into cell processes and longevity.
Researchers have streamlined the construction of human artificial chromosomes by bypassing the need for DNA from the centromere. This breakthrough enables improved delivery of drugs and gene therapies.
Hollings Cancer Center researchers used a whole-organism approach to study cell division cycles, revealing two modules that work similarly in all cell types and organs. The findings confirm previous knowledge and address new questions about the regulation of E2F transcription factors.
A study has revealed the structure of FoxM1 protein in its inactive state, which could lead to the development of new cancer treatments by stabilizing the protein. This understanding also provides insight into how transcription factors function and switch between active and inactive states.
Scientists have identified a key enzyme that regulates cell size in plant roots, leading to more robust and productive plants. This discovery could lead to innovative techniques to improve root architecture, resulting in higher crop yields and improved resilience to environmental stresses.
Researchers at CNIC have discovered that the protein p38gamma plays an essential role in initiating cell division in liver cells, making it a promising therapeutic target for liver cancer. The study found that inhibiting p38gamma slows down the development of liver cancer in mice, suggesting potential treatment options.
A review explores how two cell populations respond to organ failure, with one type relying on endoreplication and the other on cell regeneration. This cooperative response allows organs to recover from failure, but also presents tradeoffs that can impact long-term health.
New research shows that rapidly dividing cells fuse their mitochondria, increasing oxygen consumption and producing aspartate for cell replication. This process may have implications for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The study reveals that PI4P plays a crucial role in ensuring proper assembly and disassembly of the phragmoplast, leading to regular cell division and stable plant growth. Disrupted membrane building blocks result in severe defects in cell division, impacting plant stability, size, and adaptability.
MIT researchers found that excessive protein production leads to senescence and cell division impairment when cells grow too large. They discovered the limiting factor in cell growth is DNA amount, not chromosome number.
Cells maintaining their shape and proportions are crucial for successful reproduction through cell division. Fission yeast cells, studied in the research, found that a cell's shape determines where it will divide, highlighting the fundamental biological basis of scaling.
Researchers identify DPYSL3 as a molecule whose expression is altered in Claudin-Low triple-negative breast cancer, a highly metastatic and aggressive subtype. The study suggests that targeting the connection between DPYSL3 and vimentin could lead to new treatments for this disease.
Scientists discovered that DNA damage, not just errors in DNA doubling, causes many genetic mutations. This challenge traditional views on mutagenesis and its role in hereditary diseases and cancer.
Researchers at IST Austria found that plant cells inherit knowledge of where is up and down from their mother cell. The directional transport of hormone auxin sets up polarization, but this depends on polar distribution of PIN auxin transporters. Endocytosis and phosphorylation of PIN transporters are crucial for re-establishing polarity.
Researchers have identified a crucial protein, FtsZ, that triggers bacterial cell division when its concentration reaches a threshold. By studying the gut bacterium E. coli, scientists developed a mathematical model predicting when cell division will commence, providing new insights into this fundamental biological process.
Research unravels mechanism of defective ribosomes causing cellular damage, including DNA mutations and increased cancer protein levels. The discovery provides a solution to Dameshek's Riddle and turns ribosome defects into an attractive target in the fight against cancer.
A new study reveals that cells decide when to divide based on their internal clocks, with the time of day having a stronger influence than previously thought. The circadian clock continuously influences cell division throughout the day and night, fine-tuning the process by decreasing or accelerating division at different times.
Under dim light conditions, cyanobacteria divide asymmetrically to produce short daughter cells. The Min system's oscillation pattern changes depending on cell length, allowing bacteria to survive in stressful environments.
A new analysis of E. coli cell data sheds light on the long-standing question of what triggers cell division, suggesting that both DNA replication and septum formation occur concurrently. This discovery challenges existing models and offers new perspectives on cellular growth and potential applications in understanding cancer.
Researchers at OIST modified bacterial cells to form elaborate shapes, including stars, triangles, and pentagons, demonstrating the adaptability of bacterial cell division machinery. These findings suggest that geometry is not an obstacle to ring formation and have implications for developing new antibiotics.
A team of scientists discovered that spontaneous genetic errors in brain cells could lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These 'somatic mutations' are thought to arise during embryonic development, contributing to the roots of dementia in people without a family history.
Researchers developed a model explaining how the plane of cell division is specified in bacteria Myxococcus xanthus. The critical component PomZ proteins bind to DNA and recruit a cluster, then detach and diffuse, tethering it to the nucleoid. This system ensures accurate division by balancing forces and thermal fluctuations.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have revealed insights into how plants evolved from simple aquatic algae to complex, upright forms. The study found that CLAVATA peptides control cell growth and division at plant tips, enabling 3D shapes and multiple directional growth.
Researchers have determined the atomic structure of the Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) bound to DNA, revealing its role in selecting replication origins. The study reveals that ORC selects DNA sites based on their unique structure rather than specific base sequences.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University challenge cohesin's ring-shaped model by demonstrating that a mutation can't break down the complex, suggesting it may have a different structure. A new hold-and-release model proposes cohesin is like a jaw that holds chromatids in place and then opens to allow chromatin to move.
Researchers discovered that gene CD36 is unusually active in older cells, causing them to stop dividing. This effect can spread to nearby cells, leading to senescence. The study highlights the importance of understanding cellular aging and its implications for age-related diseases and cancer.
Two joint projects between IST Austria and French research institutes will study how polarity, shape and mechanics of cells control cell division. Johann Danzl and Olivier Thoumine investigate the role of synaptic adhesion molecules in synapse function using optically controlled molecules and high-resolution optical imaging.
Researchers have identified a critical aspect of healthy cell division and revealed how a vital protein called CENP-A is incorporated into chromosomes. A two-step process was found to be essential for replenishing the protein, involving targeting and transcription-induced remodelling of chromatin.
Scientists found that non-diploid cells have unstable centrosomes and microtubules, leading to abnormalities in cell replication. This understanding could lead to new cancer treatment strategies.
A University of Washington-led team discovered that the MUTE gene regulates stomatal development in plants, controlling cell division and gas exchange. The study found that MUTE activates genes that promote cell division and repressors that prevent further division, resulting in a tightly coupled sequence of activation and repression.
Researchers at Emory University uncover the role of hemimethylation in looping DNA and its impact on gene expression. They found that hemimethlyation is deliberately maintained and passed down through cell generations.
Researchers identify four genes that enable adult cardiomyocytes to divide and multiply, regenerating heart tissue in animal models. The technique could also be used to coax other types of adult cells to divide again, potentially treating brain damage, diabetes, hearing loss, and blindness.
Mutated Cyclin E and Myc genes induce premature DNA replication, leading to molecular collisions and new mutations. The study identified a method to map replication origins on all chromosomes, revealing that aberrant sites can cause genomic instability in cancers.
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center are studying the mechanisms behind cell-size control in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular green alga. The study aims to gain insights into how cell division is controlled in more complex organisms where it's harder to study the impacts of noise on cellular decision making.
Scientists at OIST Graduate University have used super-resolution nanoscopy to visualize the structure of bacterial cell division in E. coli. The study found that two key proteins, FtsZ and FtsN, form non-overlapping rings that play specific roles in the process.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex plays a crucial role in keeping stem cells in their immature state. The study suggests that rapid MCM loading rate is essential for maintaining stem cell identity.
Researchers at KU Leuven unravelled how the cell division timer is switched on and off, potentially leading to effective cancer therapy. The discovery involves a biochemical clock that gives cells time to fix attachment-related problems, allowing for more efficient cell division.