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Exhausted T cells

LJI researchers identified key factors controlling T cell fate, shedding light on molecular mechanisms behind T cell exhaustion. This study offers new approaches to clinical intervention strategies to modulate T cell activity and improve immune function.

Low-carb diet alleviates inherited form of intellectual disability in mice

A low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet has been shown to alleviate symptoms of a rare inherited intellectual disability in mice genetically engineered with a Kabuki syndrome-like condition. The study suggests that correcting an imbalance in chromatin's open and closed states may improve mental function, offering new hope for treatment.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2016

A new energy source within the cells

Researchers at Center for Genomic Regulation discover a new pathway generating energy in the cell nucleus to deal with stressful situations and high levels of DNA damage. The key enzyme NUDIX5 is identified as crucial for nuclear ATP synthesis, which could lead to targeted cancer medicine and biomarker development.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalScience·DateJun 2, 2016

Maize genome 'dark matter' discovery a boon for breeders

Researchers at Cornell University and Florida State University identified a tiny percentage of regulatory DNA in the maize genome that accounts for roughly half of the variation in observable traits found in corn. This discovery enables breeders to focus on these areas for more efficient plant breeding.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2016

More detailed analysis of how cells react to stress

A new method called 'ADPr-ChAP' allows researchers to identify chromatin sites modified by ADP-ribosylation in response to cell stress, enabling a better understanding of the cellular stress reaction. This breakthrough could lead to new ways of intervening in disease-making processes such as chronic inflammation and cancer.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalMolecular Cell·DateFeb 8, 2016

The human genome: A complex orchestra

Researchers discovered that genetic variation impacts multiple, separated gene regulatory elements simultaneously, revealing a harmonized and synergistic behavior. This study sheds light on fundamental aspects of genome biology and its role in complex diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCell·DateAug 20, 2015

Maize analysis yields whole new world of genetic science

A team of researchers at Florida State University has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of plant genetics, shedding light on how plants regulate their genetic material. The study found that certain regions of DNA are hypersensitive to enzymes, allowing scientists to identify new biochemical signatures and gain a better under...

SourceFlorida State University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateNov 6, 2014

Drug treats inherited form of intellectual disability in mice

Researchers have successfully treated a genetic form of intellectual disability in mice using an anticancer drug, suggesting a potential new approach for the human condition. The study's findings indicate that altering the balance between chromatin's open and closed states could be key to treating Mendelian disorders of the epigenetic ...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 1, 2014

Gut microbes browse along a gene buffet

Researchers at Duke University discovered that the host determines which genes are open in the gut, while microbes regulate their usage, indicating a cooperative environment where both parties interact to thrive. This study has significant implications for understanding the intricate relationships between hosts and microbiomes.

SourceDuke University·JournalGenome Research·DateAug 7, 2014

Male infertility: It's all about the package

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered a protein called Chd5 that plays a crucial role in chromatin remodeling during sperm development. The team found that Chd5 is essential for maintaining the genetic information of male fertility, and its absence can lead to infertility and increased risk of disease.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 13, 2014

Possible links: Epigenetics, aging, nucleus protein mutations to cancer, rare disorders

A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals that epigenetic factors play a role in senescence, a process linked to normal aging and tumor suppression. The researchers found large-scale changes in gene expression and chromatin architecture when a nuclear protein called lamin B1 is deleted in senescent cells.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalGenes & Development·DateAug 30, 2013

Ready. Get set. Repress!

Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveal that histone exchange occurs over a large proportion of genes, controlling gene expression. They also find that the Set2 protein plays a complex role in regulating transcription, preventing cryptic RNA transcripts and maintaining chromosomal stability.

Tracking genes' remote controls

Scientists at EMBL have developed a new method to observe enhancer activity during development, showing that specific chromatin modifications trigger gene expression. This breakthrough provides cell-type specific information on enhancer activity and gene status in multicellular embryos.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Genetics·DateJan 9, 2012

USC researchers discover key aspect of process that activates breast cancer genes

Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine discovered how estrogen activates genes in breast-cancer cells through a protein called TIP60, which recognizes methylation signals in chromatin. This finding builds upon previous work and has broader implications for gene regulation and potentially global significance.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateNov 14, 2011

Study shows how bookmarking genes pre-cell division hastens their subsequent reactivation

A recent study published in Nature Cell Biology has discovered that bookmarking genes before cell division accelerates their reactivation afterwards. By analyzing the kinetics of gene activation, researchers found that a histone molecule undergoes chemical modification and is preserved during mitosis, allowing for rapid reactivation.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateOct 9, 2011