Articles tagged with Epigenetics
Researchers create 'planimal' cells by fusing algal cells with mammalian cells, retaining 16.3 million base pairs of algal DNA over 155 generations. The cells' ability to stably pass on foreign genetic material has implications for understanding evolution and genetic transfer across species boundaries.
Researchers propose a 'central dogma of aging' framework that explains how genomic instability, telomere attrition, and metabolic imbalances interact to drive aging. The model suggests that interventions targeting multiple layers of the network are more effective than single-target approaches.
Researchers developed a blood test that distinguishes between women with early-stage breast cancer and healthy women with 95% accuracy. The test also predicts the risk of recurrence after treatment, detecting aggressive cells with distinct epigenetic signatures.
Researchers developed a combination therapy approach using TargetScore algorithm to target PARP and SHP2 proteins, overcoming treatment resistance in breast cancer models. This approach showed durable responses and improved survival in multiple preclinical models.
Researchers developed a blood-based approach to track small-cell lung cancer and understand its biology. The test uses tiny fragments of material released into the bloodstream to identify molecular patterns characteristic of the disease, allowing doctors to assess its progression and respond to therapy. The study offers a promising rou...
Researchers found that H3mm15, a histone variant differing from H3.3 by three amino acids, contributes to normal sperm development in mice by regulating gene expression. The study found that H3mm15 forms less stable nucleosomes, leading to changes in chromatin behavior and gene regulation.
Researchers found that TET2 binds to regulatory regions within the AGO2 gene, promoting AGO2 expression and influencing the fate of RNA molecules. This discovery suggests that AGO2 contributes to the coordination of myeloid cell identity and may be a potential target for leukaemia treatment.
A new review proposes the Polycentric Aging Framework, which suggests that epigenetic regulation is a dominant factor limiting human lifespan. The framework identifies three major constraint layers, including epigenetic regulation, irreversible genetic and physical damage, and the accumulation of damaged proteins and organelles.
A newly discovered pathway helps cancer cells selectively produce proteins that drive tumor growth, including KRAS. Targeting the METTL13 enzyme may improve responses to targeted therapies and help overcome treatment resistance.
Researchers systematically summarize how epigenetic modifications and metabolic reprogramming interact to drive hepatocellular carcinoma. The review highlights the epigenetic-metabolism axis as a promising therapeutic target and offers new insights for treatment.
Researchers developed a tool to analyze gene regulation, revealing new insights into biological variability and potential for genetic medicines. The tool, called FIRE, uses machine learning to identify regions crucial for gene function, suggesting new therapeutic targets for hereditary diseases.
Research identifies N6-methyladenosine as a critical regulator in IBD pathogenesis, influencing intestinal barriers and immune responses. The study highlights the potential of targeting the m6A pathway for precision diagnosis, individualized therapy, and prognosis prediction.
Dr. Derek Janssens' lab will develop and apply new techniques for studying epigenetics, a relationship with vast implications for health. They will analyze blood samples from people with myelodysplastic syndrome and lupus to understand epigenetic changes that drive disease-related changes in the body.
Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers unveil epigenetic blueprint controlling MYC amplification, a key driver of aggressive cancer growth. The study identifies possible biomarkers and therapeutic targets for treatment-resistant cancers.
A 12-month exercise intervention improved attention and memory in breast cancer survivors, while a companion study found exercise slowed epigenetic aging. These findings suggest exercise may help buffer against cognitive effects associated with accelerated epigenetic aging.
Researchers identified circLPAR3 as a key mediator of docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer, promoting tumor growth under chemotherapy by suppressing ferroptosis. The study highlights circLPAR3 as a promising biomarker for treatment response and suggests targeting its regulatory network could help overcome chemotherapy resistance.
Scientists discovered that a temporary change in gene regulation can be inherited for at least 15 generations in C. elegans without altering the DNA sequence. This epigenetic inheritance occurs through a succession of mechanisms, allowing organisms to respond to changing environmental conditions.
A UCLA study found that a dietary supplement, Ca-αKG, reduced lung tumor growth in female mice, but increased tumor growth in male mice. The supplement activated genes associated with better outcomes in women with lung cancer, but had the opposite effect in men.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that KDM2B is essential for tumor growth in Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastomas, which lack targeted therapies. Removing KDM2B or its downstream complexes slowed tumor growth and prolonged survival in preclinical models.
A phase 2 trial found that vitamin C may benefit people with pre-cancer blood disorders by altering inflammatory signaling molecules and reducing adverse events. The study suggests that vitamin C may help regulate inflammatory pathways associated with growth and progression of pre-cancerous blood cells.
A new study found that inducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) during embryonic development protects the adult heart from chemotherapy toxicity in mice. The study discovered that stressed mitochondria release citrate, leading to long-term epigenetic changes that promote beneficial mitohormetic adaptations. These findings s...
Salk Institute scientists found that maternal immune activation leads to epigenetic changes in mouse brains, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. These changes were particularly significant in areas of the genome associated with autism spectrum disorder.
Epigenetic regulation governs chromatin accessibility and transcriptional output, enabling cells to adopt distinct functional states. The review discusses the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in development, disease and therapy, highlighting their potential for clinical translation.
Two new studies from Karolinska Institutet suggest that inflammation and genetic factors may contribute to cluster headache, a rare neurological disorder characterized by severe headache attacks. The studies also found that exposure to substances in tobacco smoke may interact with biological mechanisms in the condition.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute discovered that Legionella bacteria use a protein called RomA to manipulate the host's epigenetic landscape, allowing it to survive and multiply. However, this manipulation is also subject to the host's rules, revealing a complex two-way conversation between host and pathogen.
A new blood-based approach developed by Kumamoto University researchers detects breast cancer recurrence by analyzing nucleosome structure in circulating DNA. The study identified genomic regions associated with treatment resistance and recurrence, promising a low-invasive monitoring method for patients.
Researchers have maintained brain organoids for over 5 years, mirroring human brain development. The tissue exhibits complex cellular interactions, neuronal activity, and epigenetic changes, providing insights into neurodevelopment and potential therapeutic targets.
A new study at Tampere University found that simple risk factors like body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and smoking habits are better predictors of chronic disease than epigenetic clocks. This challenges the marketing claims of biological age tests, which can cost hundreds of euros.
Researchers discovered that maternal age effects are driven by an epigenetic mechanism, specifically histone modifications, which can turn gene expression on or off. This mechanism can rapidly reverse effects, implying that maternal age effects are not caused by gradual accumulation of cellular damage.
Researchers from USC-led study found that different epigenetic clocks capture distinct aspects of cellular aging, while introducing new gene-expression based clocks with stronger predictive power. These tools can better predict age-related disease and mortality by examining DNA methylation patterns and gene expression.
Researchers found that OSKTF-mediated neuronal rejuvenation boosts rehabilitation-driven corticospinal tract (CST) repair after ischemic stroke. The study demonstrated that combining OSKTF expression with rehabilitative training significantly enhances CST axon sprouting and skilled locomotor function recovery.
A cohort study finds that childhood history of maltreatment is associated with increased biological age in late midlife, potentially impacting health outcomes. The study's epigenetic clock analysis sheds light on the long-term effects of early life trauma on aging processes.
Research at AIST, Institute of Science Tokyo, and Ritsumeikan University uncovers the impact of histone acetylation site location on liquid–liquid phase separation in gene regulation. This study provides new perspectives for therapeutic development targeting aberrant gene expression.
A vegan diet for one month shifts epigenetic patterns associated with reduced inflammation, immune function, and biological aging. The study found changes in DNA methylation linked to lower proportions of inflammatory immune cells and increased proportions of CD4 T cells.
A new study found that cells of the same chronological age can follow dramatically different biological aging paths. Tissues become a mosaic of biologically younger and older cells, with some individual cells aging much faster than others.
Researchers have developed a genetic tool, mCHIRA, to study the effects of small sequence variations on gene regulation and tease apart the impact of genomic microenvironment. This approach enables scientists to test hundreds of regulatory DNA sequences and understand how cells determine which genes are active.
A study of 43 fathers, mothers, and newborns found that higher ultra-processed food consumption by fathers was associated with higher birth weights and greater fat accumulation in babies. The quality of the father's diet before conception may influence fetal development.
Researchers found that females with live offspring had lower late-life frailty, contradicting previous theories on a potential reproductive cost. The study used companion dogs to investigate the relationship between reproduction and aging, revealing a unique link between parity and robustness.
The IRP1/ARID3A complex suppresses ferroptosis and promotes chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer by epigenetically silencing cytoglobin (CYGB). Restoration of CYGB expression reverses these effects, sensitizing tumor cells to ferroptosis and improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Nagoya University review the latest results of plasma agriculture, finding that well-tuned plasma treatments boost seed vigor or yield in over two-thirds of studies. Plasma-induced epigenetic changes also promote positive expression of plant genes involved in germination and stress tolerance.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered that MLL4 drives disease progression in specific leukemia types while acting as a tumor suppressant in solid tumors. The findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying MLL4's context-dependent functions in cancer.
Researchers have developed a new CRISPR-based method to control protein production in cells by targeting ribosomal RNA. This method, known as TAPIR, has been shown to increase protein synthesis and promote the growth of cancer cells. The results offer new insights into stem cell biology and disease-relevant processes.
A large study suggests exposure to air pollution during sperm development can impact genes associated with sperm development, chromosomal organisation and cellular quality control. Researchers identified 39 DNA methylation changes linked to air pollution mixtures, including ozone and nitrogen dioxide.
Recent studies suggest that p16INK4a+ cells, previously thought to be non-beneficial due to their association with aging, actually contribute to tendon regeneration. These mesenchymal cells produce collagen and factors promoting new blood vessel and nerve growth, crucial for normal tendon function.
Researchers discovered how ATRX mutations reprogram gene regulation architecture to fuel glioma growth and progression. Targeting genes downstream of ATRX slowed cancer progression in preclinical models.
Researchers found that a 12-week lifestyle program combining exercise guidance, dietary counseling, and daily yogurt consumption significantly slowed DunedinPACE, an epigenetic measure of biological aging. The intervention resulted in a modest but statistically significant slowing of the pace of aging, corresponding to a 2.2% reduction.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed epigenetic drugs that can reprogram perivascular fat cells to reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel health. By targeting specific gene-expression regulators, these drugs aim to prevent vascular damage in people with obesity and metabolic disease.
Researchers at ISTA and Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that environmental factors influenced by parents' genes can significantly impact children's traits like height, body weight, and school performance. The study used genetic and phenotypic data from over 30,000 families to separate direct and indirect genetic effects.
Researchers found a unique protein called YAF9B that helps plants protect their stem cells from DNA damage. This discovery sheds light on how plants coordinate DNA repair processes, which could improve future crops by guiding more precise genome editing.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered an unexpected chromosome interaction between telomeres and centromeres in some aggressive cancers. This interaction creates a genetic signature that could help identify ALT-positive tumors, which are often challenging to treat due to genomic instability.
A recent study found that semaglutide, a widely used GLP-1 drug, slows down the accumulation of biological aging markers in adults with HIV. The treatment reduced chronic immune activation, visceral and ectopic fat, and reprogrammed certain cells, which may help explain its effects on multiple aging clocks.
Researchers discovered that certain organelles in plants can efficiently compensate for mistranslated proteins, a key to their environmental stress acclimation. Plants tolerate high rates of plastid mistranslation via regulated proteostasis.
A recent study by UAB and IJC reveals that SIRT7 plays a crucial role in maintaining the genome stability of male germ cells. The protein's deficiency during ageing leads to functional decline in sperm quality, causing premature loss of spermatogonia and increased DNA fragmentation.
A new study reveals that metabolic dysfunction in offspring is caused by excess microRNA in sperm from obese fathers. After weight loss, these molecular marks disappear, and offspring develop normally. Research suggests that interventions promoting health and longevity may trigger an increase in this enzyme expression.
A recent study by University of California - Davis researchers has identified a protein called DAXX that guides the packing and folding of DNA in sperm cells. This discovery could improve treatments for couples struggling with male infertility, as well as help understand how environmental factors impact offspring health.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University restored youthful patterns of DNA organization in old mice livers, reversing molecular signs of aging. The study identifies SIRT6 as a powerful protector against age-related chromatin changes.
Researchers from The University of Osaka have discovered a two-factor system that controls stem cell differentiation, involving the stabilization of the CoREST corepressor complex at gene promoters. This process prevents stem cells from drifting towards differentiation and maintaining their pluripotency.
Research finds GADD45B induces MST1 expression by promoting DNA demethylation, exacerbating apoptosis and intestinal injury in I/R. GADD45B/TET1/MST1 axis may represent a viable therapeutic strategy for I/R injury.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advancements in targeted therapy treatments for advanced lung cancer and early-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma. The studies showcase high response rates with novel combination therapies and a new understanding of how an enzyme affects infertility and cancer progression.
Researchers developed a new framework, 'Mollifier Layers,' to tackle challenging inverse PDEs. This advance could benefit fields such as genetics and weather forecasting by inferring hidden forces that produce observable patterns.