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Trisomy 21: Research breaks new ground

The study found that trisomy 21 affects proteins on all chromosomes, leading to an overdose of proteins and dysregulated cellular functions. This deregulation disrupts the cell's ability to regulate protein production, resulting in symptoms such as intellectual impairment and congenital heart disease.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 28, 2017

High yield, protein with soybean gene

Researchers have successfully bred soybeans with both high yields and high protein levels, addressing a long-standing challenge in plant breeding. The genetic findings suggest that a specific gene on chromosome 15 can increase protein concentration without significantly decreasing yields.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateNov 22, 2017

New function in gene-regulatory protein discovered

A team of researchers has discovered a new function of the gene-regulatory protein CBP, which affects the recruitment and release of RNA polymerase from genes. This finding enhances our understanding of gene regulation and provides insights into why CBP is often affected in certain forms of cancer.

SourceUmea University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 20, 2017

The birth of a new protein

A team of scientists at the University of Arizona has discovered that a newly evolved yeast protein can fold into a compact three-dimensional structure, contrary to the long-held assumption that such proteins are incomplete and 'works-in-progress',

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalStructure·DateOct 19, 2017

Matchmaking with consequences

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have uncovered key details of how Myc proteins work inside tumor cells, revealing their crucial role in cancer development. The study found that an enzyme called polymerase-associated factor 1 (PAF1) plays a significant role in amplifying Myc protein activity.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2017

Pest resistance to biotech crops surging

A global assessment reveals that genetically engineered crops producing insect-killing proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis have led to a fivefold increase in pest resistance cases over the past decade. However, some pests remain suppressed due to factors such as recessive inheritance of resistance and abundant refuges.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateOct 10, 2017

Exploring periodontitis in patients with Chédiak-Higashi syndrome

A study explores the relationship between Chédiak-Higashi syndrome and periodontitis, revealing that LYST mutations affect TLRs and lead to a dysregulated immune response. Classic CHS patients with bone marrow transplantation exhibited mild chronic periodontitis, while atypical CHS patients showed no evidence of aggressive periodontitis.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·JournalJDR Clinical & Translational Research·DateAug 31, 2017

Powerful new technique can clone thousands of genes at once

Scientists have developed a powerful new technique called LASSO cloning that can clone thousands of long DNA sequences at once, speeding up the creation of proteins and discovery of new medicines. This innovation enables researchers to analyze what genes' proteins do, leading to potential breakthroughs in scores of diseases.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 5, 2017

Study implicates 2 genetic variants in bicuspid aortic valve development

Researchers have discovered two genetic variants associated with bicuspid aortic valve development, which affects the heart's ability to pump oxygen-rich blood. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that these variants affect a key cardiac transcription factor called GATA4, leading to disruptions in valve formation.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 25, 2017

A fresh look inside the protein nano-machines

A new study by Université de Genève researchers reveals the basic geometry of the gene-to-protein code, highlighting the mechanical basis for DNA's map of functional proteins. The research focuses on the segment of the gene coding the hinges of nano-machines, which are essential for protein function.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMay 24, 2017

Social networking for the proteome, upgraded

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have created a high-throughput approach to map protein interactions, identifying over 56,000 unique interactions for nearly 6,000 proteins. The BioPlex network reveals functional roles for previously unknown proteins and links them to human diseases like cancer and hypertension.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateMay 17, 2017

A new model for activation of the immune system

A team of scientists has redefined the activation mechanism of the complement protein C1, a crucial part of the innate immune system. The study reveals that C1 is activated when two proteins are in close proximity, contradicting previous theories.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2017

Murky Amazon waters cloud fish vision

Researchers found that three Amazonian species have lost or disabled genes for detecting short wavelengths of light, allowing them to thrive in the murky environment. The study reveals a unique genetic adaptation that enables these fish to perceive their surroundings differently.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateJan 4, 2017

Largest resource of human protein-protein interactions can help interpret genomic data

The largest database of protein-to-protein interaction networks, InWeb_InBioMap, can illuminate how numerous disease-associated genes contribute to disease development and progression. By analyzing over 586,000 interactions, researchers may identify new candidate genes and improve understanding of processes that occur in human cells.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Methods·DateNov 28, 2016

Uncombable hair gene discovered

Researchers found mutations in three genes involved in forming the hair shaft, which causes uncombable hair syndrome, a rare condition affecting around 100 documented cases worldwide. The discovery provides insights into mechanisms of healthy hair formation and secures clinical diagnosis with molecular genetic methods.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateNov 17, 2016