Epigenetic Regulation
Articles tagged with Epigenetic Regulation
UT MD Anderson shares latest research breakthroughs
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.
AI method tackles one of science's hardest math problems
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.
Researchers find new target to sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy
A study published in Cancer Research has identified DPY30 as an epigenetic target that can sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. By modulating DNA replication stress, DPY30 promotes the addition of activation signals at stressed replication forks, supporting cancer cell survival and proliferation.
Brain mechanisms may vary depending on how long alcohol use occurs
Research in mice reveals direct gene regulation by alcohol metabolites, with varying effects on brain regions and exposure durations. Short-term exposure influences more genes and epigenetic programs compared to lengthy exposure.
Photorespiration contributes to epigenetic regulation in plants
Photorespiration provides carbon atoms required for environmentally induced DNA modification, influencing plant adaptation to environmental influences. The study found a metabolic connection between photorespiration and epigenetic regulation, suggesting a new approach to optimize crop strategies.
Scientists identify the gatekeeper of retinal progenitor cell identity
Researchers discovered Setd8 enzyme preserves retinal progenitor cell flexibility, enabling potential regenerative vision therapies. The study highlights a potential target for repairing damaged retinas, with implications for regenerative medicine and ophthalmology.
DFG funds brain development research at MPZPM with half a million euros
The German Research Foundation (DFG) has funded a three-year project to investigate epigenetic memory in nerve cells. The goal is to understand how gene expressions are preserved via epigenetic regulation, which plays a key role in learning ability, memory function, and healthy brain development.
From fungi to brain cells: one scientist's winding path reveals how epigenomics shapes neural destiny
Dr. Maria Margarita Behrens' work deciphers the molecular signatures defining every human brain cell type, shedding light on neural development and psychiatric disorders. Her single-cell epigenomic atlases will enable researchers to target specific cell types with unprecedented precision.
Brain resilience science reshapes psychiatry from treating illness to building strength
Dr. Eric J. Nestler's research has fundamentally reshaped global understanding of addiction and depression by focusing on resilience rather than pathology. His laboratory identified distinct molecular, cellular, and circuit changes in resilient brains that maintain normal behavioral function despite exposure to drugs or stress.
Pitt and UPMC study finds epigenetic signature of pediatric traumatic brain injury, paves way for precision recovery tools
Researchers at Pitt and UPMC Children's Hospital discovered a biomarker of complicated pediatric traumatic brain injury, which may serve as dynamic indicators of post-injury recovery. The study found that children with TBI had a different epigenetic profile compared to those with orthopaedic injuries.
DNA shape and rigidity regulate key players of gene expression
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that inflexible DNA within nucleosomes regulates the positioning of INO80, a chromatin remodeling complex. This unique mechanism allows INO80 to position itself on the surface of nucleosomes at the right location.
Epigenetic changes regulate gene expression, but what regulates epigenetics?
Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered a new mode of epigenetic targeting in plant cells, where specific DNA sequences guide DNA methylation patterns. This finding has major implications for understanding epigenetic regulation and could inform future strategies for epigenetic engineering.
Eminent physician-scientist Dr. Jonathan D. Licht to serve as next president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute
Dr. Jonathan D. Licht, a renowned expert in blood cancer and epigenetics, will succeed Peter A. Jones as the next president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute. Licht's extensive research experience and leadership skills will further strengthen the Institute's efforts to improve health and lives.
Air pollution can contribute to obesity and diabetes
Long-term exposure to fine air pollutants like PM2.5 can impair metabolic health by disrupting the normal function of brown fat through complex epigenetic changes. The study identified two enzymes, HDAC9 and KDM2B, as key drivers of this process.
Protein deficiency during pregnancy and lactation may compromise sperm viability in offspring
Research with rats found that maternal diet lacking protein during pregnancy and lactation can compromise reproductive health of male offspring. Changes in epididymis structure and function lead to impairments in motility, viability, and sperm concentration.
Double trouble: epigenetic duo shapes cell fate and disease
Researchers have identified a key synergistic role for two epigenetic markers involved in programming cell fate. Turning off these markers causes genes to over-activate, disrupting normal cell development. This discovery may indicate a new target for treating some types of leukemia with drugs already in clinical trials for other cancers.
Wasps may hold the secret to slowing down the ageing process
Scientists at the University of Leicester discovered that jewel wasps can slow down their biological rate of ageing by undergoing a natural 'time-out' as larvae. This pause in development extends lifespan and decelerates the epigenetic clock, tracking chemical changes in DNA.
When bacteria remember
Researchers have discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa can functionally organize itself into diverse populations using epigenetic memory. This diversification allows the pathogen to adapt to changing conditions in the human body and evade the immune system, making infections difficult to treat.
Maternal iron levels: An immense influence on sex determination in embryos
Researchers found that maternal iron deficiency can lead to male-to-female sex reversal in mouse embryos due to impaired Sry gene activation. Iron is necessary for KDM3A's enzymatic activity, which removes histone methylation allowing the Sry gene to become active.
Silent X chromosome awakens with age: New explanation for sex differences in age-related diseases
As women age, more genes on their X chromosomes escape silencing, potentially influencing disease. This epigenetic change may explain sex-based differences in age-related diseases.
Novel brain study increases understanding of what triggers drug use relapse
A novel brain study uncovers the critical role of the HDAC5 enzyme in regulating gene expression and neuronal activity, which can trigger relapse in individuals with substance use disorders. The study highlights a new molecular target for developing novel treatments to reduce relapse risk.
Suboptimal dietary patterns may accelerate biological aging already in young adulthood
A study of twins found that a diet low in fruits and veggies and high in red meat and sugary drinks accelerates biological aging. Conversely, healthier diets slow down biological aging. The study suggests that diet plays a significant role in aging, even after accounting for other lifestyle factors.
Climate change can cause stress in herring larvae
Exposure to multiple environmental stressors simultaneously impairs the ability of herring larvae to react at a molecular level, reducing their capacity for acclimatization. This can lead to increased protein damage and cell injury, potentially affecting growth and survival.
Epigenetic remodeling under oxidative stress: mechanisms driving tumor metastasis
Epigenetic changes, driven by oxidative stress, facilitate tumor metastasis through EMT, ECM remodeling, and CTCs survival. Novel therapeutic strategies combining oxidative stress modulators and epigenetic drugs show promise in combating metastasis.
Harnessing nature’s code for data storage
The new approach utilizes epigenetic principles to encode digital information onto existing DNA strands, significantly increasing storage capacity and reducing costs. The technique enables the storage of vast amounts of data in a minuscule space for long durations, offering a major shift from conventional storage technologies.
Scientists find new epigenetic switch
Researchers have identified a new epigenetic mark, 5-formylcytosine, which plays a crucial role in activating genes during early embryonic development. This discovery sheds light on the regulation of gene expression in vertebrates and has implications for our understanding of human development and disease.
Survival tactics: AI-driven insights into chromatin changes for winter dormancy in axillary buds
Researchers employed AI to analyze epigenetic impact of chromatin and transcriptional changes during winter dormancy in axillary apple buds. The study revealed genes related to cellular response to hypoxia, defense response to ABA, and circadian rhythm were activated during bud dormancy.
(Epi)genetic aspects of metabolic syndrome pathogenesis in relation to brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression
Research reveals a link between epigenetic factors and metabolic syndrome, highlighting the critical role of the hypothalamus in regulating energy balance. Studies show that maternal obesity can reprogram offspring's metabolism through epigenetic modifications.
Mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in the fibrogenic activation of hepatic stellate cells in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Research reveals the critical role of epigenetic regulation in hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrogenesis. Key findings include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs modulating HSC activation, with potential therapeutic implications for NAFLD.
Expanding role of epigenetics in human health and disease
Epigenetic modifications regulate gene expression and cellular function, playing critical roles in normal development and disease processes. Recent technological advancements have improved our understanding of the epigenome, enabling targeted therapies to treat cancers and other diseases with aberrant epigenetic modifications.
Basic research: Inhibition of epigenetic control enzymes in immune cells as a potential new starting point in cancer immunotherapy
A recent study suggests that inhibiting epigenetic control enzymes in immune cells, specifically HDAC1, improves anti-tumor immunity and tumor surveillance. This finding could lead to new therapeutic strategies in cancer immunotherapy.
Discovering cancers of epigenetic origin without DNA mutation
Researchers have found that genetic mutations are not essential for cancer onset, and instead, epigenetic dysregulation plays a crucial role. Epigenetic changes can cause gene expression to be altered, leading to tumour formation even after the signal has been restored.
New study focuses on the placenta for clues to the development of gestational diabetes
A new study has identified a deficit in the placental expression of IGFBP1 and low circulating levels as associated with insulin resistance during pregnancy. The findings suggest that measuring IGFBP1 levels could help identify people at risk of developing gestational diabetes early in pregnancy.
Combining epigenetic cancer medications may have benefit for colorectal cancers and other tumor types
Researchers have found that combining DNMT and EZH2 inhibitors activates viral mimicry in cancer cells, making them more susceptible to attack by the immune system. The combination therapy has shown potential in treating colorectal cancers and other solid tumors, with an upcoming Phase I clinical trial planned.
Formaldehyde, a carcinogen, is also used by the body to regulate our genes
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Oxford found that formaldehyde inhibits DNA methylation, turning genes on or off. The study suggests that high levels of formaldehyde may suppress the body's attempts to prevent cancer.
Epigenetic regulator MOF drives mitochondrial metabolism
The study reveals MOF's critical role in maintaining mitochondrial integrity through protein acetylation. COX17 is identified as a key target of MOF-mediated acetylation, stimulating its function and regulating oxidative phosphorylation.
How male mosquitoes compensate for having only one X chromosome
Scientists discovered a key regulator that balances X chromosome genes between male and female mosquitoes, which could help develop new ways to prevent the spread of malaria. The finding sheds light on how mosquitoes compensate for having only one X chromosome, offering potential strategies to reduce blood-sucking female mosquitoes.
Van Andel Institute chief scientist earns $7.9 million Outstanding Investigator Award to support cancer research
Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc., receives a seven-year, nearly $7.9 million grant to study epigenetic errors driving cancer development and explore potential new treatments. The funding will support his research into the molecule DNMT3A, which is involved in brain development and cancer development.
Unlocking the secrets of cell antennas
The NSL complex controls intraciliary transport genes essential for cilia formation and function. Loss of the complex leads to impaired assembly and activation of these genes, resulting in ciliopathies characterized by hearing loss, visual impairment, and kidney disease.
Understanding metabolites underlying eye development
A new Northwestern Medicine study has furthered the understanding of metabolic pathways underlying organ development, specifically eye development. The research found that aerobic glycolysis and production of lactate regulate critical genes required for early eye development.
Why women with multiple sclerosis get better when pregnant
Research identifies beneficial changes in immune system during pregnancy, which can lead to new treatment strategies for MS. Women with MS experience a 70% decrease in relapses during the last third of pregnancy, possibly due to epigenetic changes and hormone regulation.
MSK-led research finds unexpected link between chromosomal instability and epigenetic alterations
A graduate student's curiosity uncovers a previously unknown link between chromosomal instability and epigenetic alterations in cancer. The study, led by MSK researchers, reveals that chromosomal instability can drive epigenetic changes without requiring gene mutations, shedding light on the biology of advanced, drug-resistant cancers.
Epigenetic landscape modulates pioneer transcription factor binding
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that the epigenetic landscape plays a crucial role in regulating pioneer transcription factor binding. By understanding this process, scientists can develop new therapeutics to combat cancer and other diseases. The study reveals how epigenetic modifications affect transcri...
How superbug A. baumannii survives metal stress and resists antibiotics
Researchers at Macquarie University have discovered how superbug A. baumannii survives harsh environments and resists antibiotics by exploiting its strong drug pumps to expel essential metals from the cell. Disrupting this master regulatory protein, DksA, breaks the pumping system and allows for control of the bug.
Timing is everything: New insights into floral development unveil nature's perfect clock
A study reveals a unique epigenetic biotimer mechanism controlling floral meristem termination and stamen development in Arabidopsis thaliana. The team discovered that AGAMOUS serves as a master conductor orchestrating gene expression through cell cycle-coupled H3K27me3 dilution.
An epigenetic approach to modulating aging with nutrition and exercise
Researchers from the ALFA Score Consortium explore how nutrition and physical exercise can positively impact the aging process by modifying epigenetic changes. They find that healthy aging is associated with more tightly condensed chromatin, fewer histone post-translational modifications, and greater regulation by non-coding RNAs.
Here’s how a worm’s embryonic cells changed its development potential
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered how histone H3 controls cell specialization in worms, offering insights into cell differentiation and potential links to diseases. The study used CRISPR gene-editing technique to track the role of histones in development.
An extra X chromosome-linked gene may explain decreased viral infection severity in females
A study published in Nature Immunology found that female mouse and human NK cells have more of a specific epigenetic regulator called UTX, which boosts anti-viral function while repressing NK cell numbers. This suggests that therapies need to be tailored to individual differences, including sex.
Small differences in mom’s behavior may show up in child’s epigenome
A new study found that neutral maternal behavior at 12 months correlates with an epigenetic change in children related to stress response. The researchers analyzed data from a cohort of mother-infant pairs and found a small increase in methylation on the NR3C1 gene, which regulates the body's response to stress.
Stress gene dysregulation found in kids after injury from abuse vs. accident
A pilot study detected epigenetic changes in the regulation of a key stress response gene in young children with abusive injuries compared to accidental injuries. The findings suggest that traumatic experiences may lead to early biological responses and potentially reverse with interventions.
Discovery suggests new way to prevent common causes of vision loss
UVA scientists have discovered a new contributor to abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, which could lead to new treatments for macular degeneration and other vision loss conditions. The discovery identifies a key protein that determines VEGF levels, blocking it has reduced VEGF levels significantly without unwanted side effects.
A new epigenetic brain defense against recurrence of opioid use
Researchers discovered HDAC5 plays a critical role in limiting heroin-associated memories and drug-seeking behavior. By regulating gene expression, HDAC5 opposes powerful drug cues that trigger relapse.
Symbiosis between trees and fungi: Discovery of the role of epigenetics
Research reveals DNA methylation plays a crucial role in tree-fungi symbiosis, affecting water uptake and environmental adaptability. Epigenetic modulation between trees and fungi enhances symbiotic relationships, with implications for forest management and climate change mitigation.
New AI tool makes speedy gene-editing possible
Researchers at NYU Langone Health and the University of Toronto have developed a new AI tool called ZFDesign, which enables customizable protein editing for treating genetic diseases. The tool promises to accelerate gene therapy development on a large scale, offering a potentially safer alternative to CRISPR.
From octopus to elephant: a molecular zoo of epigenetics
Scientists have mapped and analyzed DNA methylation profiles in 580 different animal species, providing insights into the evolutionary conservation of epigenetic mechanisms. The study reveals that DNA methylation constitutes a cancer-protective mechanism in large animals with long lifespans, contradicting Peto's paradox.
New mechanism uncovered behind osteoarthritis could inform new treatments
A new study found that increased extracellular matrix stiffness leads to a decrease in the longevity protein Klotho in knee cartilage, damaging chondrocytes. Conversely, softer extracellular matrices restored healthy cartilage states in aged cells.
Early prenatal alcohol exposure affects genes involved in embryonic development
Researchers found that early prenatal alcohol exposure changes gene function and epigenome in placenta and human embryonic stem cells. These changes are associated with altered DNA methylation patterns, particularly in genes linked to nervous system development, such as DPPA4 and FOXP2.
HUSHing repetitive-like elements contributes to normal brain development and function
The HUSH complex is involved in normal brain development, neuronal individuality, and connectivity. The complex also regulates repetitive-like gene clusters, including protocadherin gene clusters, which are essential for neuron-to-neuron interactions.
How ‘chameleon cancers’ can change their colors to survive treatment
Scientists have discovered that leukemia cells can change their DNA read-out to evade treatment, making them harder to treat. The study identified key genetic changes that allow cancer cells to survive and relapse.