Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Pro-viral human protein critical for embryo development

Researchers discovered that ZC3H11A is essential for regulating metabolic genes in embryos and their absence leads to complete lethality. The study's findings suggest that ZC3 may be a promising therapeutic target for the development of anti-viral agents against medically significant human viruses.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2023

Chemical found in common sweetener damages DNA

A new study by North Carolina State University researchers finds that sucralose-6-acetate, a chemical formed when we digest sucralose, is genotoxic and breaks up DNA. The chemical is also present in trace amounts in the sweetener itself, posing potential health risks.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2023

Genomes from 240 mammal species explain human disease risks

A large-scale genomic study of 240 mammal species reveals previously uncharacterized regulatory elements in the human genome, linked to disease risks and distinctive traits. The research provides insights into the evolutionary development of mammalian genomes and their potential applications in medical research.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2023

Early grain development in bread wheat

Researchers found that TaMADS29 interacts with TaNF-YB1 to regulate early grain development in bread wheat. The complex helps prevent excessive ROS accumulation, promotes nutrient transport into the endosperm, and allows normal grain filling.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateApr 12, 2023

How an autism gene contributes to infertility

A UC Riverside study identifies how a Fragile X gene mutation contributes to premature ovarian failure, leading to early infertility. Researchers found that the mutation affects neurons regulating reproduction in the brain and ovaries, causing an increase in hormone production and faster secretion rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFrontiers in Endocrinology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2023

Jet lag’s harmful health impacts found to be caused by biological clock misalignment

Research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that circadian disruption from jet lag can harm adult neurogenesis, which supports learning and memory. The study found that the Cryptochrome 1 gene regulates this process and that misalignment can lead to adverse health effects such as dementia and mental illness.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournaleNeuro·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2023

NIH researchers discover new autoinflammatory disease, suggest target for potential treatments

Scientists have identified an autoinflammatory disease called Lyn kinase-associated vasculopathy and liver fibrosis (LAVLI) linked to mutations in the LYN gene. The research suggests that Lyn kinase may be a potential therapeutic target for drugs treating non-syndromic small vessel vasculitis and inflammation-induced liver fibrosis.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Cause of leukemia in trisomy 21

Children with Down syndrome are highly vulnerable to developing aggressive leukaemia due to a defect in the RUNX1 gene, which regulates blood cell formation. Researchers have identified a specific variant of the gene that promotes leukaemia development and discovered potential therapeutic approaches to correct this malfunction.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2023

Post-COVID syndrome visible in DNA

Researchers found epigenetic changes in post-COVID patients, including genes associated with taste and smell, as well as cell metabolism. These findings may lead to the development of new diagnostic tools for this and similar diseases.

SourceLinköping University·JournalClinical Epigenetics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Cocaine addiction makes the brain age faster, suggests study

Researchers have discovered that cocaine addiction is associated with faster brain aging, with changes in DNA methylation in the prefrontal cortex contributing to this effect. The study, which analyzed cryo-preserved brains of deceased male donors, found that cells in this region appeared biologically older in individuals with CUD.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

HKU neuroscientists discover a novel neural mechanisms of secretin receptor in regulating water intake Providing new ideas for solving hydromineral imbalance symptoms

Researchers from HKU School of Biological Sciences reveal the important role of SCT Receptor in regulating drinking behaviour under thirst. The study demonstrates how SCTR participates in SFO to regulate thirst and provides new insights into gut-brain axis regulation.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Rice scientists reengineer cancer drugs to be more versatile

Researchers from Rice University have developed a new approach to control gene expression using proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). By reengineering the PROTAC molecular infrastructure, they demonstrated the ability to achieve chemically induced dimerization (CID), allowing for precise control over gene activation in specific loc...

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Scientists find unlikely pairs of DNA elements and regulator proteins make small plant stem cells destined to become tiny mouths

Researchers have elucidated a mechanism that makes tiny plant stem cells destined to give rise to stomata, cellular valves of plants. The discovery reveals two DNA codes and regulator proteins working together to lock in the fate of a plant cell.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2023

Reading out RNA structures in real time

Scientists have developed a technique to detect RNA structures in live cells, shedding light on the role of G-quadruplexes in neurodegenerative diseases. The method uses fluorescent spectroscopy and resolves existing limitations in studying these structures in real-time.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2023

Ben-Gurion University researcher and international colleagues hot on the trail of a key component of aging

Researchers found that SIRT6 maintains mitochondrial function through transcription regulation of mitochondrial genes. Without SIRT6, mitochondrial gene expression is down-regulated, leading to increased ROS production and impaired ATP generation, similar to changes observed in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalCell Death and Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

Mount Sinai researchers discover novel mechanism for MRSA virulence

The study reveals that repeated mutations in the sarZ gene lead to increased severity of MRSA blood stream infections, and that surface protein ClfB plays a critical role in pathogenesis. The findings provide insights into the factors contributing to MRSA virulence and may help uncover new treatment approaches.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2023

Aging | Genetic deficiency and pharmacological modulation of RORα regulate laser-induced choroidal neovascularization

In a mouse model of laser-induced CNV, RORα expression was highly increased in the choroidal/RPE complex post-laser, while loss or inhibition of RORα worsened CNV with increased lesion size and vascular leakage. RORα negatively regulates pathological CNV development by modulating angiogenic response and inflammatory environment.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateJan 18, 2023

Researchers uncover key codon repeats regulating chilling tolerance in rice

A recent study has revealed a novel cold domesticated repair mechanism for DNA damage in rice, providing elite modules for improving chilling tolerance. The discovery of GCG codon repeats in the first exon of COLD11, a DNA repair protein, has opened the way for fine regulation of rice chilling tolerance with a single site.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 6, 2023

Rewriting the textbook on gene regulation: It’s the big picture that counts

UC San Diego researchers have developed a simple quantitative formula to interpret how cells regulate transcription and translation processes. This breakthrough provides insight into how cells process environmental information and modulate behavior, enabling the precise manipulation of protein levels. The study's findings have signific...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2022

Cabbage white butterflies utilize two gut enzymes for maximum flexibility in deactivating mustard oil bombs

Researchers discovered that cabbage white butterfly caterpillars use two complementary enzymes for detoxification, allowing them to adapt to various cruciferous plants. The NSP and MA enzymes differ in their capacity to process different glucosinolates, enabling the caterpillars to fine-tune their detoxification mechanisms.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 12, 2022

NSF funds sixth annual tissue engineering solicitation for research leveraging the ISS National Lab

The NSF is funding projects that utilize the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory to advance tissue engineering and mechanobiology research. This solicitation aims to further drug discovery and therapeutic development through space-based research, with potential impacts on regenerative medicine and disease diagnosis.