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What we can learn from hungry yeast cells

Scientists discovered a unique way in which yeast cells adapt to starvation by coating their mitochondria with massive molecular complexes called ribosomes. This adaptation has potential implications for cancer treatment as it may help overcome the challenges faced by cancer cells when they are starved of nutrients.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

Depression, antidepressants, epigenetic age acceleration, and mortality in postmenopausal women

A new study reveals that depression and antidepressant use are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in postmenopausal women. Epigenetic age acceleration, measured by GrimAge DNA methylation age acceleration, partially mediates the relationship between antidepressant use and increased mortality risk.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2024

The beginning of becoming a human

Researchers Polina A. Loseva and Vadim N. Gladyshev challenge the existing definition of human life, suggesting a new meaning for the 14-day stage in organismal life grounded in recent mechanistic advances and insights from aging studies. This stage defines the separation of soma from the germline and marks the boundary between rejuven...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 9, 2024

Evidence of a pan-tissue decline in stemness during human aging

Researchers found that ~60% of tissues exhibit a significant negative correlation between age and stemness score, indicating a pan-tissue decline in stemness. This study adds weight to the idea that stem cell deterioration contributes to human aging, with hematopoietic stem cells from older individuals showing higher stemness scores.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateApr 16, 2024

‘How do we know what we don’t know?’: Scientists completely define the process of methylation

Researchers Dr Joshua Hamey and Professor Marc Wilkins have completely defined the essential cellular process of methylation, emphasizing its role in creating proteins. The study reveals that methylation is crucial for controlling protein synthesis and cell behavior, opening up new avenues for understanding and manipulating this process.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 30, 2023

Signal transduction in cells: Precise or economical?

Researchers at Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology study signal transmission in baker's yeast to understand how cells balance information accuracy with energy costs. They found that the pheromone signalling pathway contains negative feedback regulations that improve accuracy, but may also impose fitness costs.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 19, 2020

Scientists reveal how proteins team up to repair DNA

Researchers discovered a crucial DNA repair process in yeast that involves a protein called Rad51 and two helper proteins called Swi5-Sfr1. This finding may help understand why DNA repair processes fail to function properly in humans, leading to diseases like cancer and inherited conditions.

SourceeLife·DateMar 24, 2020

I will drink to that

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology identify PP2A B55δ as a major regulator of alcohol fermentation by yeast. Understanding this molecular pathway could lead to ways to chemically enhance production of fermented beverages like sake.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateOct 26, 2018

Aging can be good for you (if you're a yeast)

Research in yeast reveals increased adaptability with age, benefiting growth on alternative food sources like galactose. This study challenges the notion of aging as an inevitable process, suggesting potential benefits and ancient mechanisms that may be conserved in more complex organisms.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalAging Cell·DateMar 1, 2017

Chemical origami yields new plant compounds with therapeutic and economic potential

Researchers developed a method to alter plant enzymes, producing new natural compounds with disease-resistance properties and potentially useful as anti-foaming agents or natural sweeteners. This breakthrough could revolutionize the production of complex compounds in the lab.

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2016

Expanding the stable of workhorse yeasts

A team of researchers has sequenced the genomes of over 29 yeast species, revealing a wider diversity than expected. The study identifies new genetic pathways and enzymes that can be used to produce biofuels and other valuable products from a range of sugars.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 15, 2016

Big trash pickup

Cells have two disposal systems: proteasomes, which handle smaller proteins, and autophagy, a process that removes larger complexes. Researchers discovered a smart bin liner-like system in autophagy, involving Cue5 receptors and Hsp42 chaperones.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 1, 2016

A multitool for cells

Researchers have discovered that yeast cells use a complex protein structure, called the polarity site, to detect scent gradients. This site moves along the membrane towards the strongest signal before creating a bulge in the cell to grow towards its source.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateDec 21, 2015