A team of Université de Montreal researchers has visualized RNA molecule organization in cells using super-resolution microscopy. They found that messenger RNAs exist in multiple configurations, contradicting the long-standing model of a stable closed-loop conformation.
A study published in Nature reveals that the RNA modification m6A facilitates learning and memory in mice by promoting translation through the Ythdf1 reader protein. The researchers found that knockout mice showed significant deficits in spatial learning and fear memory, but these deficits were reversible upon re-expression of Ythdf1.
An international team of researchers has determined the function of a new family of proteins associated with cancer and autism. The study found that these proteins, including MCT-1 and DENR, play a crucial role in regulating protein production by acting as translation factors for uORF-containing mRNA.
Researchers created a mathematical model that captures cellular intent by analyzing mRNA changes over time. This approach helps analyze cell function, disease, and organ development, providing insights into treatment efficacy.
Researchers have developed a more sensitive single-cell RNA sequencing method, mcSCRB-seq, to analyze the functional state of individual cells. This technique provides a molecular fingerprint of each cell's mRNA population, revealing its protein-making capacity and gene regulation.
Researchers from University of North Carolina and University of Auckland have made a significant advance in resolving the mystery of genetic translation. Their analysis reveals previously hidden rules by which key translational molecules interact, suggesting that simpler ancestors of these molecules worked together at the dawn of life.
Researchers at Oregon State University developed a gated recurrent neural network to decipher RNA's connections to human health and disease. The model, called mRNN, outperformed existing methods in predicting protein-coding potential and identified special codons that indicate protein synthesis.
Biologists identify how mixed nucleotide tails in mRNA delay its shortening, acting as a shield against premature degradation. This discovery could bring new insights into gene regulation and potential RNA-based gene therapy methods.
Scientists found microRNA changes detectable in mice before symptoms of Alzheimer's disease appear. The study suggests microRNA-142 may be a key biomarker for the condition.
Researchers have discovered how messenger RNAs are transported out of the nucleus through nuclear pore complexes, a process that occurs in just a fraction of a second. The study also sheds light on how mutations affect protein stability and could lead to the design of therapeutic drugs for motor neuron diseases.
Researchers developed novel strategies to engineer more stable and active proteins, enhancing mRNA therapy potential. Sequence engineering improved protein expression, duration, and enzymatic activity in mice.
A recent study published in PNAS found that disrupted mRNA transport into axons leads to impaired nerve function and cell death, exacerbating conditions like ALS and spinal muscular atrophy. The researchers identified a noncoding RNA, 7SK, as playing a crucial role in these transport complexes.
Researchers discover first mutation in EPO gene causing increased production of EPO hormone, leading to abnormally high red blood cell mass. The mutation reprograms a second mRNA in the EPO gene, resulting in biologically active EPO production and increased symptoms.
Researchers discovered that small noncoding RNAs orchestrate the resilience of Haloarchaea to oxidative stress by degrading messenger RNA and silencing transposons. This finding could lead to a better understanding of how other species, like humans, resist damage from oxidative stress.
A protein called ZFP36L2 is essential for eggs to complete normal development and fertility. Female mice lacking this protein in their eggs are infertile due to a failure in global transcriptional silencing.
Researchers at MSU have discovered a molecular timer that regulates protein synthesis, preventing extra molecules from being produced. The mechanism uses stalling ribosomes to control protein production, which could help combat cancerous tumors.
Researchers at Osaka University discovered that Arid5a translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in response to inflammation, regulating IL-6 production. This finding offers potential therapeutic strategies for septic shock and autoimmune diseases.
Scientists have discovered that a gene crucial for learning, called Arc, can send its genetic material from one neuron to another by employing a strategy commonly used by viruses. This new process may allow the toxic proteins responsible for Alzheimer's disease to spread through the brain.
Researchers describe two poly(A)-binding proteins that protect mRNA from translation in malaria parasites. The non-nuclear protein accumulates on the surface of sporozoites, suggesting a role in interacting with outside RNA and facilitating transmission.
A recent study published in eLife found that a maternally inherited gene is essential for proper zebrafish embryonic development, and its absence leads to fatal defects. The research reveals the critical role of this gene in regulating cell signaling pathways, including Nodal signaling, which plays a key role in left-right patterning.
Researchers from Bielefeld University discover a protein called AtGRP7 that regulates daily cycles in plant cells. The study reveals the 'auxiliary clock' plays a crucial role in synchronizing cellular processes with environmental changes.
Researchers developed a new mouse model lacking the Upf3b gene to study its underlying role in intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders. The study found that Upf3b-deficient mice exhibited defects in neural stem cell specialization, dendrite formation, and sensory processing.
Researchers discovered a chemical tag added to RNA during embryonic development regulates the early brain's growth. The study found that m6A-tagging is essential for proper brain cell development, with dysregulation linked to psychiatric disorders.
Researchers discovered that intestinal cells use a strategy to increase protein production within minutes of food entering the intestines, enabling fast and efficient processing. This approach has potential medical implications for diseases such as colitis, Crohn's disease, and bowel cancer.
A new study reveals that head-on collisions between protein machines on chromosomes can disrupt DNA replication and increase the frequency of genetic errors. These collisions promote mutations in key genes involved in coping with environmental stresses, which may help bacteria survive hostile environments.
Researchers have discovered a circular RNA, Cdr1as, that regulates microRNA levels and modulates synaptic responses in the brain. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of neural function and may hold potential for treating psychiatric diseases.
A dedicated transport system has been characterized that delivers specific mRNAs to active synapses, allowing for the modulation of synaptic junctions and enabling learning and memory. The key factor involved in this transport binds specifically to regions of its mRNA cargo lacking protein-coding information.
A study by Hiroshima University researchers has discovered that controlling the hoarding of genetic materials in the nucleus causes it to bulk up. The swelling is also enabled by regulating the transport of mRNA and proteins from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, as well as lipid synthesis for nuclear membrane expansion.
Scientists have identified a group of seven genes that show distinct patterns of expression in patients with malaria, distinguishing it from other infectious diseases. This discovery could lead to the development of a fast and accurate blood test for malaria.
A Northwestern University study found that free-floating proteins can break up protein-DNA bonds at a single-binding site, disrupting gene expression. This discovery challenges previous beliefs about the stability of protein-DNA interactions and has implications for understanding biological processes in living cells.
A team from the University of Pennsylvania has demonstrated a new method to deliver safer and more cost-effective therapeutic antibodies using messenger RNAs. The technique involves injecting modified mRNAs into cells, which then produce the therapeutic proteins in a controlled manner.
A team of researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has discovered at least 47 possible start codons in DNA, which can trigger protein synthesis. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that only a small number of three-letter sequences in mRNA could initiate translation.
Researchers compared six methods for single-cell RNA sequencing and found that some commercial kits are ten times more expensive than homemade versions. The choice of method depends on the experiment's conditions and demands. This study is valuable for further developing the technology, particularly in the Human Cell Atlas project.
A novel gene therapy technique, called charge-altering releasable transporters (CARTs), has been developed to deliver messenger RNA (mRNA) into cells. This method overcomes the challenge of delivering mRNA through cell membranes and shows promise for treating diseases by inserting therapeutic proteins.
Researchers at Salk Institute use mRNA therapy to deliver instructions for clotting protein, achieving normal clotting and minimal immune response in mice. The therapy shows potential as a cost-effective and safer alternative to existing treatments for hemophilia B and other genetic diseases.
A novel mRNA vaccine has shown promise in protecting mice and monkeys against Zika virus infection. The vaccine, which uses messenger RNA to produce Zika virus proteins, was found to be highly effective in preventing the virus in both animal models.
A new Zika vaccine candidate has shown promising results in preclinical tests, protecting mice and monkeys with a single dose of mRNA-based vaccine. The innovative approach induces strong immune responses without adverse events, offering a potential solution to the global fight against Zika virus.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences found that BCAS2 plays a crucial role in alternative mRNA splicing during mouse spermatogenesis, leading to impaired meiosis initiation. The study provides evidence for the importance of alternative splicing machinery in regulating germ cell development.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a new technology that can precisely control gene expression by light illumination, overcoming existing limitations. The method uses ultraviolet and blue light to start and stop protein production in embryos, enabling precise timing and duration of gene expression.
Researchers have characterized the structure of a macromolecular complex involved in mRNA transport, showing how RNAs are recognized and bound by binding proteins in the nucleus. The complex allows for the specific recognition and transport of mRNAs from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm.
Dr. Scarlett Shell is awarded a $1.1 million NSF CAREER Award to investigate the molecular mechanisms of bacteria's stress response, which could lead to new treatments for infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Her work aims to enrich educational experiences for students and inspire careers in science.
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University demonstrate how an evolutionary ancient mechanism of protein biosynthesis helps a cell resist stress. They developed a technique called FLERT, which allows studying the impact of cell stress on protein synthesis in a short-time scale.
Researchers have identified a new adaptor protein on the microtubule roadway that helps motors navigate proteins to their correct destinations. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about motor function and has implications for understanding diseases such as cancer and cardiac disease.
Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München discovered a mechanism to recycle bacterial ribosomes stalled on messenger RNAs lacking termination codons. This process, involving the protein ArfA, has emerged as a promising target for developing new antibiotics.
Researchers discovered that neural stem cells serve as RNA highways, transporting proteins and messenger RNAs to the endfeet. FMRP was found to be responsible for controlling mRNA movement and is linked to autism-related disorders.
Researchers have discovered new compounds that are more stable and effective than their natural equivalents, leading to a better understanding of protein biosynthesis in cells. This could help design better therapeutics and improve patient outcomes.
A team of scientists has discovered that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulates gene expression to determine the sex of fruit flies by controlling the Sex-lethal (Sxl) gene. Alternative splicing allows only female mRNA to be made into a functional protein.
Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation have identified a new pathway to therapy discovery for Huntington's disease. The study found that blocking the activity of messenger RNA (mRNA) is enough to revert alterations associated with the disease.
Researchers have discovered that distinct conformations of a protein essential for spliceosome assembly on mRNA precursors significantly influence splicing efficiency. The findings suggest that different structural configurations adopted by the large subunit of U2AF regulate splicing operations, affecting protein synthesis rates and fi...
Researchers at Berkeley Lab discovered a complex system of cell regulation that acts as quality control for genetic information transport out of the nucleus. They found that proteins associated with aberrant strands of genetic code are regulated, enabling gateway proteins to recognize and block them from exiting the nucleus.
Researchers have discovered vigilin, a 'lock keeper' protein in liver cells that regulates fat release and influences transport proteins. The study found a strong correlation between vigilin levels and fatty liver percentage.
Researchers found that messenger molecules in flatworms have alternate forms with varying tail lengths, affecting gene expression. The study provides insights into stem cell regulation and tissue regeneration.
A recent SISSA/CNR-IOM study reconstructed the cleavage process for group II introns using computer simulations, shedding light on the human spliceosome's complex mechanism. The research provides valuable information for fighting diseases related to aberrant splicing, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are linked to a deficiency in nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD), which deactivates the cell's quality control system and leads to increased inflammation. This finding may lead to new treatments for rare masses of immune cells.
Scientists at MIT and HHMI use a new imaging technique to observe short-lived enzyme clusters that play a central role in triggering mRNA production and controlling gene transcription. These clusters, which remain stable for up to 24 seconds, can significantly impact gene expression.
Researchers have developed a method called 'LIGR-Seq' to explore the functions of non-coding RNAs in human cells. The study revealed new roles for small nucleolar RNAs in regulating protein-coding mRNA stability and abundance.
A new study by the IBS Center for RNA Research has found that poly(A) tail length is not linearly correlated with translation efficiency in somatic cells. The researchers used two techniques to compare poly(A) tail length and translation efficiency, finding a correlation between the two in a limited range.
Researchers at HKUST elucidated the dynamics of backtracking in RNA polymerase II, revealing a stepwise process that detects mis-incorporated RNA and corrects errors. The study provides insight into fundamental mechanisms of transcription and may help understand human diseases and aging related to transcription infidelity.
Researchers found that UPF3A protein plays critical role in RNA regulation and male fertility, potentially leading to new treatments for infertility and various genetic diseases. The study also reveals the importance of NMD pathway in eliminating faulty mRNAs and preventing disease.
A team of researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center has identified a second role for RNA-binding proteins, which may contribute to neurological diseases such as autism and epilepsy. The study suggests that these proteins play a key regulatory role in translating messenger RNA into proteins.