Scientists in the Liao lab and Cornell University have produced near-atomic resolution snapshots of CRISPR that reveal key steps in its mechanism of action.
The most frequent genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) may stem from errors in RNA splicing, an intermediary and critical step for translating genetic instructions into functional proteins.
The most recent project from the Harper & Gygi labs, BioPlex 2.0 (Biophysical Interactions of ORFeome-derived complexes), was featured in Nature and uses affinity purification-mass spectrometry to elucidate protein interaction networks and co-complexes nucleated by more than 25% of protein-coding genes from the human genome.
The National Academy of Sciences recently announced the election of 84 new members and 21 foreign associates in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research (NAS press release here, HMS release here).
The ubiquitin-proteasome system is responsible for regulated destruction of a wide variety of proteins in eukaryotic cells. Some targets, such as proteins embedded in membranes or stable macromolecular complexes, require prior processing by an ATPase known as Cdc48 in yeast, or p97 in higher organisms.
Protein biosynthesis and quality control must be precisely balanced to give new proteins an opportunity to mature before degrading failed intermediates that can cause disease.
