Interaction between stem cells and their niches key to differentiation
...overed in the Lin lab, is the founding member of a family of genes involved in the development stem cells in diverse organisms in both animal and plant kingdoms. pum- and bam-like genes also exist in mammals and humans. "In our experiments we demonstrated that piwi and bam proteins are expressed independ...Parents' attitudes to sperm donation still some concerns about being open
...onymity living more often in a context where other family values prevail. Male infertility and non genetic p...e was no reason to tell, or to protect one or more family members, including the feelings of the child itself. Nearly 30% also felt that openness might affect...Mayo Clinic researchers discover new kind of heart failure gene
In genetic mapping of a large family with several members affected by a type of heart failure called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the Mayo Clinic team found a defect in a gene on chromosome 3 called SCN5A. By scanning 156 unrelated patients with DCM, they found four additional mutation...Chimpanzees show quality of relationship drives sense of fairness
...situations with a stranger or enemy but not with a family member or friend. "Identifying a sense of fairness in two, closely-related nonhuman primate species implies it could have a long evolutionary history. The capuchin responses as well as those of the chimpanzees, the most closely related species to hu...Molecular probes for biology research and drug discovery
...cs" (the analogous study of the products of a gene family has certain advantages over the genetic methods: The effects of small molecules are generally fast and reversible due to the metabolism and excretion of the molecules. This enables the transient study of proteins. The effect is tuneable, as a varying...New puzzle-piece shows how growth hormones work in plants
... nucleus of the cell. In plants, a steroid hormone family called brassinosteroids (BRs) start to work on the surface of the cell. A bucket-brigade of activity then wins its way into the cell's nucleus to activate specific genes that tell the cell to grow. "We found a key component in this complex chain reac...Protein stops growth of brain tumor, OHSU study shows
...tudy shows. Herstatin inhibits the activation of a family of enzymes responsible for signaling inside tumor cells that tells the cells to proliferate and display other malignant properties, said Gail Clinton, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology in the OHSU School of Medicine who co-author...Scientists ID molecular 'switch' in liver that triggers harmful effects of saturated and trans fats
...o the bloodstream. PGC-1beta belongs to a specific family of co-activators, proteins that interact with othe... have previously discovered the PGC-1 co-activator family and several of its biochemical activities. The Dana-Farber researchers made the discovery in searchi...Molecular biology fills gaps in knowledge of bat evolution
...d the coverage of classifications of bats from the family level to the genus level and probe in more detail into the bat evolutionary record. He also plans to compare the completeness of the bat fossil record with that of other mammals....Despite causes of lupus proving complex, critical 'checkpoint' suggesting new therapy is revealed
...munology known for his elucidation of an important family of antibody binding molecules called the Fc receptors, and his colleagues, have learned that a specific Fc receptor functions to prevent the accumulation of the auto-antibodies that are responsible for the disease progression in lupus. They also have...Man and mouse share genome structures
...oteins that package DNA, researchers have mapped a family of switches that turn genes on and off. Their findings may help scientists understand regulatory mechanisms underlying cancer and human development. The research team includes first author Bradley Bernstein, recipient of a Howard Hughes Medical Inst...Recognizing new aneurysm syndrome can save lives
...of the receptor that binds TGF-beta. TGF-beta is a family of signaling molecules that controls cell growth, ... shows that it's real, particularly when there's a family history that can be traced." Mutations in the syndrome's responsible genes had not previously been l...Gene with broad role also causes prevalent, inherited nerve disorder
...und to underlie CMT types 1 and 2. In rare cases, family members exhibit a form of the disease with symptom...werp, the University of Sydney, and donations from family members and friends of CMT families to the Center for Human Genetics....US government list of cancer-causing agents grows
...iseases like cancer, especially when someone has a family history," said Kenneth Olden, Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, which prepared the report for DHHS. The Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition, referred to as the "RoC," l...Blocking cell signaling can stymie viral infections, study shows
...mmune system. Because variola belongs to the large family of orthopox viruses (which also include the agents for monkeypox and cowpox) and other viruses exploit erb-B, human cytomegalovirus, for example, it's likely that the signal-blocking technique will prove effective in a wide array of conditions, remar...Compound from rare plant shows promise in treating breast cancer
...onia refracta, a nondescript member of the dogbane family found in the Amazonian rain forest. The compound works like a key in a molecular lock. It inhibits the action of a cancer-linked protein called RSK, which the researchers discovered is important for controlling the growth of breast cancer cells. Inte...Gene therapy promising for growing tooth-supporting bone
... humans in four to seven years. BMP-7 is part of a family of proteins that regulates cartilage and bone formation. Recent studies have shown that BMPs are present in tooth development and periodontal repair. This study mixed BMP-7 genes with an inactivated virus in a gel-like carrier and injected it into wo...Heart specialists call for cardiovascular screening for all young competitive athletes
...on, a detailed investigation of their personal and family medical history and, most importantly, a 12-lead E...thletes had physical examinations and personal and family history investigations, but 12-lead ECG was done only at the doctor's discretion. The American Heart...New component of the 'brakes' on nerve regeneration found
...ion to TAJ/TROY because it is a member of the same family of receptor proteins--called TNF receptors--as p75. Their experiments revealed that TAJ/TROY is produced throughout the adult brains of mice. Also, they found that TAJ/TROY readily fits into the inhibitory receptor complex and that the resulting rece...NJIT expert recommends 16 easy, affordable ways to make homes safer for people with disabilities
...ents of low-income, older individuals caring for a family member with dementia or grandchildren. The researchers then implemented a series of low cost home modifications. The Administration on Developmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funded the other project. Researc...