PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Mayo Clinic researchers identify role of Cul4 molecule in genome instability and cancer

2013-11-07
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Joe Dangor
newsbureau@mayo.edu
507-284-5005
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic researchers identify role of Cul4 molecule in genome instability and cancer ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Mayo Clinic researchers have shown that a molecule called Cul4 helps to deposit DNA-packaging histone proteins onto DNA, an integral step in cramming yards of genetic code into compact coils that can fit into each cell. When DNA isn't packaged correctly, it can lead to the genomic instability characteristic of many forms of cancer.

The research is published in the Nov. 7 issue of the journal Cell. The results explain on a molecular level how Cul4 enables the handoff of histones from the proteins escorting them from their birthplace in the cell to their workplace on the DNA, where they can begin wrapping DNA up into tidy units called nucleosomes.

"We suggest that cancer cells may have evolved a mechanism to disrupt proper nucleosome assembly by altering Cul4 and other factors, which in turn could affect the stability of the genome and promote the formation of tumors," says senior study author Zhiguo Zhang, Ph.D., a molecular biologist at Mayo Clinic.

To protect the integrity of the genome, DNA is packaged tightly, first around spools of histone to form nucleosomes, then stacked on top of each other to form chromatin and finally looped and coiled to form chromosomes. Depending on whether and how histones interact with a given genetic sequence, the DNA is either closed up tightly within this package or lies open so that the underlying genes can be read and become active.

Researchers have long known that special proteins -- called histone chaperones -- escort histones around the cell, but how they finally let go of the histones to deposit them onto DNA was unclear.

Dr. Zhang wondered if Cul4, which is altered in a number of human cancers, including breast cancer, squamous cell carcinomas, adrenocortical carcinomas, and malignant mesotheliomas, might be involved. So he and his colleagues developed a series of cellular assays in yeast and in human cells to investigate the role of Cul4 in nucleosome assembly.

They found that Cul4 modifies the chemical entities on the surface of the histones, weakening the interaction between them and the histone chaperones charged with their care. They noticed that the same observations held true in the yeast indicating that the role of Cul4 in nucleosome assembly and genome stability is likely conserved between yeast and human cells.

"We uncovered a novel molecular mechanism whereby Cul4 regulates nucleosome assembly," says Dr. Zhang. "Our finding underscores the fact that proper regulation of the nucleosome assembly pathway is a key step in maintaining genome stability and epigenetic information."

### Co-authors of the article are Junhong Hang, Ph.D., Hui Zhang, Zhiquan Wang, Ph.D. and Hui Zhou. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health grants # GM81838 and GM72719. The Epigenomic Program, Center of Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic also partly supported this study.

About Mayo Clinic Cancer Center As a leading institution funded by the National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic Caner Center conducts basic, clinical and population science research, translating discoveries into improved methods for prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. For information on cancer clinical trials, call 507-538-7623. About Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life. For more information, visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/about and http://www.mayoclinic.org/news.

Journalists can become a member of the Mayo Clinic News Network for the latest health, science and research news and access to video, audio, text and graphic elements that can be downloaded or embedded.


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Breakthrough discoveries on cellular regeneration seek to turn back the body's clock

2013-11-07
Breakthrough discoveries on cellular regeneration seek to turn back the body's clock Researchers reactivate gene to rejuvenate tissue repair, identify gene that promotes stem cell self-renewal DALLAS – Nov. 7, 2013 – Two groups of scientists at ...

Study finds that Americans want doctors' guidance on genetic test results

2013-11-07
Study finds that Americans want doctors' guidance on genetic test results In an era of commercialized medicine, direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing has been on a steady rise. Consumers can purchase a DNA sample kit, also known as a "spit kit," mail it to a testing ...

Human muscle stem cell therapy gets help from zebrafish

2013-11-07
Human muscle stem cell therapy gets help from zebrafish HSCI researchers improve therapy prospects Harvard Stem Cell Scientists have discovered that the same chemicals that stimulate muscle development in zebrafish can also be used to differentiate human stem cells into ...

Promoting chemistry through cooking: American Chemical Society Prized Science video

2013-11-07
Promoting chemistry through cooking: American Chemical Society Prized Science video One of Shirley O. Corriher's first lessons on how chemistry meets cooking came in the form of scrambled eggs stuck to a frying pan. That experience set the former biochemist ...

Scientists identify clue to regrowing nerve cells

2013-11-07
Scientists identify clue to regrowing nerve cells Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a chain reaction that triggers the regrowth of some damaged nerve cell branches, a discovery that one day may ...

UT Southwestern researchers discover a new driver of breast cancer

2013-11-07
UT Southwestern researchers discover a new driver of breast cancer DALLAS – Nov. 7, 2013 – A team of researchers at UT Southwestern has found that as cholesterol is metabolized, a potent stimulant of breast cancer is created – one that fuels estrogen-receptor ...

'Freakish' asteroid discovered, resembles rotating lawn sprinkler

2013-11-07
'Freakish' asteroid discovered, resembles rotating lawn sprinkler Astronomers have discovered a "weird and freakish object" resembling a rotating lawn sprinkler in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The find, reported online in the ...

Horrors of war harden group bonds

2013-11-07
Horrors of war harden group bonds War is hell, and according to new research, experiencing the horrors of war can cause people to have a greater affinity for members of their own group, particularly if individuals are exposed to war during key periods of their ...

UCSF scientist asks, did inefficient cellular machinery evolve to fight viruses and jumping genes?

2013-11-07
UCSF scientist asks, did inefficient cellular machinery evolve to fight viruses and jumping genes? It might seem obvious that humans are elegant and sophisticated beings in comparison to lowly bacteria, but when it comes to genes, a UC San ...

Changes to fisheries legislation have removed habitat protection for most fish species in Canada

2013-11-07
Changes to fisheries legislation have removed habitat protection for most fish species in Canada University of Calgary and Dalhousie University fisheries biologists say federal Fisheries Act revisions were unscientific Federal government changes to Canada's ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Pavlov’s dogs were conditioned to go to their treat. Why do some animals learn to interact with the bell instead?

Call for Young Editorial Board members at Current Molecular Pharmacology

MSU team develops scalable climate solutions for agricultural carbon markets

Playing an instrument may protect against cognitive aging

UNM study finds link between Grand Canyon landslide and Meteor Crater impact

Ultra-hot Jupiter’s death spiral could reveal stellar secrets

You only get one brain! The best helmet material for protecting your noggin

Neurodegeneration and stroke after GLP-1RAs in diabetes and obesity

Pediatric COVID-19 hospitalization trends by race and ethnicity, 2020-2023

Research spotlight: New genetic roadmap offers insights into obesity and diabetes

Fred Hutch leads new Vanguard Study for Cancer Screening Research Network

‘Mismatched’ transplants now safe, effective for blood cancer patients, study finds

New research helps narrow down uncertainties in near-term precipitation projections for the Asian Water Tower

AI tool accurately detects tumor location on breast MRI

Researchers use OCT imaging to uncover how the fallopian tube transports embryos

PolyU secures RGC theme-based research scheme funding to develop cost-effective and sustainable Co-GenAI model

Van Andel Institute scientists develop technique for high-resolution single cell epigenetic analysis

The Lundquist Institute wins multi-year NIH grant exceeding $11 million to transform diagnosis and treatment of deadly mucormycosis

Review suggests ending adult boosters for tetanus, diphtheria

ESMT Berlin welcomes Rebecca Schaumberg to faculty

Blocking a little-known protein may offer new hope for devastating lung disease

Medieval medicine was smarter than you think – and weirdly similar to TikTok trends

FAU receives NIH grant to investigate amphetamine addiction

Realizing on-site carbon nanotube photo-thermoelectric imaging

Most of us love memes. But are they a form of comics?

Novel biosensor allows real-time monitoring of sucrose uptake in plants

Korea University researchers reveal revealing how WEE1 drives cancer resistance to immunotherapy

Pusan National University researchers develop breakthrough deep learning model that enhances handheld 3D medical imaging

SLAS Discovery and SLAS Technology demonstrate research impact with 2024 impact factors

Disease-causing bacteria can deal with stink as long as they get a meal

[Press-News.org] Mayo Clinic researchers identify role of Cul4 molecule in genome instability and cancer