Proteasomes are the main protein recycling centres in all eukaryotic cells. Apart from their role in maintaining a healthy protein population, these complex molecules are critical as they also control key signals that determine the onset of crucial cellular events, including cell division. However, proteasomes are difficult to study. There are many different proteasome forms in a cell, which are difficult to separate biochemically.
Characterisation of recombinant human proteasome complexes
Germ cells need DNA crosslink repair to develop normally
Germ cells face a significant threat to their genetic integrity during embryonic development. Ross Hill and Gerry Crossan, of the Crossan Group in the LMB’s PNAC Division, have recently found that these cells need a specific form of DNA repair, known as crosslink repair, in order to develop normally. The findings have been published online in Nature Genetics on July 31, 2019.
Germ cells (sperm and eggs) constitute the pipeline that passes on the genetic instructions to make a new organism.
Activation of lysosomes allows worms to live longer and may protect against neurodegenerative diseases
Ageing is a growing problem for society, particularly because of the associated increased risk of developing disease. Understanding how we might be able to live healthier for longer is a key goal of medical research. The nematode worm C. elegans is a commonly used model for studying the changes that take place as animals age.
Insights into how KAP1 silences viral origin DNA in our genomes
Our genome contains DNA from ancestral retroviral infections. These stretches of DNA are not usually harmful unless the cell’s normal ability to regulate them is lost, then their expression can potentially lead to disease. Yorgo Modis’ group, in the University of Cambridge Molecular Immunity Unit at the LMB, have solved the structure of a master regulator of integrated retroviral DNA, KAP1, providing mechanistic understanding into the function of KAP1 in silencing retroviral insertions.
Functionalized graphene sheets on gold grids aid structure determination by electron cryo-microscopy
With the ‘resolution revolution’ of recent years, it should in principle be possible to determine atomic resolution structures of any proteins using electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM). However, in practice, preparation of frozen samples that are suitable for high resolution imaging is a barrier to progress.