Proteins can be reversibly phosphorylated – phosphate groups are added to proteins by the action of kinase enzymes and can be removed by phosphatases. This controls a huge variety of cellular processes and targeting phosphorylation thus offers a board range of therapeutic opportunities. Indeed, kinases have received much attention in pharmaceutical research, yet phosphatases have […]
Insight on Research
Reprogramming gene expression with small molecules
When cells divide, they must accurately copy their genetic material (DNA) and also ensure that their pattern of gene expression is maintained – genes that were ‘on’ before the cell divides need to remain on in the daughter cell, and genes that were ‘off’ need to remain off. These patterns of gene expression are determined […]
A new tool to study neural networks
Neural networks, circuits of neurons, are emerging as the fundamental computational unit of the brain and it is becoming progressively clearer that neural network dysfunction is at the core of a number of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Yet our ability to target and study specific neural networks remains limited. Until now Rabies virus, which can […]
First atomic structures of Tau filaments from Alzheimer’s disease brain
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common neurodegenerative disease, is characterised by the formation of filamentous Tau protein inside nerve cells and amyloid-beta peptides outside cells. Despite more than three decades of research into Tau filaments from a range of different neurodegenerative diseases, atomic structures were still lacking. Now, research by the groups of Sjors Scheres in […]
First 3D structure of the complete human dynein
Dyneins are a family of motor proteins that move along microtubules to transport various important cargos, including proteins and RNAs, to different parts of the cell and are crucial to correct cell function. Gradually, the structure of various components of dynein have been revealed. Now work by Andrew Carter’s group in the LMB’s Structural Studies […]
Dynamic structure of human DNA repair enzyme, ATM, revealed
The DNA in cells is constantly damaged by both internal activities of the cell and by external factors such as ionising radiation. In order to function correctly, this damage must be repaired, or if it cannot be repaired, the cell must be killed to prevent development of diseases such as cancer. The large protein kinase, […]