When a bacterial cell divides, the cell membrane and cell envelope have to pinch together in the middle of the cell to separate it into two daughter cells. A ring of proteins called the divisome constricts, cleaving the cell in two. The protein FtsZ is a crucial component of this ring and many FtsZ subunits […]
Insight on Research
Golden grids for electron cryo-microscopy
Recent exciting advances in electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) have allowed scientists to find very detailed structures of some proteins. Still, determining the structure of many proteins remains too difficult for cryo-EM, as the images are too noisy to use for structure determination. Lori Passmore and Chris Russo from the LMB’s Structural Studies Division have designed new […]
Signposts for organelle identity – new Rab GTPase effectors found
Cells contain specialised membrane-bound compartments called organelles, which are vital to the cell as they allow it to separate different biochemical reactions that otherwise might interfere with each other. To function correctly, these intracellular compartments need to recruit proteins from the cytoplasm, and since every organelle has a specific role, each one needs a particular […]
Structure of human dynein shows the powerstroke mechanism
Dyneins are a family of motor proteins that move along microtubules powered by chemical energy from ATP. Andrew Carter and his group in the LMB’s Structural Studies Division have solved the structure of a dynein protein bound to a chemical that mimics the shape of ATP, and have shown for the first time how the […]
Evolution of catalysis: alternatives to nature’s molecules
Life on Earth depends on catalysis. Chemical transformations essential for cellular function are too sluggish to happen spontaneously at ambient temperatures and pressures, thus nature has developed myriad catalysts (enzymes) that accelerate the many key reactions necessary for life. Today, proteins are largely responsible for this role, although nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), in addition […]
Local brain “clock” revealed for the first time
Specific loss of Bmal1 (green cells) in histaminergic cells (red cells) within the TMN (Images from Prof Bill Wisden lab)It is well known that all animals have an internal circadian clock that responds to daily environmental changes of light and darkness, to inform the body to rest and sleep, or wake and be active. As […]