The spontaneous aggregation of soluble proteins and the
generation of amyloid fibers poses great challenges to the biomedical sciences,for being the source of serious human degenerative disorders. We need to consider models for understanding the molecular basis and biological significance of the formation of such aggregates.

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To maintain genomic stability, mammalian cells require the action of five proteins encoded by paralogous genes to that of RAD51, a molecule involved in DNA repair, implying orquesrado operation of certain protective mechanisms.

In previous work on RAD51 protein, essential in homologous recombination, has established its relationship to repair mechanisms. Their action, in response to gene damage depends on BRCA2 (protein related to breast cancer) and a series of proteins (RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, XRCC2 and XRCC3), known as the RAD51 paralogues. The paralogy, understood as a degree of specialization adopted by horizontally related genes, can deliver a complete answer to the questions raised in this paper. Read the rest of this entry »

Researchers at the Hospital Ramón y Cajal de Madrid are antibodies against the protein Hsp90 in patients with multiple sclerosis. This central nervous system disease characterized by chronic demyelination of axons and progressive loss of neuronal function, whose cause is yet determined, although recent studies indicated that it is not only from destruction of myelin or oligodendrocytes that produce it, but it is the lack of remyelination and production of new oligodendrocytes that the chronic. Read the rest of this entry »

Insulin is a paradigm of regulation and specific function. Essential anabolic hormone in the adult, seems to have a different role during embryonic development. A group from the Center for Biological Research, CSIC has been characterized step by step this new role. Insulin, as its precursor proinsulin and acting through insulin receptor hybrid with the growth factor insulin-like IGF-I, regulates the process of programmed cell death in the early stages of development of the nervous system stage where this process is, in turn, little studied. Read the rest of this entry »

The yeast MAP kinase Hog1 coordinates the transcriptional program required for cell survival upon osmotic stress, although the mechanisms by which these kinesis regulate gene expression are not clearly defined. The group at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra led by Francesc Posas had already described two different control mechanisms of gene expression by MAP kinesis: direct modification of transcription factors and direct recruitment to specific promoters by the MAP kinase RNA complex Polii. In this new work shows that the MAP kinase Hog1 induces gene expression in response to stress, through a mechanism involving recruitment of the complex of the his tone deacetylase Rpd3-Sin3 to promoters of genes regulated by osmotic stress. Read the rest of this entry »

Biochemistry as a science, is making a trip from physiological conditions to extreme testing environments, in which the behavioral rules derived from the study of hydrated systems may not be valid. One example is DNA chips, popular in genomic studies, based on the assumption (not proven) that the structure of DNA and pattern recognition are equal when the molecule is Now Go in aqueous solution or bound to a cationic membrane . Proteomics, an emerging area of research revolves around the use of mass spectroscopy apparatus, in which the macromolecules are injected into the gas phase at high pressures and temperatures.

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An international collaboration between the Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona Science Park, the Biomedical Research Institute Alberto Sols CSIC and the Institute of Molecular Cardiology Research in Boston, have observed that inhibition of the route of the N-terminal kinase factor c-Jun, implicated in cell proliferation. The inhibitory action of glucocorticoids on the route of this kinase (JNK) represses the transcription factor AP-1, which is part of c-Jun. The term AP-1 (activator protein 1) refers to dimeric transcription factors composed of subunits Jun, Fos or ATF (activating transcription factor) that bind to a common DNA binding, the binding site AP-1 .

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The bacterial conjugation, the main route for horizontal gene transfer to prokaryotes, is a quick way for the evolution of bacterial genomes leading to organisms with new ecological or pathogenic characteristics. The acquisition of antibiotic resistance by pathogens is related to the conjugal transfer of mobile genetic elements. The transfer of genes between kingdoms, from bacteria to plants and fungi, are special cases of conjugation and even in cell division and sporulation, there are similar mechanisms for transfer.

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The hammerhead Ribosome natural, found in some various (small RNA of 250-400 nucleotides able to replicate and cause disease in certain plants), catalyze cis cutting their own oligomeric intermediates generated during replication by rolling circle mechanism. The hammerhead Ribosome, thanks to its structural simplicity, have been manipulated in this study to act in trans as restraining ribonucleases specific RNA, assuming that the similar catalytic behavior in this context is artificial. Read the rest of this entry »

The TAP (tissue plasminogen activator) is the main converter
of plasminogen to plasmin in the brain, where it seems to have a beneficial
role. In fact, it has been used as a drug to reduce brain damage in patients who
have suffered strokes, as in the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin can
dissolve the clots formed. However, you may also have neurotoxic effects, as
reported already in 1998 a team from Harvard Medical School, noting that caused
brain damage in mice the injection of the activator, and can be plasmin
dependent or not.

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