Molecular Biology
Researchers redefine how key motor protein helps chromosomes align
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Researchers at the Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb report that the protein CENP-E plays a crucial role in stabilizing the earliest attachments between chromosomes and microtubules during cell division, rather than mainly acting as a motor that pulls chromosomes into place. The work, described in two studies in Nature Communications, revises long-standing models of chromosome congression by linking CENP-E’s function to Aurora kinases and suggesting implications for understanding diseases marked by chromosome segregation errors.
Scientists at Aarhus University have demonstrated that the building blocks of proteins can form naturally in the harsh conditions of deep space. Through lab simulations of interstellar environments, researchers found that amino acids link into peptides under extreme cold and radiation. This discovery suggests life's chemical ingredients may be more widespread in the universe than previously thought.
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Scientists have proposed a theoretical model explaining how living cells could produce their own electrical signals through tiny movements in their membranes. This mechanism, driven by active molecular processes, might mimic neuronal activity and influence ion transport. The findings could inform bio-inspired materials and deepen understanding of cellular functions.