Molecular Biology
Study identifies DHX29 as a key factor linking codon choice to selective silencing of inefficient genetic messages in human cells
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Researchers at Kyoto University and RIKEN report that human cells can detect “non-optimal” synonymous codons—alternative three-letter genetic instructions that encode the same amino acid but are translated less efficiently—and selectively suppress the corresponding mRNAs. In experiments described in Science, the team identifies the RNA-binding protein DHX29 as a central component of this codon-dependent control of gene expression.
Researchers have discovered genes that duplicated before the last universal common ancestor of all life, offering insights into evolution's earliest stages. These universal paralogs, present in nearly every organism, suggest protein production and membrane transport were among the first biological functions. The findings, published in Cell Genomics, highlight how ancient genetic patterns can reveal pre-LUCA history.
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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.
Researchers at MIT have found that the genome's three-dimensional structure does not fully disappear during cell division, as long believed. Instead, small loops known as microcompartments remain intact and even strengthen, potentially explaining brief gene activity surges in mitosis. This discovery challenges traditional views of how cells maintain genetic regulation across divisions.