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.
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.