Press releases
Internal communication within genes stimulates gene expression
Scientists from the Centre for mRNP Biogenesis and Metabolism have described a mechanism through which the beginning and the end of a gene communicate, which leads to a more efficient process of gene expression. The study provides deeper insight into the fundamental processes that drive and regulate gene expression in human cells – an insight that is crucial for understanding and in turn controlling human genetic diseases.
In a study published in Molecular Cell in December 2010, scientists from the Department of Molecular Biology describe a functional interaction between the first and the final step of gene transcription – processes that were previously believed to be both spatially and temporally separated. The study was mainly performed in Professor Torben Heick Jensen’s laboratory by Senior Scientist Søren Lykke-Andersen and Postdoctoral Fellow Christophe Mapendano.
The drawing on the right illustrates the research
New research reveals a molecular mechanism that improves gene expression and thereby cell survival
Scientists from Centre for mRNP Biogenesis and Metabolism have discovered a new "molecular torpedo" mechanism, which discards toxic genetic information floating around inside our cells. The discovery adds to a growing list of sophisticated ways in which cells can protect themselves by "cleaning up" the results of sloppy gene expression that - if left unattended - would otherwise contaminate the cell interior and disturb normal growth and development. A detailed understanding of such quality control systems serves to delineate basic principles underlying human gene expression programmes and facilitates drug development and medical intervention.
The work was carried out by postdoc Silvia Jimeno-González, research assistant Line Lindegaard Haaning, postdoc Francisco Malagon and centre director Torben Heick Jensen, and published in Molecular Cell in February 2010.
New knowledge may lead to the development of future antibiotics
Researchers at the mRNP centre have published a paper in Cell in December 2009 describing a detailed structural and biochemical analysis of the bacterial endonuclease, RelE, as it binds to and cleaves mRNA on the 70S ribosome. Based on the results, a detailed molecular model for catalysis is presented.
Revelation of previously hidden transcription activities in the human genome
Researchers from the Centre for mRNP Biogenesis and Metabolism have revealed a hitherto unobserved layer of activity of the human genome. This discovery promises to revise our understanding of how genetic information is processed and how this process is regulated. The study was published in Science in December 2008.
Danish-Swiss research collaboration sheds new light on vital cellular process
Danish and Swiss scientists have joined forces in revealing a key basic principle behind a cellular process that protects our cells against a frequently occurring mutation involved in the progression of 1/3 of all known mutation-based human diseases. The finding may be important for the future development of targeted medicine.
Read the article in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology published in January 2009
Reversed coupling in gene expression revealed by mRNP scientists
Aarhus scientists have revealed a molecular mechanism – reversed coupling in gene expression – which keeps intron-containing genes at a high level of activity. The research results are published in the prestigious American journal Molecular Cell on February 1, 2008.
Read the article in Molecular Cell
Molecular mechanism behind quality control of gene expression revealed
Research carried out at the Centre for mRNP Biogenesis and Metabolism has revealed a new molecular mechanism in gene expression underlying the quality control of so-called mRNPs. The article Nuclear mRNA Surveillance in THO/sub2 Mutants Is Triggered by Inefficient Polyadenylation was published in Molecular Cell 31(1):91-103.
Read the article in Molecular Cell
THO complex and Sub2p helicase functionally implicated in transcription and mRNP biogenesis
The THO complex and Sub2 RNA helicase have been shown to function in both transcription and mRNA processing. mRNP scientists have uncovered evidence that THO/Sub2 coordinates mRNA processing and nuclear export.
Read the article in Cell
Structure of the Exon Junction Core Complex revealed
Researchers at centre for mRNP Biogenesis and Metabolism have determined the three-dimensional structure of the core of the human Exon Junction Complex (EJC) in complex with an RNA substrate. The structure explains how the ATPase eIF4AIII is held in a prehydrolysis state and how activation might occur.
Read the article in Science