Biochemical insights into structure and function of arrestins

New insights into nucleolar structure and function

The nucleolus is a non-membrane-bound nuclear organelle found in all eukaryotes. It is the quintessential 'RNA-seeded' nuclear body, forming around specific chromosomal features called nucleolar organizing regions that contain arrays of ribosomal DNA. Assembly is triggered by activation of RNA polymerase I-mediated transcription and regulated in mammalian cells in a cell cycle-dependent manner....

Structure/function insights into Tn5 transposition.

Prokaryotic transposon 5 (Tn5) serves as a model system for studying the molecular mechanism of DNA transposition. Elucidation of the X-ray co-crystal structure of Tn5 transposase complexed with a DNA recognition end sequence provided the first three-dimensional picture of an intermediate in a transposition/retroviral integration pathway. The many Tn5 transposase-DNA co-crystal structures now a...

New Insights into Structure and Function of Type I Collagen

New insights into pectin methylesterase structure and function.

In bacteria, fungi and plants, pectin methylesterases are ubiquitous enzymes that modify the degree of methylesterification of pectins, which are major components of plant cell walls. Such changes in pectin structure are associated with changes in cellular adhesion, plasticity, pH and ionic contents of the cell wall and influence plant development and stress responses. In plants, pectin methyle...

Insights into G protein structure, function, and regulation.

In multicellular organisms from Caenorhabditis elegans to Homo sapiens, the maintenance of homeostasis is dependent on the continual flow and processing of information through a complex network of cells. Moreover, in order for the organism to respond to an ever-changing environment, intercellular signals must be transduced, amplified, and ultimately converted to the appropriate physiological re...