Histone Serotonylation Helps Neurons and Astrocytes Collaborate to Kick up a Stink!July 19, 2023We all have those seemingly innocent friends who end up causing trouble when they meet. Now, a study has revealed that astrocytes and neurons – generally the best of buddies – employ an epigenetic mechanism involving histone serotonylation when they get together and “kick up a stink”! A floral-smelling “bunch” of researchers headed by Benjamin […]
HiRES Lets You See Chromatin Structure and Transcription Clearly—At the Same TimeJuly 10, 2023To see clearly, sometimes you just need a good pair of glasses or contacts. Now, Dong Xing’s lab (Peking University) has combined single cell Hi-C and RNA-seq to get a “Hi-RES” picture of chromatin and gene expression from the same cells simultaneously. Sure, separate Hi-C and RNA-seq data from different cells have been combined before, but […]
Dnmt3bas Is Inactive Dnmt3b’s Nemesis, Keeping Its Levels Low via Transcription and SplicingJuly 10, 2023The main character of many movies has a memorable nemesis who can’t help but try to bring them down and get in their way. Now, it turns out that the nemesis of the inactive Dntm3b isoform may just be development’s best friend. Before differentiation, Dnmt3b transcript levels are kept low, but get a boost at differentiation. […]
DNA Methylation Alterations Highlight Drivers of Aggressive Metastatic TumorsJuly 3, 2023The identification and early detection of events driving the metastasis of primary tumors may help identify therapeutic targets and patients that respond to specific therapeutics. Now, an epigenetic study focused on the spread of colorectal cancer to the liver reports DNA methylation as the spark driving metastatic events. Roadworthy researchers led by Euan J. Rodger, […]
Single-cell Epitranscriptomic Mapping of m6A from Small Samples with picoMeRIP-seqJuly 2, 2023Most successful epitranscriptomics studies rely on large amounts of input sample; however, huge findings may also reside in the smallest of specimens, such as zygotes or embryos. Now, a study provides exciting in vivo insight into these microcosms by describing the development of an epitranscriptomic mapping technique for single-cells and rare cell types. While traditional […]
