Epigenetic Machinery Fights Back! SARS-CoV-2 RNA Modifications Inhibit Replication and PathogenesisSeptember 3, 2024Recent reports have highlighted how SARS-CoV-2 infection and the resulting COVID-19 can turn epigenetics against us; however, new research now reveals that the epigenetic machinery can also help us fight back against viral attacks – in the guise of specific RNA modifications. A team of epigenetic tusslers guided by Yu Chen (Wuhan University) knew of […]
Chrom-seq Uses ‘Readers’ to See Which RNAs Put Epigenetic Marks on ChromatinAugust 20, 2024Reading glasses, or “readers,” help you see text and other fine details up close. Inspired by our desire for increased resolution, a talented team is using histone readers to more clearly see which long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) interact with particular histone modifications. Their method, called Chrom-seq, doesn’t require highly pure antibodies or crosslinking, making it […]
Mitochondrial tRNAs as Epigenetic Memories of Sperm’s Epididymal Road TripJune 24, 2024If Hollywood has taught us anything, it’s that a road trip during our younger years can leave enduring memories that influence our adult lives. Now, a “blockbuster” study reveals that environmental pressures during maturation in the epididymis endow spermatozoa with “epigenetic” memories that influence offspring health via the intergenerational epigenetic inheritance of tRNAs. Researchers “driven” […]
Epigenetics Alone Can Drive Cancer—No Mutations NeededMay 13, 2024Epigenetics has moved into the driver’s seat. In a first-of-its-kind study, a talented team show that knocking down polycomb group proteins in Drosophila causes tumors to form, and bringing the proteins back doesn’t fix it. The finding demonstrates that transient epigenetic changes can irreversibly drive cancer—without genetic mutations. Although we’ve suspected that epigenetic mechanisms could take […]
This is Your Epigenetic Wake Up Call! Don’t Sleep on NAP-seq When Searching for ncRNAsApril 21, 2024Has searching for ncRNAs left you needing forty winks? Maybe take a short rest and dream-a-little-dream, but don’t sleep on a brand new technique known as napRNA sequencing or NAP-seq, which represents a wake-up call to the epigenetics field by providing the ability to describe novel classes of human regulatory non-coding or ncRNAs! Wakey-wakey! RNA […]
Relax and Let NanoSPA Analyze m6A and Ψ RNA Mods for YouFebruary 20, 2024We could all use a spa day once in a while, so light some lavender-scented candles, take a deep breath, and let NanoSPA analyze the RNA modifications in your samples. This new nanopore sequencing analysis pipeline provides data on both N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and pseudouridine (Ψ) modifications at the same time, reducing stress and saving time. Instead […]
Long Non-coding RNAs Conduct a Synaptic Symphony to Orchestrate Fear Extinction MemoryDecember 12, 2023Most epigenetic studies are music to our ears, but do you prefer “The Rolling Histones,” “Run-5mC,” or something more classical while working in the lab? Well, move over rock and hip-hop, as an epigenetic masterpiece now describes how a long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) epigenetically conducts a synaptic symphony to “orchestrate” fear extinction memory. Previous pleasant-sounding […]
The Missing LncRNA: How the Gut Microbiome Communicates with their Host to Regulate MetabolismOctober 23, 2023Bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the mammalian gut microbiome vastly outnumber the cells in the human body; however, the detailed mechanisms these gut-dwelling commensal partners use to communicate with their generous hosts and induce responses represent somewhat of a “missing link” in this research. Now, a new epigenetics-based study shows that we should have been […]
eBook: RNA & TranscriptomicsOctober 13, 2023Analysis of the working of our RNA, from transcription and splicing to translation, began in a simpler time – when we talked about “RNA” and hadn’t yet recognized the whole range of RNA species, including miRNAs, ncRNAs, and more. These days, we are learning as much about the epigenetic modification of RNA and the role […]
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. […]
