Long Lasting Effects of Trauma in Sperm Long RNAsNovember 21, 2018Long-ing for an explanation for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance via sperm? Well at long last long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are giving us some insight. Studies have shown that sperm DNA methylation and small non-coding RNA (ncRNA) content mediate the transmission of life experience to subsequent generations, especially parental stress. In fact, early life stress is one […]
Smooth as Silc1: A ncRNA Lnc to Nerve RegenerationNovember 6, 2018When it comes to nerve damage, the mammalian peripheral nervous system (PNS) is arms and legs ahead of the central nervous system (CNS) in its ability to regenerate damaged neurons. While neuroscientists already knew that the PNS has an innate ability to express pro-regenerative transcription factors after injury, a new paper has the nerve to […]
Extra! Extra! Read All About It! – Study of Extra-Telomeric Roles of hTR Uncovers Histone mRNA-Mediated Telomere Homeostasis!November 6, 2018When it comes to our telomeres, we are often left with the feeling that a little bit extra is better. However, a new article which just crossed our paths had a little bit of “extra” that turned our heads: a study of the extra-telomeric functions of the human telomerase RNA component (hTR). hTR contains a […]
Not Just Monkey Business: circRNAs are Dynamic in the Aging Non-Human Primate BrainSeptember 28, 2018While we tend to grow out of monkey business and running in circles as we grow older, exciting new profiles of brain circular RNA (circRNA) dynamics during normal aging have emerged thanks to these two youthful tactics. This insightful research into non-human primates comes from the groups of Jiali Li (University of the Chinese Academy […]
Neurons Make the Most of m6A mRNA MethylationAugust 29, 2018Move over DNA methylation, take a seat histone modification, it’s time to make room for RNA methylation. When you think of the importance of epigenetics to brain function and cognition, you probably think of well characterized changes DNA methylation, histone marks, and ncRNA. Well you better make some room in your own neural networks, because […]
The Epididymosome’s Small ncRNA Payload is Critical to Sperm Maturation and Embryonic DevelopmentAugust 21, 2018A coming-of-age can be beautiful thing. Along with all the exciting responsibilities that accompany maturity comes a celebration in many cultures but perhaps most memorable to all who have been through one are the gifts. Now, it seems that sperm are no exception as during their maturation process they acquire the gift of small ncRNAs […]
A microRNA and Histone Methylation Cascade Links TGF-β Signaling to Senescence and AgingJuly 10, 2018While knowing the start- and end-points of a journey is all well and fine, without studying the route taken, we may miss some exciting opportunities; a drink in an enchanting country pub, a picturesque stroll by the shores of a beautiful lake, or as a recent study has demonstrated, a potential treatment for aging? Let’s […]
Junk Drawer No More: LINE-1 RNA Functions as a Chromatin Scaffold Critical to Early DevelopmentJune 26, 2018Do you have a junk drawer at your house? Perhaps it’s full of old take-out menus, dead batteries, rubber bands, and other purposeless things? Since their discovery, transposable elements, including the LINE-1 retrotransposon, have been relegated to the “junk drawer” of the human genome. At best LINE-1 has been called useless, and at worst it […]
Mammalian MicroRNA Travels into the Unknown Territory of the Nucleus to Epigenetically Silence Gene ExpressionJune 9, 2018While we are accustomed to seeing soccer players stroking a ball up and down grassy white-lined pitches and actors waltzing down the red carpet wearing a sharp suit or a stunning dress, we occasionally read news of these mammalian “celebrities” spending time in what could be deemed “unknown territory”, such as the corner store or […]
Elegant C. elegans Study “Drops” in to Show How Liquid Droplet Formation Mediates Epigenetic InheritanceMay 28, 2018While some studies may appear as drops in the scientific ocean, a drop-dead gorgeous paper on epigenetic inheritance recently made us all drop our guard! Although studies have established transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI) across several generations in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans and the critical role of non-coding RNAs, we have yet to unravel the […]
