Thousands of programmable DNA-cutters found in algae, snails, and other organisms

AI SummaryScientists at MIT’s McGovern Institute have identified thousands of programmable DNA-cutting enzymes called Fanzors, which are found in a diverse range of species. Fanzors are RNA-guided enzymes that can be programmed to cut DNA at specific sites, similar to the widely used gene-editing system CRISPR. This discovery provides scientists with a wide set of… Continue reading Thousands of programmable DNA-cutters found in algae, snails, and other organisms

Cleavage of VAMP2/3 Affects Oligodendrocyte Lineage Development in the Developing Mouse Spinal Cord

AI SummaryCleavage of VAMP2/3 proteins impairs the development of oligodendrocytes and myelination in mice. This study highlights the importance of VAMP2/3 in regulating the maturation of oligodendrocytes and myelin formation.In the developing and adult CNS, new oligodendrocytes (OLs) are generated from a population of cells known as oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). As they begin to… Continue reading Cleavage of VAMP2/3 Affects Oligodendrocyte Lineage Development in the Developing Mouse Spinal Cord

Evaluation of Kdo-8-N3 Incorporation into Lipopolysaccharides of Various Escherichia coli strains

AI SummaryThe text describes the use of a compound called Kdo-8-N3 for metabolic labeling of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structures on the cell membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The authors explored the variability in LPS labeling using Kdo-8-N3 in different E. coli strains and serotypes. Different extents of labeling were observed, and the majority of labeled LPS was… Continue reading Evaluation of Kdo-8-N3 Incorporation into Lipopolysaccharides of Various Escherichia coli strains

Individual neurons mix multiple RNA edits of key synapse protein, study finds

AI SummaryA new study by neurobiologists at The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory reveals that RNA editing of a protein called complexin 7A can significantly affect how well it regulates the release of the neurotransmitter glutamate in neurons. The study found that individual neurons can have up to eight different editions of complexin 7A,… Continue reading Individual neurons mix multiple RNA edits of key synapse protein, study finds