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Artist’s rendition of orange DNA coiled around a blue histone protein.
“Cryptic Transcription”: How Aging Cells Express Fragments of Genes
Aging cells with weakened gene regulation spuriously transcribe RNAs, but their impact on health and longevity still needs to be examined.
“Cryptic Transcription”: How Aging Cells Express Fragments of Genes
“Cryptic Transcription”: How Aging Cells Express Fragments of Genes

Aging cells with weakened gene regulation spuriously transcribe RNAs, but their impact on health and longevity still needs to be examined.

Aging cells with weakened gene regulation spuriously transcribe RNAs, but their impact on health and longevity still needs to be examined.

transcriptional regulation

electron micrograph of grey cancer cell, with two red T cells stuck to the side
Translation of “Jumping Genes” Creates Cancer Therapy Targets
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Mar 29, 2023 | 4 min read
Researchers find many tumor-specific antigens form when cancer genes and transposable elements link up.
An artist’s rendition of transcription inside a nucleus
Hypertranscription by Tumors Is Linked to Poorer Cancer Outcomes: Study
Sophie Fessl, PhD | Dec 13, 2022 | 3 min read
The extent to which transcription is higher in tumor cells than in surrounding nontumor cells is associated with bad prognoses in several cancer types.
zebrafish in an aquarium
Epigenetics May Remember Ancestors’ Mutations
Holly Barker, PhD | Dec 1, 2022 | 4 min read
Parents’ mutations, even if they’re not inherited by offspring, could affect subsequent generations through changes to epigenetic marks, a study finds.
A black and brown ant stands over various sizes of whitish purple, oval shaped larvae and yellow, oblong eggs
A Single Transcription Factor Changes Ants to Queens
Abby Olena, PhD | Nov 5, 2021 | 3 min read
The transcription factor can also drive the opposite transition depending on which hormone activates it, according to a new study.
Conceptual image of gene expression in DNA
Enhancers: Conserved in Activity, Not in Sequence
Jack J. Lee | Nov 1, 2021 | 8 min read
Certain stretches of DNA that regulate gene expression have evolved differently from protein-coding genes.
Abstract illustration of DNA
Signaling Dynamics Fine-Tune Gene Expression
Ruth Williams | Sep 3, 2021 | 3 min read
The dynamic behavior of a transcriptional activator can be used to specify the activity level of its target gene, a study suggests.
Left-Handed DNA Has a Biological Role Within a Dynamic Genetic Code
Rachel Brazil | Jun 1, 2020 | 10+ min read
Once considered an unimportant curiosity, Z-DNA is now recognized to provide an on-the-fly mechanism to regulate how an RNA transcript is edited.
Infographic: DNA Isn’t Always Right-Handed
Rachel Brazil | Jun 1, 2020 | 1 min read
When the nucleic acid spirals to the left, it takes on a zig-zag shape known as Z-DNA that appears to regulate RNA editing.
Image of the Day: Switch Gears
Sukanya Charuchandra | Sep 10, 2018 | 1 min read
A gene responsible for the free-moving, primitive nature of fetal cells is expressed in some breast cancer cells in mice and humans.
Paused RNA Polymerase Quashes New Initiation of Transcription
Shawna Williams | Oct 1, 2017 | 2 min read
Pauses may help cells fine-tune gene expression.
The Role of DNA Base Modifications
Skirmantas Kriaucionis | Sep 1, 2017 | 10+ min read
Researchers are just beginning to scratch the surface of how several newly recognized epigenetic changes function in the genome.
Infographic: The Various Forms of Methylated DNA
Skirmantas Kriaucionis | Aug 31, 2017 | 1 min read
To expand the basic nucleotide alphabet, many species modify their DNA with epigenetic marks.
Nuclear Pores Come into Sharper Focus
André Hoelz and Daniel H. Lin | Dec 1, 2016 | 10 min read
Solving a long-standing structural puzzle will open the door to understanding one of the cell’s most enigmatic machines.
With CRISPR, Scientists Make Neurons From Fibroblasts
Kerry Grens | Aug 15, 2016 | 1 min read
Researchers use the CRISPR/Cas system to express three transcription-factor genes, changing the identities of mouse cells.
Exercise Boosts Telomere Transcription
Anna Azvolinsky | Jul 27, 2016 | 3 min read
Endurance exercise and metabolism are linked to transcriptional activation of human telomeres, researchers propose.
Another Role for ApoE?
Ashley P. Taylor | Jan 20, 2016 | 3 min read
Key Alzheimer’s disease–related protein may be a transcriptional regulator.
Fearless about Folding
Anna Azvolinsky | Jan 1, 2016 | 9 min read
Susan Lindquist has never shied away from letting her curiosity guide her research career.
Shingo Kajimura: Fishing for Answers
Karen Zusi | Nov 1, 2015 | 3 min read
Assistant Professor, Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco. Age: 39
CRISPR–Enabled Epigenome Editing
Kerry Grens | Apr 6, 2015 | 1 min read
Researchers apply the genome-editing technology to alter histones at distant gene enhancers, controlling gene expression.
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