Dynamic Mapping of the Methylproteome Using a Chemoenzymatic Approach.

Dynamic protein post-translational methylation is essential for cellular function, highlighted by the essential role of methylation in transcriptional regulation and its aberrant dysregulation in diseases, including cancer. This underscores the importance of cataloging the cellular methylproteome. However, comprehensive analysis of the methylproteome remains elusive due to limitations in current enrichment and analysis pipelines.

Ectopic transcription due to inappropriately inherited histone methylation may interfere with the ongoing function of terminally differentiated cells.

How mutations in histone modifying enzymes lead to neurodevelopmental disorders is unknown. We took advantage of the invariant embryonic lineage and adult nervous system in C. elegans to investigate a double mutant between spr-5/Lsd1/Kdm1a (H3K4me1/2 demethylase) and met-2/Setdb1 (H3K9 methyltransferase).

Characterization of long G4-rich enhancer-associated genomic regions engaging in a novel loop:loop 'G4 Kissing' interaction.

Mammalian antibody switch regions (∼1500 bp) are composed of a series of closely neighboring G4-capable sequences. Whereas numerous structural and genome-wide analyses of roles for minimal G4s in transcriptional regulation have been reported, Long G4-capable regions (LG4s)-like those at antibody switch regions-remain virtually unexplored. Using a novel computational approach we have identified 301 LG4s in the human genome and find LG4s prone to mutation and significantly associated with chromosomal rearrangements in malignancy.

Comparative analysis of expression and secretion of placental leptin in mammals.

Increased plasma level of leptin appears to be a ubiquitous feature of pregnant mammals. The mechanisms by which leptin levels are increased may be species specific, however, with some species upregulating adipose leptin production and others expressing leptin in the placenta. Placental leptin expression was examined in representative species of the two most abundant mammalian orders, Rodentia and Chiroptera, and in cultured human choriocarcinoma (BeWo) cells.