Immunoaffinity purification of endogenous proteins from for post-translational modification and protein interaction analysis.

Protein regulation by post-translational modifications and protein-protein interactions is critical to controlling molecular pathways. Here, we describe an immunoaffinity purification approach in . The protocol uses an endogenously-expressed epitope-tagged protein and can be applied to the identification of post-translational modifications or protein binding partners.

Identification of novel synaptonemal complex components in C. elegans.

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a tripartite protein scaffold that forms between homologous chromosomes during meiosis. Although the SC is essential for stable homologue pairing and crossover recombination in diverse eukaryotes, it is unknown how individual components assemble into the highly conserved SC structure. Here we report the biochemical identification of two new SC components, SYP-5 and SYP-6, in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Function of the MYND Domain and C-Terminal Region in Regulating the Subcellular Localization and Catalytic Activity of the SMYD Family Lysine Methyltransferase Set5.

SMYD lysine methyltransferases target histones and nonhistone proteins for methylation and are critical regulators of muscle development and implicated in neoplastic transformation. They are characterized by a split catalytic SET domain and an intervening MYND zinc finger domain, as well as an extended C-terminal domain. contains two SMYD proteins, Set5 and Set6, which share structural elements with the mammalian SMYD enzymes.

Choose Your Own Adventure: The Role of Histone Modifications in Yeast Cell Fate.

When yeast cells are challenged by a fluctuating environment, signaling networks activate differentiation programs that promote their individual or collective survival. These programs include the initiation of meiotic sporulation, the formation of filamentous growth structures, and the activation of programmed cell death pathways. The establishment and maintenance of these distinct cell fates are driven by massive gene expression programs that promote the necessary changes in morphology and physiology.