Skewed oligomers and origins of replication.

Cell Timer/Cell Clock

Like the biological clock in the body, replication of each cell type (even different cells of the same organism) follows a timing program. Abnormal function of this timer could be an alarm for a disease like cancer. DNA replication starts from a specific point on the chromosome that is called the origin of replication. In contrast to prokaryotes in which DNA replication starts from a single ...

A Polymeric Protein Anchors the Chromosomal Origin/ParB Complex at a Bacterial Cell Pole

Bacterial replication origins move towards opposite ends of the cell during DNA segregation. We have identified a proline-rich polar protein, PopZ, required to anchor the separated Caulobacter crescentus chromosome origins at the cell poles, a function that is essential for maintaining chromosome organization and normal cell division. PopZ interacts directly with the ParB protein bound to speci...

The Effect of Chitosan and Chitin Oligomers on Gene Expression and Lignans Production in Linum album Cell Cultures

Background: Linum album, a herbaceous and medicinal plant, has been shown to accumulate anti-tumor podophyllotoxin (PTOX) and related lignans. Objective: In this study, we have verified the time-course of cell growth, lignan production in cells treated with chitosan and chitin oligomers. To study mechanism of chitosan and chitin oligomers action, expression of phenylalanine ammonio-lyase (PAL)...

Application of Oligomers with Urea Linkage as Flame Retardant and Antibacterial Materials in Jute Fabric

Activation of dormant origins of DNA replication in budding yeast.

Eukaryotic genomes often contain more potential replication origins than are actually used during S phase. The molecular mechanisms that prevent some origins from firing are unknown. Here we show that dormant replication origins on the left arm of budding yeast chromosome III become activated when both passive replication through them is prevented and the Mec1/Rad53 checkpoint that blocks late-...