A groundbreaking study from the University of Debrecen has earned both the Count István Tisza Foundation Award and the University of Debrecen Publication Award. The research, led by László Imre from the Institute of Biophysics and Cell Biology, was published in Nature Communications and represents nearly a decade of work in collaboration with Hungarian and international partners.
The study focuses on the histone variant protein H2A.Z, which plays a crucial role in regulating cell functions such as gene transcription, DNA repair, and replication. Importantly, H2A.Z has also been linked to the development of certain tumors, giving the findings clinical significance.
Researchers discovered that a short nine-amino-acid section at the protein’s carboxy-terminal end acts as a molecular “switch,” controlling how tightly DNA is packaged within the nucleus. Blocking this segment can loosen chromatin, making genes more accessible and potentially paving the way for new cancer therapies.
The team also developed a unique automated quantitative imaging cytometry technique to measure DNA packaging within the nucleus, offering new perspectives on chromatin research. Follow-up studies on DNA superhelicity and nucleosome stability are ongoing.
Source: University of Debrecen
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