Scientists
have shed light on a biological process that helps the production of healthy
cells, which may aid understanding of neurological diseases and other
conditions. Researchers
examined a housekeeping mechanism which removes faulty proteins as they form.
This process, which is common to many living things, removes damaged proteins,
preventing their accumulation in cells, tissues and organs.
An
improved understanding of how flaws can occur in protein production could help explain
other diseases, including some forms of anemia and growth retardation.
The
team concentrated on a part of this mechanism that removes proteins that become
stalled part way through their formation. This clears the way for further
proteins to be produced.
Scientists
studied a yeast protein known as Hel2, using UV light to identify where this
protein touches molecules involved in protein production. These interactions
help Hel2 identify flaws in protein formation.
When
researchers removed the parts of Hel2 in direct contact, this prevented the
destruction of faulty proteins, showing that these contacts are important for
the mechanism.
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology
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