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Certain human cancers and carcinogen-induced rodent tumors commonly contain Kras2 mutations. This activated form of ras has always been described as a dominant oncogene. A new study indicates that wildtype Kras2 has properties of a tumor suppressor gene and may have the capacity to reduce the transforming potential of oncogenically activated ras.
The scientific process, and scientific progress, require a critical examination of all published reports. Recent publications detailing errors in the draft human genome sequence are an integral part of our quest to better understand nature and demonstrate the value of free access to scientific data.
Biogenesis of eukaryotic mRNA requires several post-transcriptional processing steps that must be completed accurately before it can be exported. Several processing factors are known to associate with RNA polymerase II during elongation, thereby positioning them to mediate efficient RNA processing. mRNAs are exported as complexes containing several RNA-binding proteins and other proteins. A recent study indicates that some of these packaging proteins also associate with RNA polymerase II during transcription. This suggests close coordination and mechanistic coupling of the events required to produce and export functional mRNAs.
Regeneration of rod visual pigments after photobleaching requires a protein called Rpe65. Several studies clarify its role in visual physiology and pathology, including a new one that shows it is required pigment regeneration in cone cells.
