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Analyses ofDrosophila melanogasterpolytene chromosomes elucidate the interconnections between gene expression, genome organization into topologically associated domains (TADs) and the structures of euchromatin and heterochromatin.
Recent studies have changed our understanding of the prevalence and biological significance of DNAN6-adenine methylation (6mA) in eukaryotes. This modification is involved in regulating transcription, transposable elements and epigenetic inheritance, and thus can be considered to be a eukaryotic epigenetic mark.
Microtubule plus ends and minus ends accumulate specific sets of proteins that can regulate microtubule dynamics, connect microtubules to cellular structures and recruit signalling molecules that collectively control cellular behaviour. Our knowledge of the factors that associate with microtubule ends, and the mechanisms through which they do this, has strongly increased in recent years.
Plant genomes encode diverse small RNAs, such as microRNAs, secondary siRNAs, heterochromatic siRNAs and various RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, DICER proteins and ARGONAUTE proteins. Together, these constitute several genetic and epigenetic silencing pathways with diverse cellular and developmental functions, in processes including reproductive transitions, genomic imprinting and paramutation.
Membrane and soluble secretory proteins are glycosylated in the endoplasmic reticulum. The addition ofN-linked glycans is important for protein folding and quality control, whereas O-linked mannoses have distinct functions in protein quality control. Recent studies have revealed the complexity of these glycan-directed modifications in protein biogenesis and degradation.
Lipids tailor membrane identities and function as molecular hubs in all cellular processes. The development of pioneering technologies, including affinity-purification lipidomics and the liposome microarray-based assay (LiMA), will enable researchers to decipher protein–lipid interactions and enhance our understanding of how lipids modulate protein function and structure.