Michael D. Blower
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View article: Role of the SAF-A/HNRNPU ATPase and RGG domains in X chromosome inactivation, nuclear dynamics, transcription, splicing, and cell proliferation
Role of the SAF-A/HNRNPU ATPase and RGG domains in X chromosome inactivation, nuclear dynamics, transcription, splicing, and cell proliferation Open
The SAF-A/HNRNPU gene encodes an abundant nuclear protein conserved throughout vertebrates, and is mutated in individuals with HNRNPU syndrome, a neurological human disease. SAF-A is important for maintaining lncRNA localization, splicing,…
View article: Reductive death is averted by an ancient metabolic switch
Reductive death is averted by an ancient metabolic switch Open
SUMMARY Biguanides, including metformin, the world’s most prescribed oral hypoglycemic, extend health-span and lifespan in vertebrates and invertebrates. Given the widespread use and apparent safety of metformin, it is assumed that its eff…
View article: A minimum module for positioning the Chromosomal Passenger Complex at the cell center for cytokinesis
A minimum module for positioning the Chromosomal Passenger Complex at the cell center for cytokinesis Open
The Aurora B kinase-containing Chromosomal Passenger Complex (CPC) is an essential regulator of cytokinesis, the final and irreversible step of cell division. During anaphase, the CPC concentrates at the spindle midzone - a bundle of overl…
View article: Metal stress uncouples early pre-rRNA processing from ISR activation and reveals flexible checkpoints in human ribosome biogenesis
Metal stress uncouples early pre-rRNA processing from ISR activation and reveals flexible checkpoints in human ribosome biogenesis Open
Ribosome synthesis is one of the most energy-intensive processes in a growing cell, consuming more than 60% of cellular energy reserves. As such, ribosome biogenesis is highly sensitive to stress to prevent costly expenditures under advers…
View article: Role of the SAF-A/HNRNPU SAP domain in X chromosome inactivation, nuclear dynamics, transcription, splicing, and cell proliferation
Role of the SAF-A/HNRNPU SAP domain in X chromosome inactivation, nuclear dynamics, transcription, splicing, and cell proliferation Open
SAF-A/HNRNPU is conserved throughout vertebrates and has emerged as an important factor regulating a multitude of nuclear functions, including lncRNA localization, gene expression, and splicing. Here we show the SAF-A protein is highly dyn…
View article: Robust CENP-A incorporation in human cells is independent of transcription and cohesin components
Robust CENP-A incorporation in human cells is independent of transcription and cohesin components Open
Centromeres are essential chromosomal components that ensure proper cell division by serving as assembly sites for kinetochores, which connect chromosomes to spindle microtubules. Centromeres are marked by the evolutionarily conserved cent…
View article: Role of the SAF-A SAP domain in X inactivation, transcription, splicing, and cell proliferation
Role of the SAF-A SAP domain in X inactivation, transcription, splicing, and cell proliferation Open
SAF-A is conserved throughout vertebrates and has emerged as an important factor regulating a multitude of nuclear functions, including lncRNA localization, gene expression, and splicing. SAF-A has several functional domains, including an …
View article: The mammalian midbody and midbody remnant are assembly sites for RNA and localized translation
The mammalian midbody and midbody remnant are assembly sites for RNA and localized translation Open
Long ignored as a vestigial remnant of cytokinesis, the mammalian midbody (MB) is released post-abscission inside large extracellular vesicles called MB remnants (MBRs). Recent evidence suggests that MBRs can modulate cell proliferation an…
View article: Dynamic redistribution and inheritance of chromatin:RNA interactions during cell division
Dynamic redistribution and inheritance of chromatin:RNA interactions during cell division Open
During interphase, the nucleus contains a multitude of transcripts that influence the function of chromatin and global structure of the nucleus. Nuclear transcripts include nascent mRNAs in the process of transcription and mRNA processing,…
View article: Differential nuclear import regulates nuclear RNA inheritance following mitosis
Differential nuclear import regulates nuclear RNA inheritance following mitosis Open
The authors investigate inheritance of nuclear RNA by G1 cells following mitosis. They find that multiple pathways regulate differential inheritance of nuclear RNAs.
View article: The midbody and midbody remnant are assembly sites for RNA and active translation
The midbody and midbody remnant are assembly sites for RNA and active translation Open
The midbody (MB) is a transient structure at the spindle midzone that is required for cytokinesis, the terminal stage of cell division. Long ignored as a vestigial remnant of cytokinesis, we now know MBs are released post-abscission as ext…
View article: The midbody and midbody remnant are assembly sites for RNA and active translation
The midbody and midbody remnant are assembly sites for RNA and active translation Open
The midbody (MB) is a transient structure at the spindle midzone that is required for cytokinesis, the terminal stage of cell division. Long ignored as a vestigial remnant of cytokinesis, we now know MBs are released post-abscission as ext…
View article: Elongin A associates with actively transcribed genes and modulates enhancer RNA levels with limited impact on transcription elongation rate in vivo
Elongin A associates with actively transcribed genes and modulates enhancer RNA levels with limited impact on transcription elongation rate in vivo Open
Elongin A (EloA) is an essential transcription factor that stimulates the rate of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription elongation in vitro. However, its role as a transcription factor in vivo has remained underexplored. Here we show th…
View article: Cell division requires RNA eviction from condensing chromosomes
Cell division requires RNA eviction from condensing chromosomes Open
During mitosis, the genome is transformed from a decondensed, transcriptionally active state to a highly condensed, transcriptionally inactive state. Mitotic chromosome reorganization is marked by the general attenuation of transcription o…
View article: Genome-wide analysis identifies <i>cis</i> -acting elements regulating mRNA polyadenylation and translation during vertebrate oocyte maturation
Genome-wide analysis identifies <i>cis</i> -acting elements regulating mRNA polyadenylation and translation during vertebrate oocyte maturation Open
Most cells change patterns of gene expression through transcriptional regulation. In contrast, oocytes are transcriptionally silent and regulate mRNA poly(A) tail length to control protein production. However, the genome-wide relationship …
View article: Prophase removal of chromosome-associated RNAs facilitates anaphase chromosome segregation
Prophase removal of chromosome-associated RNAs facilitates anaphase chromosome segregation Open
During mitosis, the genome is transformed from a decondensed, transcriptionally active state to a highly condensed, transcriptionally inactive state. Mitotic chromosome reorganization is marked by the general attenuation of transcription o…
View article: Genome-wide analysis identifies <i>cis</i>-acting elements regulating mRNA polyadenylation and translation during vertebrate oocyte maturation
Genome-wide analysis identifies <i>cis</i>-acting elements regulating mRNA polyadenylation and translation during vertebrate oocyte maturation Open
Changes in gene expression are required to orchestrate changes in cell state during development. Most cells change patterns of gene expression through transcriptional regulation. In contrast, oocytes are transcriptionally silent and use ch…
View article: Cohesin removal reprograms gene expression upon mitotic entry
Cohesin removal reprograms gene expression upon mitotic entry Open
Summary Entering mitosis, the genome is restructured to facilitate chromosome segregation, accompanied by dramatic changes in gene expression. However, the mechanisms that underlie mitotic transcriptional regulation are unclear. In contras…
View article: Centromere Biology: Transcription Goes on Stage
Centromere Biology: Transcription Goes on Stage Open
Accurate chromosome segregation is a fundamental process in cell biology. During mitosis, chromosomes are segregated into daughter cells through interactions between centromeres and microtubules in the mitotic spindle. Centromere domains h…
View article: The RNA-binding complex ESCRT-II in Xenopus laevis eggs recognizes purine-rich sequences through its subunit, Vps25
The RNA-binding complex ESCRT-II in Xenopus laevis eggs recognizes purine-rich sequences through its subunit, Vps25 Open
RNA-binding proteins (RBP) are critical regulators of gene expression. Recent studies have uncovered hundreds of mRNA-binding proteins that do not contain annotated RNA-binding domains and have well-established roles in other cellular proc…
View article: Polo-like kinase-dependent phosphorylation of the synaptonemal complex protein SYP-4 regulates double-strand break formation through a negative feedback loop.
Polo-like kinase-dependent phosphorylation of the synaptonemal complex protein SYP-4 regulates double-strand break formation through a negative feedback loop. Open
The synaptonemal complex (SC) is an ultrastructurally conserved proteinaceous structure that holds homologous chromosomes together and is required for the stabilization of pairing interactions and the completion of crossover (CO) formation…
View article: Author response: Polo-like kinase-dependent phosphorylation of the synaptonemal complex protein SYP-4 regulates double-strand break formation through a negative feedback loop.
Author response: Polo-like kinase-dependent phosphorylation of the synaptonemal complex protein SYP-4 regulates double-strand break formation through a negative feedback loop. Open
Article Figures and data Abstract eLife digest Introduction Results Discussion Materials and methods References Decision letter Author response Article and author information Metrics Abstract The synaptonemal complex (SC) is an ultrastruct…
View article: <i>Xenopus</i>Piwi proteins interact with a broad proportion of the oocyte transcriptome
<i>Xenopus</i>Piwi proteins interact with a broad proportion of the oocyte transcriptome Open
Piwi proteins utilize small RNAs (piRNAs) to recognize target transcripts such as transposable elements (TE). However, extensive piRNA sequence diversity also suggests that Piwi/piRNA complexes interact with many transcripts beyond TEs. To…
View article: ESCRT-II controls retinal axon growth by regulating DCC receptor levels and local protein synthesis
ESCRT-II controls retinal axon growth by regulating DCC receptor levels and local protein synthesis Open
Endocytosis and local protein synthesis (LPS) act coordinately to mediate the chemotropic responses of axons, but the link between these two processes is poorly understood. The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) is a …