An international team of scientists analysed the ongoing colonization by two retroviruses of the germline of koalas and resulting deaths from cancer in multi-generational pedigrees of over 100 koalas in US and European Zoos. In the journal Nature Communications, they describe the genome sequencing of the koalas and their analysis of integration in or near genes involved in cancer, new germline integrations within a single generation, and deaths from cancer caused by the retroviral integration. Based on this work, the scientists calculated genetic risk scores (GRS) that can help guide koala breeding programs and thereby benefit koala conservation efforts.

The FXYD proteins (FXYD domain-containing ion transport regulators) are a family of seven distinct proteins that play crucial roles in regulating Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) activity. Each of these proteins is characterized by a conserved 35-amino-acid FXYD domain, essential for their functions, and exhibits tissue-specific expression, contributing to diverse roles in various tissues.

Research over the years has highlighted the role of the FXYD proteins in regulating numerous physiological processes, including ion transport, neuronal activity, cell adhesion, and migration; conversely, their altered expression has been implicated in the progression of various diseases, such as cancer, neurological, cardiovascular, and renal diseases, and others. Understanding the FXYD proteins and their underlying regulatory mechanisms may therefore aid in identifying novel therapeutic targets.

Scientists have discovered that blocking a key cellular enzyme thought to protect against fatty liver disease may instead increase the risk of chronic liver damage and cancer as we age.

A research team at The University of Osaka revealed that the loss of heterochromatin can cause a chain reaction leading to genetic changes and the subsequent development of diseases including cancer. Using fission yeast, the study specifically found that loss of Clr4, which encodes a methyltransferase, can induce an increase in R-loop levels at pericentromeric repeats, and the later conversion of R-loops into ADR-loops can prompt gross chromosomal rearrangements.

Researchers used Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold2 and ProteinMPNN to speed development of antibody-based probes that can be used to see key functions and chemical changes inside living cells as they happen. This AI-driven method is significantly faster than previous manual testing and development approaches, allowing the CSU team to rapidly create and test 19 new potential probes. The work enables continuous imaging of living cells, which may help researchers better understand errors in genetic expression that can lead to cancer and other disorders.  

Head and neck cancer trials are frequently derailed before they can deliver answers. A new analysis suggests that the most common reasons are sponsor decisions related to safety or effectiveness and poor patient recruitment.