Monday, July 31, 2017

The Reason Human Cells Preserve the Correct Amount of Chromosomes.


According to Science Daily, researchers have discovered an important factor during cell division which helps keep human cells in maintaining the correct amount of chromosomes. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London had identified two specific proteins, very tiny, that helps attach the chromosomes and micro tubules correctly. They have found out that these proteins task is very important when it comes to the connection between chromosomes and micro tubules because without or lack of these proteins causes a gain or lost of a chromosome which then affects the human cell indefinitely. Aneuploidy is the term when the cell concludes with the incorrect amount of chromosomes. But, with the finding of this great discovery, this could be the solution towards ending aneuploidy once and for all. The two identified proteins are Aurora-B kinase and BubR1-bound PP2A phosphatase which counteract with each other to successfully give the correct amount of chromosomes for human cells. Aurora kinase adds phosphate groups to the cell while BubR1 removes phosphate groups. In addition, they help control the connection between the micro tubules and chromosomes. Dr Viji Draviam is the senior lecturer in structural cell and molecular biology from QMUL's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences. He has conducted this research with a group of students and discovered this significant breakthrough. Dr. Draviam stated "By contributing to a molecular understanding of the chromosome segregation process, this work will support future development of predictive markers or drug targets for a variety of disorders linked to irregular chromosome numbers." which could mean that prevention of chromosomes and genetic diseases will slowly decay and the future of human cells is looking bright.

1 comment:

  1. This finding can be really key to fighting some of the various trisomy disorders that we know of, most notably Downs syndrome( Trisomy 21). Great stuffs.

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