How the Human Protein REV-ERBβ Responds to Gases
Author Information
Author(s): Pardee Keith I, Xu Xiaohui, Reinking Jeff, Schuetz Anja, Dong Aiping, Liu Suya, Zhang Rongguang, Tiefenbach Jens, Lajoie Gilles, Plotnikov Alexander N, Botchkarev Alexey, Krause Henry M, Edwards Aled
Primary Institution: University of Toronto
Hypothesis
The study investigates how the human nuclear hormone receptor REV-ERBβ is regulated by heme and nitric oxide.
Conclusion
The research reveals that nitric oxide can reverse the transcriptional repression caused by heme-bound REV-ERBβ, suggesting new therapeutic avenues for related diseases.
Supporting Evidence
- REV-ERBβ is a transcriptional repressor that plays a role in circadian rhythms and metabolism.
- Heme binding to REV-ERBβ is reversible and can be influenced by nitric oxide.
- The study provides a crystal structure of the REV-ERBβ ligand-binding domain in complex with heme.
- Gas binding alters the structural states of REV-ERBβ, affecting its transcriptional activity.
- REV-ERB proteins are implicated in various metabolic diseases, including diabetes and inflammation.
Takeaway
This study shows that a protein in our body, called REV-ERBβ, can change its behavior based on the presence of certain gases, which might help us treat diseases like diabetes.
Methodology
The study used crystallography and spectroscopy to analyze the structure and function of the REV-ERBβ protein in response to heme and nitric oxide.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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