Researchers discovered how the movement of a special protein complex along DNA genes can affect cell division.

The team from Umeå University in Sweden carried out their study on yeast cells and subsequently published their findings in Nucleic Acids Research. Their work explains how a protein complex known as the Mediator decelerates cell division, potentially paving the way for new treatments for certain diseases.

“We have gained in-depth knowledge of how cell division is controlled, which is important for understanding the causes of various diseases that are due to errors in cell division, such as various tumor diseases,” said Stefan Björklund, professor at Umeå University and lead author of the study.

The Mediator, situated within the cell nucleus, attaches to DNA and engages with the Lsm1-7 protein complex to regulate the production of proteins necessary for ribosome assembly. When cells become overly dense, which decelerates cell division, the Mediator shifts toward the ends of genes and interacts with Lsm1-7. This interaction slows gene transcription and delays mRNA maturation, resulting in reduced synthesis of ribosomal proteins and, consequently, slower cell division.

Björklund said their study could prompt future research on how the Mediator’s position can be controlled to hinder cell division in tumors:

“We are still early in the research in the field, so more studies are needed before we can say that this is a viable path, but it is an exciting opportunity.”

Read the full article here to learn more about the role of the Mediator in controlling cell division.

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