RNA methyltransferases such as METTL3, METTL14, WTAP, and VIR can catalyze the methylation of the N6 position of adenylate (M6A) and are opposed by demethylases which include FTO and ALKBH5.

The nucleosome consists of an octamer composed of four histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) and a DNA entangled with 147 base pairs. The core of the histones constituting the nucleosome are roughly the same, but the free N-terminus can be subjected to various modifications.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Marker

The endoplasmic reticulum is a membrane-bound organelle that is critical to the proper sorting and folding of proteins. Improperly folded proteins are normally allowed to refold into their functional conformation, and if not possible to repair, these unfolded proteins are directed to be degraded to prevent damage to the cell. The P4HB gene encodes a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) that catalyzes both the formation of disulfide bonds, which form between cysteine residues to stabilize protein structure, and isomerization between or within molecules of secreted proteins. To achieve the natural conformation, this process takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum, so P4HB is often used as an ER marker. Studies on the oxidative folding mechanism indicate that molecular oxygen can oxidize the ER protein Ero1, and Ero1 can oxidize PDI through a disulfide bond. After this activity, PDI catalyzes the folding of proteins to form disulfide bonds.

Ebola outbreaks are considered rare, but they do emerge every several years and can be quite lethal. Although the first confirmed Ebola epidemic was in 1976, we still lack licensed therapeutics to prevent and control Ebola’s spread. Vaccine development is in the works, but the lack of an approved treatment is a chilling reminder that we may not know enough about the virus. With the recent outbreaks in mind, we sought to summarize everything you should know about Ebola, its biology, and the current progress of vaccine development.

The extracellular signal-regulated kinases, or ERK1/2 (MAPK1/MAPK3, p44/42MAPK), are signaling molecules belonging to the mitogen-activated protein kinase family (MAPKs) that are commonly located in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. In concert with various other molecules in the signaling cascade acting under different surface or intracellular receptors, ERK1/2 act as catalysts in the phosphorylation of serine/threonine and are negatively regulated by the bispecific (Thr/Tyr) MAPK phosphatase family (called DUSP or MKP) and specific inhibitors to MEK activity (such as U0126 and PD98059).

When I began my science journey as an undergrad, research seemed rigorous, but reassuringly straightforward in its tenets. Observe, question, hypothesize. Predict, test, analyze. And repeat. It made perfect sense to me that if you followed this protocol and remained unbiased in the process, great discoveries were sure to come.

But then I learned about the other steps in between. Steps like grant-writing, worrying about publishing and impact factors, getting your mentor to actually respond, and struggling to troubleshoot experiments. Twitter’s PhD community seems to relate.