Biochemists make inflammatory responses breakthrough

Biochemistry experts from the University of Zurich have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of inflammatory responses, shedding light on previously unclear biological mechanisms.

Previous research has found that during an inflammatory response, the protein ARTD1 is removed from the DNA in order to mount an effective defence response. However, how this biological mechanism works was previously unclear.

Veterinary biochemists and molecular biologists from the University of Zurich have found that ARTD1 is cut into two pieces by molecular scissors, which enhances gene expression. This new discovery sheds light on this important mechanism, and could be a crucial development for new anti-inflammatory drugs.

ARTD1 is a protein which has the potential to regulate the expression level of genes through its interaction with DNA. This is important because when cells detect warning signals or foreign bodies like bacteria and viruses in their surroundings, the expression profile of genes changes and an inflammatory response is triggered.

In order to change gene expression, ARTD1 is removed from particular sites of the DNA. This process has, until now, remained elusive. However the team, headed by Professor Michael O. Hottiger from the Institute of Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Zurich, uncovered how
ARTD1's DNA recruitment is regulated during inflammation, which means that they can influence gene expression as well as the subsequent inflammation.

Their discovery, which has been documented in Molecular Cell, shows how the ARTD1 is cut into two pieces by molecular scissors, the protein caspase 7. This results in the pieces being no longer able to bind to the DNA, which allows for more efficient gene expression.

Professor Hottiger explained: "The cleavage of ARTD1 by caspase 7 during inflammation constitutes a new biological function. It permits a new understanding of inflammatory responses and, in the longer term, may lead to the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs."

This research could impact most diseases considering that inflammation is a usual occurrence. Their results therefore translate to cancer, immune disorders or metabolic syndrome research and more.