Chromosomes are structures that carry genes in all our cells. Every human cell has 46 chromosomes. In the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, DNA is highly folded and compacted with specific proteins into a dynamic polymer called chromatin. Gene expression, chromosome division, DNA replication, and repair all act, not on DNA alone, but on this chromatin template. The discovery that enzymes can (re)organise chromatin into accessible and inaccessible configurations revealed mechanisms that considerably e ....Chromosomes are structures that carry genes in all our cells. Every human cell has 46 chromosomes. In the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, DNA is highly folded and compacted with specific proteins into a dynamic polymer called chromatin. Gene expression, chromosome division, DNA replication, and repair all act, not on DNA alone, but on this chromatin template. The discovery that enzymes can (re)organise chromatin into accessible and inaccessible configurations revealed mechanisms that considerably extend the information potential of the genetic code. In addition, it is now established that chromatin structural features can influence gene expression. In vitro studies support a model in which chromatin functions as a barrier for the access to DNA. Therefore this organization has to be tighly regulated and dynamic to allow the protein-DNA interactions critical for nuclear functions. Importantly genome organisation provides in addition to genetic information another layer of information, so called epigenetic, which by definition means that it is stably inherited throughout cellular divisions, yet it is not encoded genetically. Thus each cell type will display a specific epigenome. We have recently constructed small human minichromosomes, which are much easier to study than the much larger normal chromosomes. The present project proposes to define the epigenetic feature across an entire human chromosome using our minichhromosomes as working models. The outcome will be a significant gain in our knowledge on the processes underlying epigenetic regulation, the organisation of specialised chromatin domain, and behaviour of the chromosomes.Read moreRead less
Salt (sodium) is an essential electrolyte. Our convincing and complementary findings provide compelling evidence for a link between evolutionarily ancient “instincts” and substance abuse. This proposal is translational, including studies in opiate dependent humans. Our studies will establish how and where in the brain endogenous opioids are implicated in the gratification of salt appetite, how salt appetite is altered in opiate dependency and if salt appetite recovers following opiate withdrawal
Salt And Cardiovascular Disease: Does Acute Salt-Sensitivity Convey Greater Cardiovascular Risk?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,578.00
Summary
Salt intake of Australian adults is 10X more than required. Further, salt intake in very young children is alarmingly high secondary to high consumption of salty snacks and processed food. High dietary salt intake has been associated with increased cardiovascular disease and death. We will examine the cardiovascular risks for adults and children on a high salt diet and examine whether switching to a low salt diet ameliorates the high blood pressure and heart disease caused by high salt diets