Polycomb-mediated methylation on Lys27 of histone H3 pre-marks genes for de novo methylation in cancer

Many genes associated with CpG islands undergo de novo methylation in cancer. Studies have suggested that the pattern of this modification may be partially determined by an instructive mechanism that recognizes specifically marked regions of the genome. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis, here we show that genes methylated in cancer cells are specifically packaged with nucleosomes containing histone H3 trimethylated on Lys27. This chromatin mark is established on these unmethylated CpG island genes early in development and then maintained in differentiated cell types by the presence of an EZH2-containing Polycomb complex. In cancer cells, as opposed to normal cells, the presence of this complex brings about the recruitment of DNA methyl transferases, leading to de novo methylation. These results suggest that tumor-specific targeting of de novo methylation is pre-programmed by an established epigenetic system that normally has a role in marking embryonic genes for repression.     

Prof. Zhu Zuoyan Met with the INRA Delegation

Prof. Zhu Zuoyan, Vice President of NSFC, met with the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA) delegation led by its Deputy Director General, Prof. Guy Riba on Jan. 18, 2007.     

Novel Fluorene-thiophene Copolymers and Polymer Blends for Photonic Devices

1 Results In this contribution we deal with photophysical and photoelectrical study of novel fluorene-thiophene copolymers, and thiophene-based oligomers and polymers, the syntheses of which are reported in our other contributions. Information about electronic structure of the polymers was obtained from cyclic voltammetry and absorption spectroscopy. The absorption of the polymers under study covers the whole visible region; the low band-gap polymer (Eg=1.35 eV) exhibited the long-wavelength absorption ...     

灰铸铁的应力屈服曲面及其三维热弹塑性应力解析

对原有的灰铸铁件应力屈服曲面进行了合理的简化,使其在理论上合理,工程应用上更为方便。建立了灰铸铁件三维非稳态热弹塑性应力场的有限元方法。以灰铸铁哑铃件为对象,用新屈服曲面对其应力发展过程进行了模拟,且比较了用新旧屈服面计算得到的结果。     

德国将彻底改造原民主德国的科研体系

科学顾问委员会花了一年的时间对原民主德国遗留下来的科学与研究体系进行了摸底、评价和鉴定。它提出的重新布局的建议将影响深远。