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Research published today by a Saint Louis University scientist could lead to a better understanding of how cells develop and could ultimately give insight as to why some cells become cancerous.

Findings by Dr. Ali Shilatifard's laboratory in the department of biochemistry at Saint Louis University, appearing today in the journal Molecular Cell, shed new light on how genes are transcribed. Also participating in Dr. Shilatifard's study was the laboratory of Dr. Mark Johnston at Washington University Medical School.

Transcription is the process by which DNA, our genetic blueprint, is copied into messenger RNA that plays an important role in protein synthesis-creating the cells that make up our bodies. Scientists long have known that certain proteins involved in transcription, known as histones, are "marked" by methylation. What hasn't been understood is the role these markers play in transcription.

"It turns out that some of these markers serve as a kind of roadmap for transcription, identifying which genes have and haven't been expressed," said Dr. Shilatifard. "We've suspected for many years that the markers play an important role in the development of cells, but until now we didn't know what that role was.

"This opens the door for further study of the role these markers play in gene transcription. Once we fully understand how they function in normal cellular development, we can begin to study their role in the development of human diseases."

Also in Molecular Cell today, Dr. Kevin Struhl's laboratory at Harvard Medical School published separate findings that reach the same conclusion as Dr. Shilatifard's research.

Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first M.D. degree west of the Mississippi River. Saint Louis University School of Medicine is a pioneer in geriatric medicine, organ transplantation, chronic disease prevention, cardiovascular disease, neurosciences and vaccine research, among others. The School of Medicine trains physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health services on a local, national and international level.