Highlights from the February 2010 Issue of DNA and Cell Biology

Abstract

M any processing steps and molecules are involved in the formation of a mature mRNA. In previous work, Malatesta and colleagues noted an accumulation of perichromatin fibrils, structures on the borders of condensed chromatin where splicing and 3' end processing of RNA transcripts occurs, in liver cells of old rats. As various age-related diseases are linked to changes in mRNA processing, Malatesta and coworkers further characterized this phenomenon in ''Perichromatin Fibrils Accumulation in Hepatocyte Nuclei Reveals Alterations of PremRNA Processing During Aging.'' Malatesta et al. report changes in amounts and=or distribution of pre-mRNA transcription and bromouridine incorporation in adult versus old rat liver cells as well as differences in the presence of transcription, splicing and cleavage factors, and polyadenylated RNA in their article in this month's issue of DNA and Cell Biology. Reminder: Applied Genomics Special Issue of DNA and Cell BiologyIn an upcoming special issue of DNA and Cell Biology, we will highlight advances in applied genomics in a variety of model systems and experimental approaches including identification of possible contributions of gene polymorphisms in human disease, new analytical tools for gene annotation, and monitoring gene expression changes in communities. We welcome your submissions of review articles or original research papers. All manuscripts must be received by March 1, 2010, for consideration for inclusion in the special issue. For more information, please contact the editorial office (dnacellbio@bact.wisc.edu). -Jo HandelsmanEditor-in-Chief Yale University Reference Malatesta, M., Biggiogera, M., Cisterna, B., Balietti, M., Bertoni-Freddari, C., and Fattoretti, P. (2010). Perichromatin fibrils accumulation in hepatocyte nuclei reveals alterations of pre-mRNA processing during aging. DNA Cell Biol 28, 49-57.