In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from UNSW Sydney, the intricate process of methylation has been completely elucidated for the first time. Published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research sheds light on the pivotal role that methylation plays in protein formation.
Methylation, a biochemical process, involves the attachment of a small molecule called a methyl group to DNA, proteins, or other molecules, thereby “tagging” them. This tagging mechanism exerts influence over cellular behavior, such as stimulating the growth and differentiation of stem cells.
Dr. Joshua Hamey and Professor Marc Wilkins, affiliated with the School of BABS, have meticulously defined the proteins within yeast cells that carry methyl groups, identified the locations of these tags, and unraveled the machinery responsible for their attachment.
“While certain aspects of cellular functions have been thoroughly understood for some time, such as the DNA sequence of various genomes,” explains Dr. Hamey, lead author of the study, “other systems, such as the chemical tagging of proteins within cells, have remained largely unexplored.”
Using a systematic approach that involved an exhaustive review of existing literature on methylation, the duo has reached the remarkable conclusion that we possess extensive knowledge of this process, with very few aspects left unexplored.
“We have proposed an almost complete understanding of this system,” remarks Dr. Hamey. “Although it suggests that there is limited additional detail to be discovered in this area, it opens up thrilling new inquiries into the overall system and the functions of this methylation tag.”
Does the quest for knowledge ever end?
“Our research aims to comprehend how cells process information and make decisions,” explains Prof. Wilkins. “This is crucial, as cells constantly make decisions to adapt to environmental changes, alter their activities, sustain growth, or even undergo cell death.”
It has long been known that proteins within cells can be marked with small molecules that serve as units of information or data. However, until now, the quantity of each protein tag and the machinery responsible for their placement within any given cell remained a mystery.
The methylation system encompasses enzymes that modify specific proteins by attaching a methyl group, effectively “tagging” them. The addition of methyl groups can impact the actions of various molecules in the body, and alterations in methylation patterns within genes or proteins can influence an individual’s susceptibility to certain diseases, including cancer.
“For a significant period, we have been actively investigating this particular type of cell modification, methylation, with a focus on yeast as a model organism for human and animal cells,” Prof. Wilkins remarks.
Over the years, Prof. Wilkins, Dr. Hamey, and their fellow researchers have made numerous discoveries regarding this process. However, they gradually reached a point where fewer and fewer new features were being identified.
“At a certain stage, the more we delved into it, the fewer unknown aspects we found,” says Dr. Hamey. “The existing belief in this field is that there is always more to uncover. However, this paper challenges that notion.”
Defining the methylation system
Systematically analyzing all existing literature on methylation in yeast, Dr. Hamey and Prof. Wilkins have devised a method to catalog the evidence supporting or refuting the existence of undiscovered elements within the biological system of methylation.
In any methylation process, there exists a connection between two proteins—the enzyme carrying the methyl group and the protein being methylated—forming the core unit of this system. “Therefore, if there were more to be discovered, there would essentially be an interaction between these two proteins that remains unknown,” explains Dr. Hamey.
“Using our understanding of this connection, we cataloged existing evidence to determine whether there are additional unknown connections—and if so, how many.”
Through this systematic approach, they concluded that the methylation process in yeast is essentially fully understood.
Regulating cell growth and behavior
A significant number of methylation events are vital for controlling a cell’s response to external signals and intracellular signaling. These processes play a critical role in governing the state of the cell, particularly the machinery responsible for protein synthesis.
“As a result of our comprehensive review, we can assert that this system primarily revolves around controlling the cell’s protein synthesis, which is central to its overall functionality,” Dr. Hamey explains.
Attaining a comprehensive understanding of methylation and its indispensable role in protein synthesis opens up new possibilities for controlling various aspects of cell growth and behavior.
“Our focus was on yeast cells, which share many similarities with human cells but are easier to study. The findings have direct implications for manipulating yeast in domains like brewing, baking, biofuel production, and even the potential treatment of yeast and fungal infections in patients, such as candidiasis and tinea,” says Prof. Wilkins.
“Furthermore, now that we possess this comprehensive map, we can systematically investigate why this system evolved and how it functions in controlling fundamental biological processes,” Dr. Hamey adds. “These are the questions that we are currently pursuing.”
Reference: “The protein methylation network in yeast: A landmark in completeness for a eukaryotic post-translational modification” by Joshua J. Hamey and Marc R. Wilkins, 30 May 2023, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215431120
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about methylation
What is methylation?
Methylation is a biochemical process where a small molecule called a methyl group is attached to DNA, proteins, or other molecules, influencing cellular behavior and protein synthesis.
What did the researchers from UNSW Sydney achieve?
The researchers from UNSW Sydney fully delineated the process of methylation, providing a comprehensive understanding of the system in yeast cells. They identified the proteins carrying methyl groups, the locations of these tags, and the machinery responsible for their attachment.
What are the potential applications of this research?
This groundbreaking study opens up new inquiries and potential applications in various fields such as baking, brewing, biofuel production, and disease treatment. The complete understanding of methylation may aid in controlling aspects of cell growth and behavior.
How does methylation affect cellular behavior?
Methylation plays a crucial role in influencing cell behavior, including the growth and differentiation of stem cells. It also regulates cellular responses to external signals and controls the machinery responsible for protein synthesis.
Is there more to be discovered about methylation?
The research suggests that the process of methylation is essentially fully understood in yeast cells. However, it raises exciting new questions about the system as a whole and its evolutionary origins, prompting further investigations into its function in controlling biological processes.
More about methylation
- UNSW Sydney: Link to UNSW Sydney website
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: Link to the research article
- Methylation: Link to information about methylation
- Stem Cells: Link to information about stem cells
2 comments
wow, scientst find methylation, so cool! taggin stuffs with methyl group, afects proteins & DN, cell behaivor, stem cells growin! gonna have new aplicashuns in baking n brewin, maybe even cure diseases!
gr8 news! researchr from UNSW Sydney show us how methylation work. they found proteins wit methyl groups, know where they go. now we know lots bout methylation, help us control cells and protein makin. excitin stuff!