International Cooperation

Cell: Identification of a Novel Type of Histone Modification

Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) play a crucial regulatory role in diverse biological processes, such as cell differentiation and organismal development, and that aberrant modification of histones contributes to a variety of diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases. There are around 95 known histone marks that have been discovered in the past several decades. An international team led by Prof. Yingming Zhao at Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, together with scientists from the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS (SIMM), University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Université Joseph Fourier, and Stanford University, discovered a novel type of histone mark- lysine crotonylation. By using an integrated, mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach, they identified 130 PTM sites on human histones, including 67 novel histone marks. This research has not only increased the number of known histone modifications by 70%, but also identified one new type of histone mark, lysine crotonylation (Kcr), a novel and evolutionarily-conserved histone PTM. The unique structure and genomic localization of Kcr suggest that it is mechanistically and functionally different from a well known histone mark-lysine acetylation. They further showed that histone lysine crotonylation marks either active promoters or potential enhancers, and is a specific mark of active sex chromosome-linked genes in post-meiotic male germ cells. This study therefore reveals an important novel mechanism of epigenetics and the novel histone marks provide a stepping stone for the future studies of these pathways in cellular physiology and diseases. This achievement was recently published online in the November 16 issue of Cell. Shortly after publication, this research was highlighted by Nature Reviews Genetics and will be published in its November issue. Dr. Yingming Zhao, senior author of this paper, was recruited recently by SIMM as an adjunct faculty member, who will co-direct its newly established Chemical Proteomics Center (CPC). The CPC, founded in July, 2011, aims to develop mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies for comprehensive analysis of protein targets of PTM regulatory enzymes and biomarker discovery for personalized medicine.

MOU Renewed btwn CAS and the Netherlands

Li Jiayang, Vice President of CAS, met visiting Mr. Halbe Zijlstra, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science on Aug. 31. Li Jiayang and halbe Zijlstra both confirmed the progress since the bilateral agreement of cooperation signed between the two parties in 2008, and hoped to further strengthen and expand the existing cooperation. After the meeting, Li Jiayang and Halbe Zijlstrar renewed the MOU on S&T representing CAS and the Dutch Ministry respectively.

Nobel Laureates Beijing Forum 2011 Held

The Nobel Laureates Beijing Forum 2011 sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC) and the Beijing Municipal Government was held from Sep. 28 to 30 in Beijing. Ten Nobel Prize Laureates, including Robert A. Mundell, John Nash, Carlo Rubbia, etc. and Chris Llewellyn Smith, member of the UK Royal Society attended the Forum. Chen Zhili, Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, Li Wei, Director General of DRC, and Guo Jinlong, Mayor of Beijing were present at the opening ceremony. Fang Xin, member of the CAS presidium chaired the opening ceremony and delivered a speech entitled “Strengthening Capacity Building to Promote Innovation and Development” at the forum.