Skip over navigation
The Hospital
Research
Support Us
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Home
Français
Directions & Maps
Contact Us
About Us
Vision and Strategic Directions
Board Chair and CEO Message
Leadership Team
Annual Reports
Facilities
Research Data Management
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Wellness
Our Research
Priorities, Programs and Diseases
Researcher Profiles
National Research Networks
Scientific Publications
Research Awards
Technology Transfer
Industry Sponsored Research
Responsible Innovation
For Students & Fellows
News & Events
Newsroom
Seminars & Events
Career Opportunities
For Patients
News & Events
Home
>
News & Events
>
Newsroom
Bookmark or Share
Display Options
Display Options
+
Increase
/
-
Decrease
font size
High contrast version
Printer-friendly version
Newsroom
Seminars & Events
Newsroom
Researchers find protein that keeps DNA from collapsing
August 17, 2016
As the cells in our bodies divide to make new ones, DNA is split apart and copied. In a paper published in
Cell Death and Disease
,
Dr.
David Picketts
and his team found that a protein called ATRX can keep this replicating DNA from collapsing when it hits a temporary roadblock. This allows replication to restart, and cell division to finish successfully. In developing tissues that rapidly divide like the muscles, brain and reproductive system, such protection by ATRX is critical for normal development. These findings are important because children with mutations of the ATRX gene have a severe intellectual disability disorder characterized by a small head, weak muscles and problems with the development of the reproductive system. A thorough grasp of the function of ATRX will lead to a better understanding of this genetic condition and provide avenues for possible therapies.
Authors:
M.S. Huh, D. Ivanochko, L.E. Hashem, M. Curtin, M. Delorme, E. Goodall, K. Yan, D.J. Picketts
Funding:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Cancer Research Society, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation
The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion
The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care.
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca
For further information, please contact
Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca
Tags:
Brain and neuromuscular disease
,
Intellectual disabilities