Gene Offers Clues to New Treatments for a Harmful Blood Clotting Disorder (IMAGE)

Penn State

Gene Offers Clues to New Treatments for a Harmful Blood Clotting Disorder

Caption

Shown in blue is chromatin -- the condensed form of DNA that the cell remodels to form chromosomes. The PAD4 enzyme decondenses chromatin by loosening up the interaction between DNA and special proteins called histones. The histones modified by PAD4 shown here in fuchsia. This process helps to form both a bacteria-killing NET -- which is comprised of infection-combatting white blood cells called neutrophils -- and the fluffy, scattered ball that comprises a blood clot.

Credit

Wang lab, Penn State University, originally published in Wang, Y., et al. 2009. <i>J. Cell Biol.</i> doi:10.1083/jcb.200806072

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