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A study by researchers from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and Universidad de Murcia has found that some bacterial proteins are very similar to human proteins. Specifically, the research details the similarities between HMGA and histone H1, human protein Card and two bacteria. All of them perform functions related to
the formation of DNA and gene expression. The research is published in PNAS.

Histone H1 and HMGA are among the most abundant proteins of the nucleus of the cell above, including human cells. Between a dynamic set of DNA binding is important for the conformation of DNA and to regulate the expression of numerous genes. Defects in the function of these proteins are associated with several diseases, including various types of tumors.

The researchers had already discovered a bacterial protein similar to human HMGA, which he called Card, which is present in the bacterium Myxococcus Xanthus, which regulates various cellular processes. Now the team has identified the bacteria Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans protein functionally equivalent to another card, instead of HMGA resemble, resembling histone H1.

Using genetic engineering and molecular biology has discovered that both proteins are type H1 or HMGA are interchangeable in the various processes involved in cellular protein Card.

Subramanian Padmanabhan researcher, who works at the Institute of Physical Chemistry Rocasolano (CSIC), highlights some findings: "We found that even the human HMGA proteins and H1 protein can replace the protein from bacteria and maintain their normal activity. This demonstrates a functional equivalent of type HMGA proteins and histone H1 kind and provides new insights into the game between the two functional proteins, which is important in regulating many processes in higher cells.

The study involved researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry Rocasolano (CSIC) and the group of Molecular Genomics, University of Murcia, a unit associated with the CSIC.