Duke Scientists Identify Silenced Genes
Researchers at Duke University have identified a large group of “silenced genes” which could help determine who will develop chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes or epilepsy.
These silenced genes, which scientists refer to as imprinted genes, can be inherited from either the mother or the father and only occur in animals which produce live births. Usually two complete sets of active genes are present in offspring but, in some cases, molecular signaling tells certain genes to remain inactive or silent.
That means if one copy of a gene mutates and stops working properly due to environmental factors or other causes, there is no backup to compensate for the problem.
As the team’s leader explained, having imprinted genes is like flying a two-engine plane with one engine cut off — if the active gene breaks down and the other copy is silenced, the person’s biological systems can crash making them more susceptible to diseases or other health conditions like obesity.
Using a computer program that analyzes DNA sequences, the Duke researchers mapped 156 imprinted genes and validated the presence of 40 others discovered in previous studies.
The scientists hope the new information will provide clues on how behavioral or environmental factors impact people who are genetically predisposed to health problems and prompt further studies on how genetic sequences are turned on and off.
If you’d like to learn more about Duke’s imprinted gene study, their findings have been published in the online edition of Genome Research.
Source: wcco.com
Related Links: Discovery Channel; digitaljournal.com; FOXNews.com
Related Podcast: Epigenetic Regulation of Genomic Imprinting from University of Washington Television
Tags: Randy L. Jirtle; Alexander J. Hartemink; Philippe P. Luedi; Fred S. Dietrich; Duke University Medical Center; oncogene; biopolar disorder; KCNK9; DLGAP2; chromosome 8; Durham; North Carolina
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