Biopeer

RNA can largely coordinate gene activity

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that RNA can coordinate gene activity across vast portions of the human genome – a cell’s genetic blueprint. The study also suggests that RNA may play an important role in cancer development and stem cell maintenance. The researchers used a new type of gene chip called a tiling array in their study. “We were surprised to find that at least one of these molecules can suppress genes on a completely different chromosome. This opens up the whole genome to potential regulation by ncRNAs,” said Howard Chang, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine. “I like to think of it as genomic scuba diving," said John Rinn, a postdoctoral scholar in Chang's laboratory. "It gives us an up-close, unbiased view of what's actually happening at the chromosomal level." The findings of this study will have important implications for cancer therapies and stem cell research.

Scientists at the Rockefeller University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Cancer Institute found that the protein, ATM, which is vital for helping repair double-stranded breaks in DNA of immune cells, is also a part of a system that prevents damage from being passed on during cell division. The findings of the study show that in the absence of ATM protein, the chromosomal breaks created during a process immune cells undergo called V(D)J recombination go unrepaired, and checkpoints that normally prevent the damaged cell from replicating are lost. “I think it's important to understand them because eventually we might be able to prevent these dangerous chromosome fusions,” said Michel Nussenzweig, Sherman Fairchild Professor and head of the Laboratory in Molecular Immunology.

Powered by Qumana

Brain research reveals amazing possibilities

Researchers from the University of Florida, US, have determined that ordinary human brain cells too could possess the qualities of self-renewal and adaptability normally found in stem cells. After a long study they found that when brain cells taken from epileptic patients were transplanted into mice, bypassing any growth enhancements, the cells were able to produce new neurons. With just one cell, scientists could probably generate enough brain cells to replace every cell of the donor’s brain. Dennis Steindler, PhD, executive director of the University’s McKnight Brain Institute, said that this completely new source of human brain cells “can potentially be used to fight Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and a host of other brain disorders.”

Meanwhile, investigators from St Jude Children's Research Hospital have found an explanation for the resistance of some bacteria to certain antibiotics and pantothenate kinase neurodegeneration, a rare form of childhood brain degeneration. They showed that the version of the enzyme pantothenate kinase used by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus has a "hole" in its structure that lets an antibiotic pantothenamide slip in and disrupt its function. This version of the enzyme is similar to the human one PanK2. Therefore, the structure of this bacterial enzyme helps to explain how specific mutations in PanK2 disable this enzyme and cause the disease. The researchers hope that their findings will help in the development of a drug to prevent or treat the disease.

In Australia, researchers from the University of Tasmania have found a protein that could be crucial in repairing damaged brain and spinal cord cells. The protein ERM is essential to both the growth and repair of damaged central nervous system cells. The discovery is promising as the protein could be used to repair permanent injury.

Powered by Qumana

New developments in the field of cancer cure

Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, have discovered a new molecule that could unravel cancer progression in the body. By identifying the compound called PI-103, the scientists have discovered perhaps the most potent drug yet against a very lethal kind of brain cancer. The study also reinforces the link of kinase inhibitors with cell growth and development in the body. The new compound has shown no drug related toxicity and has proved quite effective against human cancer cells transplanted into mice.

In other developments, Nereus Pharmaceuticals has started phase I clinical trials for its anti-cancer drug compound NPI-0052. The drug compound has been discovered from a marine Gram-positive bacteria named Salinispora sp present in sediments from the ocean floor. It is found to be very effective in curbing growth and reducing tumors size in various animal models. This phase of testing is being carried out on 50 patients with advanced solid tumors at two trial sites. The company also expects to begin clinical trials for the drug with multiple myeloma in the coming months.

In another development, EntreMed Pharmaceuticals has started phase II trials to test the efficacy of its leading drug Panzem in combination with a drug called Avastin made by Genentech. The drug Panzem is a molecule that attacks tumor cells through multiple mechanism of action, while Avastin inhibits angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels develop and carry nutrients to a tumor. Researchers are hopeful that drug therapy combinations will be more fruitful than the traditional therapy of combining chemotherapy or drugs alone.

These developments if successful could bring in a sea of change in cancer treatment and respite to millions of people affected by the disease worldwide.

Scientists unravel dietary fiber genes

Scientists at the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, Waite Campus, University of Adelaide, have succeeded in identifying the genes involved in making a key component of the dietary fiber found in cereals. This is a breakthrough in grain breeding that has come after more than three decades of extensive research by institutes all over the world, and is expected to bring about a new and revolutionary range of health foods. The discovery will enable researchers to increase the amount of fiber in foods with potentially high human health benefits and these could be used to target medical conditions such as colorectal cancer, obesity, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, high serum cholesterol and cardiovascular disease to name a few.

Dietary fiber is found in cereals, fruits and vegetables. It is made up of the indigestible compounds of plants that pass relatively unchanged through our stomach and intestines. The main role of fiber is to provide roughage that keeps the digestive system healthy. It also contributes to other processes, such as stabilizing glucose, lowering cholesterol levels and reducing disease risk.  Recently a research conducted in Toronto, Canada, has been able to develop a combination of natural fibers called PolyGlycoplex or PGX, which helps in reducing weight, stabilizing blood sugar and lowering cholesterol.

Another parallel research has shown that antioxidants in wheat, allied with dietary fiber, are very useful in reducing the risk of colon cancer among humans. All in all, its been understood that dietary fiber is an important factor in preventing various disease and maintaining a healthy life. The new genetic breakthrough coupled with other researches could help in creating better awareness about dietary fiber and formulating a revolutionary healthy diet for people worldwide.

Scientists discover new sources for stem cells

Researchers at the Georg-August University, Gottingen, Germany, have discovered that the normal testes cells of mice can be prompted to turn into different types of tissue such as those of the heart, liver, muscle, skin, pancreas and nerve cells.

What could be a breakthrough in stem cell research is if human cells can be converted into embryonic-like stem cells through the same process. That would pave the way for the development of quality cells to treat diseases without having to destroy or create embryos. The human research could produce tissues that are a perfect match for patients without the moral and immunological problems associated with human embryonic stem cells.

Stem cells are multipurpose cells that have provided high hopes to cure and help in treatment of various major diseases of the world. Even though extensive research has been conducted on the development of stem cells, there is a still lot to learn. A study being conducted at Kiel University in Germany is working on a project to understand these remarkable cells. Under the research, the team has successfully injected foreign genes into the embryos of freshwater polyps. These genetically engineered cells are to be further researched to understand the intricacies and mystery behind these miracle workers.

Recently, Japanese researchers have been able to develop stem cells from the menstrual blood of humans. The stems cells so developed are touted to be used as specialized heart cells that might help treat failing and damaged hearts.

Unraveling of molecular map to facilitate stomach cancer cure

Researchers at the National Cancer Centre (NCC) in Singapore, along with experts from the University of Hong Kong, University of Tokyo and Peter MacCullum Cancer Centre of Australia have come together to develop a molecular map and other similar discoveries that could provide a safer and better cure for stomach cancer.

For this study, the team examined more than 300 cancerous tumor samples. They removed the affected tissue and examined them. In this process they also analyzed more than 20 million interactions among different genes in the affected sample. By going through these interactions, researchers were able to unravel the key molecular changes that cause the cells to divide uncontrollably and concert to intestinal tissue, which is a strong indication of cancerous growth. The research has provided insights into the network of the chain reaction that when turned on leads to cancer. After conducting this extensive research, the team was able to develop a molecular map.

Stomach cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is highly prevalent in China, Japan, Singapore and other Asian countries as well as many European countries. It is caused mostly due to human-environment interactions such as high intake of salts, pickles and smoking etc. Recent studies have indicated that Red Meat and processed meat also leads to stomach cancer. Parallel treatment research in the US has also hinted at a new drug named Sutent that may help control the deadly disease.

The unraveling of the molecular map will enable scientists to understand the exact cause of the deadly disease. It will facilitate early diagnosis and more effective treatment for the disease.

Indo-US study throws light on protein interactions

Researchers at the Institute of Bioinformatics (IOB), Bangalore, and John Hopkins University, US, have created a database of more than 25,000 protein-protein interactions. The study team compared about 25,000 human, 16,000 yeast, 5,500 worm and 25,000 fly protein interactions making this the first large scale study of its kind. It was revealed that of the total 70,000 interactions, only 16 were common to all the four species.

This study has helped scientists in identifying new genes that cause genetic diseases. It sheds light on the different protein interactions that take place inside cells when people are healthy and when they have a disease. Although genes are the blueprints for proteins, it is the proteins that control all our activities. The most startling find of the study is that disease-related proteins – believed to have an important cellular function when working properly – do not necessarily have a high number of interactions with other proteins. Also, proteins encoded by genes affected by inheritable diseases are more likely to interact with proteins known to cause similar disorders. It also shows that the current rapid-testing methods used to identify protein interactions may not be giving the complete and accurate picture.

The database will help researchers to identify the link between different sets of proteins involved in different genetic disorders. This study has also discovered 36 previously unknown protein-protein interactions. The study was conducted by analyzing the database compiled in Human Protein Reference Database (HPRD), developed by IOB and other published literature.

The state government of Karnataka has established the IOB to conduct cutting-edge research in bioinformatics. India is catching up on the biotechnology wave and government is very keen on promoting the same. As a part of its efforts to do so it has recently set up a Genome Valley in Hyderabad, which is slated to become the biotech hub for India.

Closer to understanding the one gene difference

From Medical News Today: Scientists document complex genomic events leading to the birth of new genes

 

Only a small number of genes, specifically Human chromosome 2, separate humans from other primates.  Geneticists have long pondered how we branched off from our cousins.  A team led by Dr Peer Bork has gotten us one step further along that path.

 

Using the powerful tools available today they examined the genomes of several taxa (mouse, rat, roundworm, fruit fly, mosquito, and pufferfish) to look for specific genes in common.  Specifically for evidence of gene duplication, the cornerstone of evolution.

 

They have narrowed the search down to the one gene, but also found 21 other genes of interest as well:

"A thorough functional characterization of the other 21 new genes we've identified in this study would reveal the functionally most relevant areas for primate evolution," Bork says.

 

Now, given that this kind of analysis is possible and has shown positive results, what other applications could be found?  Could this help us narrow down the search for genetic disorders that occur in some primate species, but not others?  Could it lead to unlocking genetic traits like nerve regeneration?

 

The realm of science fiction starts to become science fact.

Powered By Qumana