Facial expressions

The title of the video, “Ghost in your Genes”, is very appropriately titled because it discussed the various appearances of phenotypic differences among organisms with identical genomes. In the mid to late 1900s, scientists were convinced that DNA sequences were solely responsible for every trait evident in organisms. After the human genome experiment, which involved compiling and analyzing genomes of thousands of different people, it was determined that humans have around 25,000 genes, far…

identified in different cancer types, including medulloblastoma (MB). Notably, overexpression of minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins 2, 3 and 7 is associated with migration and invasion in MB. In this study, we provide a more comprehensive mRNA expression profiling of a larger set of pre-RC elements in different MB cell lines and tumor tissues. Our results show that pre-RC elements are significantly overexpressed in the majority of MB cell lines and tumor tissues. Notably, MCM10 shows the…

in the retinal pigmented epithelium. Transmission by the eye is performed by the retina and the optic nerve. Lastly, display is specific to the visual cortex (Cvekl and Ashery-Padan 2014). Clearly, a lot of regulation must take place within the expression of genes in order for the eye to develop all of…

which results in a valine to glutamate substitution at residue 600. This mutated form of the BRAF gene has been found to disrupt the hydrophobic interactions in between the activation loop and the ATP binding site, which results in a constitutive expression of MEK, and ultimately transcription factors that perpetuate cellular differentiation, cellular proliferation, and cellular survival7. Research has determined that these mutations involving either the RET/PTC and BRAF mutation do not…

The apterous gene mutations is a recessive trait that is inherited causing a varying phenotypes such as different wing deformities. Other phenotypes observed are the decrease in life span and female sterility. Ap is required to regulate gene expression needed for the development of Drosophila wings and haltere discs. Decreased ap activity due to the overexpression of dLMO results in wing mutations. The phenotypes displayed in apterous mutants are places them at a disadvantage compared to wild…

The variation could be inherited and be a part of the studied individual and therefore even be in its germline. This is called transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and proofs that epigenetic markers can be inherited, even though it is not exactly understood how (Rakyan et al. 2011b). Also, Stochastics are an important factor in epigenetic variation. If the variation occurs early, like in the utero, it can affect the whole body of the individual, but If it occurs after birth or later in life…

Functions of protein TP53 TP53 has a general name called tumor suppressor protein p53. Tp53 has many names such as phosphoprotein p53, cellular tumor antigen p53, tumor suppressor p53, antigen NY-CO-13, or transformation-related protein 53 (TRP53). Also, TP53 has also been referred to as the guardian of the genome [19]. In 1979, scientists first observed the gene by using SDS-PAGE and found it has a size of about 53-kilodalton (kDa). The location of the TP53 gene is at chromosome 17, at…

The micro RNA 374a directly targets and suppresses the multiple negative regulators of the Wnt-B catenin signaling such as WIF1, PTEN, and WNT5A. The inhibition of B-catenin signaling by the DKK1 or the SFRP1 protein overexpression reduces the expression of breast epithelial markers. An accumulation of B-catenin in the primary tumors further emphasizes the essential role of B-catenin in the process of metastasis. The canonical Wnt/B catenin signaling pathway is initiated when the Wnt ligands…

Recombinant Angiostatin and Endostatin are naturally occurring polypeptides that are found several animal species and in humans. Angiostatin is produced by the cleavage of plasminogen and endostatin is formed by the splitting of collagen XVlll. Its main functions are being endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis that had been shown to reduce tumours size in murine models. They both are currently still being studied and undergoing clinical trials. Angiogenesis is defined as the development of new…

All genes of living organisms are translated into proteins according to a single genetic code. Eighteen out of the twenty amino acids are encoded by multiple codons, called synonymous codons. If the ultimate goal of protein translation is to produce the encoded amino acid, each synonymous codon should be used equally. Interestingly however, biased usage among synonymous codons occurs in organisms like Escherichia coli and yeast. Codon usage bias refers to the fact that some synonymous codons are…