Navigation Links
Rare form of active 'jumping genes' found in mammals
Date:1/3/2013

Much of the DNA that makes up our genomes can be traced back to strange rogue sequences known as transposable elements, or jumping genes, which are largely idle in mammals. But Johns Hopkins researchers report they have identified a new DNA sequence moving around in bats the first member of its class found to be active in mammals. The discovery, described in a report published in December on the website of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offers a new means of studying evolution, and may help in developing tools for gene therapy, the research team says.

"Transposable elements are virtually everywhere in nature, from bacteria to humans," says Nancy Craig, Ph.D., a Howard Hughes investigator and professor in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. "They're often seen as parasites, replicating themselves and passing from generation to generation without doing anything for their hosts. But in fact they play an important role in fueling adaptation and evolution by adding variability to the genome."

As their name suggests, jumping genes can move from place to place in the genome, sometimes even inserting themselves into the middle of another gene. Some work by replicating themselves and inserting the copies into new places in the genome retroviruses such as HIV are comprised of this type of jumping gene, which enables the host cell to be hijacked to make more virus particles. Another class of jumping genes, known as "DNA cut-and-paste," doesn't make copies, but instead cuts itself out of one site in the genome before hopping into another. Craig explains that in mammal genomes, most jumping genes are of the copy-and-paste variety, and most of these are fossils, mutated to the point where they can no longer move about. Although some remnants of cut-and-paste jumping genes have been unearthed in mammals, until now, all of them have been inactive.

Craig's team
'/>"/>

Contact: Shawna Williams
shawna@jhmi.edu
410-955-8236
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Embryonic development protein active in cancer growth
2. Dartmouth scientists track radioactive iodine from Japan nuclear reactor meltdown
3. Computer scientists develop an interactive field guide app for birders
4. Fish show autism-like gene expression in water with psychoactive pharmaceuticals
5. A new type of data papers designed to publish online interactive keys identifying biodiversity
6. Weight gain induced by high-fat diet increases active-period sleep and sleep fragmentation
7. Interactive eco-schools
8. Active forest management to reduce fire could help protect northern spotted owl
9. To understand childhood obesity, researchers look to inactive, fat rats
10. New Genetics educational resource promotes active learning
11. Diabetes Management Provider ActiveCare Announces Cost Savings Of Over $4,000 Per Year Per Diabetic Member
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Rare form of active 'jumping genes' found in mammals
(Date:5/23/2013)... DNA around nucleosomes in the cell nucleus makes ... Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich now describes a mechanism ... from nucleosomes for transcription. , In higher organisms ... nucleus, wrapped around disk-shaped particles called nucleosomes, each ... proteins and accommodating two loops of DNA. Packed ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... of the world are billions of animal and plant ... and grasses, all stacked, stored and preserved in jars ... could be critical to understanding how the Earth,s biodiversity ... footprint if only the information were easily accessible. ... the help of a team from the University of ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) investigators also conclude ... mortality with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) versus chest ... primary paper is achievable at experienced screening centers ... more information to share with their patients about ... screening following today,s publication in the New ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Biochemistry: Unspooling DNA from nucleosomal disks 2CU-Boulder helps tap crowds to digitize museum records of bugs and plants 2CU-Boulder helps tap crowds to digitize museum records of bugs and plants 3CU-Boulder helps tap crowds to digitize museum records of bugs and plants 4NLST: CT detects twice as many lung cancers as X-ray at initial screening exam 2NLST: CT detects twice as many lung cancers as X-ray at initial screening exam 3
... Schaefer, PhD, on vacation in San Diego, picked up a copy ... was running a series on the wildfires in the western United ... now occur every few years instead of every few decades ... cycle is fueled by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), an invasive plant that ...
... BOSTON, Mass. (June 20, 2010) By emulating ... for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber ... self-assemble and can be programmed to move and change ... programmable nanodevices are highly suitable for medical applications because ...
... "The small size of an alien insect that feeds on a ... to hide in cracks and other locations that are out of ... Moore. Moore has teamed up with UOG ecologist Thomas Marler ... "fadang" in the Chamorro language, and a minute alien insect pest ...
Cached Biology News:In elevated carbon dioxide, soybeans stumble but cheatgrass keeps on truckin' 2In elevated carbon dioxide, soybeans stumble but cheatgrass keeps on truckin' 3In elevated carbon dioxide, soybeans stumble but cheatgrass keeps on truckin' 4In elevated carbon dioxide, soybeans stumble but cheatgrass keeps on truckin' 5Researchers create self-assembling nanodevices that move and change shape on demand 2Cycad pest uses small size to hide from predators 2
(Date:5/23/2013)... , May 23, 2013 BioTrends Research ... advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that, ... infectious disease specialists reported that in the past ... intentionally delaying treatment) in anticipation of the next ... months ago, when only 6 percent reported that ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... , May 23, 2013 Northwest Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: ... developing DCVax ® personalized immune therapies for solid ... exhibit at this year,s American Society Of Clinical Oncology ... highlight its leadership role in immune therapy.  ... annual meeting is the pre-eminent conference focused on clinical ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... May 23, 2013  Verenium Corporation (Nasdaq: ... the development and commercialization of high-performance enzymes, today announced ... Officer, will present at two upcoming conferences. ... present at the Second Annual Marcum LLP Microcap Conference ... Hotel in New York City.  The presentation is scheduled ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... SynCardia Systems, Inc. ( http://www.syncardia.com ), ... Canada and CE (Europe) approved Total Artificial Heart, announced ... boasts more than 380,000 visitors annually, is featuring the ... the Freedom® portable driver as part of its $3 ... of its kind. , “BodyWorks combines the latest ...
Breaking Biology Technology:The Majority of Physicians that Treat Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Have Begun "Warehousing" and Preparing Their HCV Patients for the Next Generation of HCV Treatments 2The Majority of Physicians that Treat Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Have Begun "Warehousing" and Preparing Their HCV Patients for the Next Generation of HCV Treatments 3NW Bio Exhibit at the Upcoming ASCO Meeting to Highlight its Leadership Role in Immune Therapy for Cancer 2NW Bio Exhibit at the Upcoming ASCO Meeting to Highlight its Leadership Role in Immune Therapy for Cancer 3Verenium To Present At Two Upcoming Conferences 2Verenium To Present At Two Upcoming Conferences 3SynCardia Total Artificial Heart Featured in $3 Million Exhibition at Glasgow Science Centre 2SynCardia Total Artificial Heart Featured in $3 Million Exhibition at Glasgow Science Centre 3
... RIDGE, Tenn., Nov. 29, 2007 -- A water repellent ... Ridge National Laboratory outperforms nature at its best and ... super-water repellent (superhydrophobic) material, developed by John Simpson, is ... patent-pending process could lead to the creation of a ...
... CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 29 Merrimack Pharmaceuticals,Inc., a ... and,development of novel treatments for autoimmune disease and ... PhD from its Board of,Directors and the addition ... as a Director at Merrimack since May 2006. ...
... GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 29 The Center ... the first member of the Xceed,Molecular (http://www.xceedmolecular.com ... role, CMM is the first US site to ... analysis, giving researchers an,important new tool in disease ...
Cached Biology Technology:ORNL super water repellent could cause big wave in market 2Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Announces the Addition of Robert Gay to its Board of Directors 2Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Announces the Addition of Robert Gay to its Board of Directors 3Center for Molecular Medicine Offers Xceed Ziplex(TM) Services to Research Community 2
... the needs of the biopharmaceutical ... supports fast cell growth rates ... maintaining high cell viability and ... the Baculovirus Expression Vector System ...
... number is a new ... easily match Cornings product ... availability yet, please order ... number (Z36,327-8) or contact ...
Originally developed for the culture of Drosophila; suitable for culture of other dipteran cell lines. Powder, Insect cell culture tested...
... This CLS number is ... to easily match Cornings product ... yet, please order under the ... contact customer service for assistance. ...
Biology Products: