Source- NewScientist.com

12/09/03 

 Book Contains Real DNA!

An encyclopedia "Book of Life" has been published that contains 172 pages of mouse DNA, which includes 60,000 known active mouse genes.

The book will decrease the cost of sending DNA libraries to universities and biotech companies. A whole genome is packaged in 100 kilograms of dry ice at a cost of up to $5000.

The papers in the "Book of Life" is water-soluble containing a series of dots that hold duplicate copies of the DNA forming the 60,000 known active mouse genes. The scientist punches out the paper dots containing the DNA and dissolve them in water. The paper disappears and the DNA appears. The genes can be made by using the DNA amplification procedure known as PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

Work on a human 'book of life' has already begun.

Source- ScienceDaily

11/21/03 

  “Master Molecule” Protein in Cell Growth and Division

Many proteins that are linked to either errant cell division or to uncontrolled growth have been found in cancer research. Scientists at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have found a first “master molecule” called ARF that is crucial to growth and division of a cell.  

According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Yamping Zhang, the experiments help explain why more than 40% of human cancers are found to carry altered ARF proteins. Since ARF can put the brakes on both cancer cell growth and division, it can be used in the development of therapeutic drugs. Other proteins that are associated with ARF might also help in developing these drugs.

 In previous studies, ARF protein has been shown to help manage the tumor suppressor protein p53, which is defective in many cancer cells.

 In addition, ARF controls a protein known as B23, which is in very high levels in almost every tumor cell.  The scientists have shown that ARF can help limit the production of ribosomes, which are made up of RNA and proteins, and are crucial for protein production and cell growth.  Normal cells need some amount of B23, but cancer cells have very high levels of that protein because they are constantly growing.  

Breast and ovarian cancer cells have high levels of B23. A drug that mimics ARF can control B23 and help control cell growth in these cells.

Source- The NYTimes

11/5/03 

Osteoporosis Gene is Detected

Researchers in Iceland have identified three specific variants of a gene that increases the risk of osteoporosis threefold.

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes brittle bones in both men and women as they age. It is, however, affects more women especially after menopause. There are about 1.7 million hip fractures around the world in 1990 because of osteoporosis. In the United States, it affects more than a million bone fracture a year from this disease.

The gene, called BMP2 (bone morphogenetic protein 2) affects the activity of bone-making cells called osteoblasts involved in bone formation.

Discovery of these variants will help scientists developed future therapies for osteoporosis.

Source- BBC News 

10/25/03 

Genes for Human Chromosome Six Decoded

British researchers report that chromosome six, which contains 166 million bases, has 2190 genes, almost 6% of the entire genetic code in humans.

The report is published in the Nature journal. The scientists at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute near Cambridge state that 633 of the 2190 genes are inactive. Chromosome six is the site of the major histocompatibility complex, a large section in the DNA that is involved in the immune system. These genes are involved in breaking down the pathogens and presenting them on the cell surface, which are then destroyed by other immune cells.

Scientists have identified ~ 130 genes on chromosome six that may be linked to certain diseases, such as genetic markers for a juvenile-onset form of Parkinson’s disease.  In addition, mutations in the HFE gene found on chromosome 6 can cause hereditary haemochromatosis, which causes the absorption of excessive amounts of iron in humans, leading to organ damage.

 According to Jane Grimwood of the Stanford Human Genome Center in the US , the deciphering of chromosome six reveals an abundance of biological information that was previously unknown.

Source- ScienceDaily Magazine