Nature Network - Recent topics from Molecular Genetics & The RNA World

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue/Immune Dysfunction (CFIDS) (0 replies)

sharon stapleton — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:15:37 -0000

Is anyone involved in research with this disease?
Thank you – S.

miRNAs and Developmental Genetics (0 replies)

Adam Hall — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 18:59:15 -0000

An article in this month’s Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology has illustrated the widespread use of miRNAs by different cell types during development. It describes several examples such as how the regulation of miR-15 and miR-16 helps to promote mesodermal patterning in the frog. miR-124 is discussed in relation to maintaining neuronal cell identity in brain development, and miR-1 is discussed in relation to its role in skeletal muscle development.

Does anyone else have any other good examples of how specific miRNAs regulate the development of particular cell types?

Reference: Stefani, G. & Slack, FJ. (2008). Small non-coding RNAs in animal development. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 9: 219-230.

In the world of DNA, the RNA is King! (1 reply)

Adam Hall — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:59:55 -0000

The importance of RNA molecules in modulating gene expression is becoming ever more evident. The diverse number of RNA families and their important roles are having a profound effect on our understanding of genetics and how the genome is regulated. mRNAs, tRNAs, rRNAs, piRNAs and miRNAs – to name a few, are incredible molecules which are complex in shape and function. Since the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953, research interests are increasingly focusing on small non-coding RNAs. RNA molecules hold the key to many exciting possibilities, both in scientific research, but also in future medical treatments.

RNA may have been the first molecule to have evolved out of the primordial soup, and may be central to our understanding of the origin of life – hence the ‘RNA world hypothesis’. Are RNA molecules the real conductors of the genomic symphony?

References:

Grobhans, H. &Filipowicz, W. The expanding world of small RNAs. Nature 451: 414-416.

Gilbert, W. (1986). The RNA World. Nature 319: 618

Epigenetics: Was Lamark partly right? (3 replies)

Adam Hall — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:33:27 -0000

Recent research has implied that the environment can have an effect on shaping the epigenome. This in turn will affect the way our genes are expressed. If this epigenetic change occurs in the germ line, the environmental effect will be inherited. (Erasure is a process which usually wipes out imprinting on genes, which would normally prevent this inheritance, but erasure is not universal amongst all species). Does this imply that Lamarck’s theory of inheritance of acquired characters does partially contribute to evolution along with Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection?

References: Bird, A. (2007). Perceptions of epigenetics. Nature 447: 396-398.

miRNA article in Nature Reviews Genetics (0 replies)

Adam Hall — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:49:32 -0000

Filipowicz, W., Bhattacharyya, SN. & Sonenberg, N. Mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs: are the answers in sight? Nature Reviews Genetics 9: 102-114.

This fantastic review article in February’s NRG brings us right up to date on the current opinion on microRNAs. It describes how miRNA’s have been identified in unicellular algae, indicating that miRNAs are much older then previously thought.

The article also describes how miRNAs control 30% of the genome in mammals. This fascinating molecule has also been found to play important roles in cancer (Nature 449 Pp. 682), and can function as oncogenes or tumour suppressors.