Belgium scientists say they have discovered a new kind of mutation that might be at the origin of many phenotypes in various species.
The researchers, led by University of Liege Professor Michael Georges, used a study on genetic factors that promote muscular hypertrophy among Texel sheep.
They report discovering a novel class of mutations that disrupt the function of a gene and cause a specific phenotype. The mutation created the appearance of an "illegitimate" microRNA recognition site in a gene that did not have it in its normal form.
In the study, the gene concerned is the myostatin, which is expressed in the skeletal muscle and the function of the derived protein is to inhibit muscular growth.
The mutation discovered among sheep exposed a recognition site for two microRNAs that are highly expressed in the muscle. In "mutant" animals, those microRNAs will consequently target the myostatin gene and block its translation.
The result, said the researchers, is that the absence of myostatin provokes a muscular hypertrophy among Texel sheep. But pursuing the study using bioinformatic approaches, the team identified polymorphisms among humans and mice that are likely to act in the same way.
The study appears in Nature Genetics.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
Related stories:
Gene mutation linked to increased athletic performance in whippets
Whippets are bred for speed and have been clocked at speeds approaching 40 miles per hour over a 200-yard racing course. Scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have now discovered a genetic mutation that helps to explain why some whippets run even faster than others.
Clue to genetic cause of fatal birth defect
A novel enzyme may play a major role in anencephaly, offering hope for a genetic test or even therapy for the rare fatal birth defect in which the brain fails to develop, according to a study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine.
New findings may improve treatment of inherited breast cancer
Scientists have identified some of the elusive downstream molecules that play a critical role in the development and progression of familial breast cancer. The research, published by Cell Press in the October 10th issue of the journal
Molecular Cell, also identifies a compound found in grapes and red wine as an excellent candidate for treatment of some forms of breast cancer.
Form of Crohn's disease traced to disabled gut cells
Scientists report online this week in
Nature that they have linked the health of specialized gut immune cells to a gene associated with Crohn's disease, an often debilitating and increasingly prevalent inflammatory bowel disorder.
First glimpse of a key DNA repair protein at work
Repairing breaks in the two strands of the DNA double helix is critical for avoiding cancer. In humans and other organisms, a molecular machine called the MRN complex is responsible for finding and signaling double-strand breaks (DSBs), then launching the error-free method of DNA repair called homologous recombination.
Study looks at psychological impact of gene test for breast cancer
Personal beliefs about inconclusive DNA testing for hereditary breast cancer are associated with cancer-related worry, and such beliefs are an especially strong predictor of whether women had been able to leave the period of DNA-testing behind, reports a study in the October issue of
Genetics in Medicine, official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG). The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
MS patients have higher spinal fluid levels of suspicious immune molecule
A protein that helps keep immune cells quiet is more abundant in the spinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), further boosting suspicion that the protein, TREM-2, may be an important contributor to the disease.
Scientists identify gene that may contribute to improved rice yield
A team of scientists, including Penn State Distinguished Professor of Biology Hong Ma, has identified a gene in rice that controls the size and weight of rice grains. The gene may prove to be useful for breeding high-yield rice and, thus, may benefit the vast number of people who rely on this staple food for survival. "Our work shows that it is possible to increase rice's yield by enhancing the expression of a particular gene," said Ma. The team's results will be published on 28 September 2008 in an early online edition of the journal
Nature Genetics, and in the November print issue of the journal.