Thursday, September 11, 2014

The gibbon genome sequence could help unravel the … – Qué.es

MADRID, 11 (EUROPA PRESS)

At the end of the sequencing and analysis of the gibbon genome (all chromosomes), scientists now know more about why this little monkey has a rapid rate of chromosomal rearrangements, providing information broadens the understanding of the biology of chromosomes and could help understand human genetic diseases, especially cancer.

Chromosomes essentially the container that holds the genetic information stored in DNA sequence are essential for cell function and transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next. The structure and function of chromosome are also closely related to human genetic diseases.

The sequence and analysis of the gibbon genome, published on Wednesday in Nature, was conducted by researchers at the University of Oregon Health and Science (OHSU, for its acronym in English); the Center for Human Genome Sequencing at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and the Genome Institute of the School of Medicine, University of Washington, all in the United States.

“Everything we learn about the genome sequence of this particular primate and others discussed in the recent past helps us understand human biology in a more detailed and comprehensive manner, “explains lead author, Dr. Jeffrey Rogers, associate professor Sequencing Center at Baylor Human Genome.

“The gibbon sequence represents a branch of the evolutionary tree of primates spanning the gap between Old World monkeys and great apes and yet has been studied in this way.’s new genome sequence provides important data on their chromosomal unique and rapid rearrangements “highlights.

For years, experts have known that chromosomes gibbon evolved rapidly and have many breakage and restructuring, but so far there has been no explanation of why, according to Rogers. The genome sequence helps detail the unique genetic mechanism gibbons resulting in these rearrangements scale.

The sequencing was performed by Dr. Kim Worley, professor at the Center for Human Genome Sequencing, and Rogers, both of Baylor, and doctors. Wesley Warren and Richard Wilson of the University of Washington. The analysis was conducted by Lucia Carbone, assistant professor of Behavioral Neuroscience School of Medicine, OHSU and assistant scientist in the Division of Neuroscience, National Center for Primate Research OHSU.

TRACKS ON HUMAN DISEASES

“We do this work to learn everything possible about the gibbons, which are some of the rarest species on the planet,” says Carbone. “But we also do this work to better understand our own evolution and get some clues about the origin of human disease,” he adds.

The chromosomes play an essential role in the packaging of DNA, according to Worley. “There are 3,000 million base pairs of DNA in every cell and are packed into 23 pairs of chromosomes,” Worley concrete, also lead author of the report, adding that when there rearrangements in chromosomes, genes and gene regulation often disintegrate or break.

“Cancer is clearly the largest medical example of the impact of chromosomal rearrangements. gibbon sequence gives us a clearer picture of this process –celebra Worley–. There are also a number of other genetic diseases that result from these events. “

The number of chromosomal rearrangements in gibbons is remarkable. “It exploded just as the genome and then put back together ‘He says Rogers–. Until recently, it was impossible to determine how a human chromosome could be aligned to any gibbon chromosome rearrangements because there are many.”

The proposed sequencing revealed a new and unique genetic element repeat (segments of DNA that occur in multiple copies in the genome) that is inserted into the genes associated with maintenance of chromatin structure.

repeat elements have the ability to alter a gene and the biological function switch according to Worley. In gibbons, the team identified the LAVA element, a new element appeared exclusively on repeated gibbons and hitting preferably the genes involved in chromosome segregation (an essential step in cell division where chromosomes pair with their chromosome . Similar homolog)

“This explains why gibbons have undergone many changes -. highlights Rogers– Interruptions cause similar diseases, so everything we learn of this helps us to better understand the structures biology and human chromosome. “

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