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Study: An Evolutionary "Arms Race" Shaped the Human Genome
An anonymous reader writes "An evolutionary race between rival elements within the genomes of primates drove the evolution of complex regulatory networks that orchestrate the activity of genes in every cell of our bodies, reveals new research. The race was between mobile DNA sequences known as 'retrotransposons' (jumping genes) and the genes that have evolved to control them. Scientists at the University of California Santa Cruz, identified genes in humans that make repressor proteins to shut down specific jumping genes. "We have basically the same 20,000 protein-coding genes as a frog, yet our genome is much more complicated, with more layers of gene regulation. This study helps explain how that came about," said Sofie Salama, a research associate at the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute who led the study."
Regulation of retrotransposons is relavent to retrovirus research. Also, retrotransposons are known to be disregulated in a number of neurological disorders.
Some research is dedicated to incrimental advancements in translational applications, while other efforts are directed at a more complete understanding of the whole system. Sometimes, basic research with no obvious application ends up revolutionizing how we understand disease. A couple examples include: What makes jellyfish glow? Why does feeding worms RNA silence genes? Persuit of these questions (fluorescent proteins and RNA interference) have transformed the entire field of molecular and cellular biology, which has identified drug targets and lead to new therapies.