molecular mechanisms

The sum of our RNA-mediated parts

The Sum of Our Parts Excerpt: …it is the microbiome that determines our actual exposure to the environment. Substances such as foods, drugs, and environmental chemicals—collectively termed xenobiotics—must first pass through the layers of microbiota on the skin, in the gut, and in the airways where, depending upon the microbes present, the chemicals will be The sum of our RNA-mediated parts

Alternative splicings: epigenetics meets pharmacogenomics

Alternative splicing [is] …a regulated process during gene expression that results in a single gene coding for multiple proteins… [T]he proteins translated from alternatively spliced mRNAs will contain differences in their amino acid sequence and, often, in their biological functions…. See also: Alternative RNA Splicing in Evolution Excerpt: It now appears that alternative splicing is, Alternative splicings: epigenetics meets pharmacogenomics

Epigenetic regulation of aging by glycine and GnRH

Summary:  “…the regulation of two genes involved with the production of glycine, the smallest and simplest amino acid, is partly responsible for some of the characteristics of aging. This indicates that the aging process in the mitochondrion is controlled by epigenetic regulation, not by mutations.” My comment: The broad-based extension of the fact that aging Epigenetic regulation of aging by glycine and GnRH

Viruses and the human-like microbiome

Ocean’s microbiome has incredible diversity – and human likeness Excerpt: The microbiome of the world’s biggest ecosystem and one of the smallest appear to function in surprisingly similar ways. The New Scientist article  reports on: Structure and function of the global ocean microbiome Journal article abstract conclusion: …vertical stratification with epipelagic community composition mostly driven Viruses and the human-like microbiome

DNA Methylation and organized genomes

This open access review that is linked from the title (below) will appear in the next issue of Int J Biol Sci 2015; 11(5):604-617. doi:10.7150/ijbs.11218 It is a excellent, albeit incomplete, review of how nutrient-dependent RNA-directed DNA methylation and RNA-mediated amino acid substitutions link the epigenetic landscape to the physical landscape of DNA via the DNA Methylation and organized genomes

Creating nothing but a theory (2)

Seeing the (UV) light: Previously undetected difference in human mutation rate unique to Europeans Excerpts from the discussion: Q: What’s the threshold at which UV-induced substitutions become UV-induced mutations? A: The balance of viral microRNAs to nutrient-dependent microRNAs is the determinant of controlled vs perturbed cell type differentiation in all cells of all individuals of Creating nothing but a theory (2)