动物实验 z-bo 2020-08-25 533

　　Fourteen years ago, researchers at Oxford University identified and named four genes, but the function of these genes is still unclear. Recently, they discovered that these genes control early changes in the human embryo. One step closer to solving this puzzle.

　　In the 2002 Human Genome Project, evolutionary biologist Professor Peter Holland and graduate student Anne Booth identified four genes: Argfx, Leutx, Dprx and Tprx. These genes belong to the group of homeoboxes, and several other homeobox genes are known to control the formation of tissues and organs during human development. However, the function of these newly discovered genes is a mystery. Holland said that to discover the function of a gene, one must first determine where the gene is turned on and expressed, but Chinese researchers found that the gene sequence is an early stage of human development. He explained that he could not detect the location of these genes until the decision was completed. The Dutch team was able to find out where these genes were turned on.

　　Dr. Ignacio Manso and Dr. Thomas Downwell of the University of Oxford carefully analyzed these data and found that these genes only work in the short term when the embryo has only 8 to 16 cells. At this stage, determine whether these cells are part of the placenta or grow into key nodules in the embryo itself, and then turn off these genes. Manso said that the shocking thing is that these genes can only be read within a few hours of a person's life. In order to find the function of these genes, Danville obtained each gene in turn and expressed the gene in normal mature cells in culture. It turns out that these genes can convert many other genes, including a set of genes that determine the cell type of embryonic development. The comment states that when fertilization is the beginning of life, these genes dominate the early changes in humans. It is worth mentioning that,

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　　research team also found that these genes only exist in placental mammals (such as humans). "These genes are found on chromosome 19, the most unstable human genome. Assuming this is a DNA melting pot, Manso said, if a single DNA is added or deleted, genes sometimes form. 70 million years ago, these genes appeared in Placental mammals are the early stage and control cell behavior in the early stages of cell development. Most of the encoded transcription factors control many aspects of the animal embryonic development process, affect the final morphological structure of the animal body, and play an important role in all stages. The purpose of the research is to discover the correspondence between the blueprint and the structure and function, and identify the "workers" at different stages and different divisions of labor. It sounds high, but relying on the "stupid way" to compare bit by bit The result of gene sequencing. Whenever I think about this, I am surprised by the good luck. People are still out of reach of human beings and cannot reveal the mystery of life.