10 to 100 million species live on our planet. Every single species – from bacteria, insects and birds, to plants and humans – has a common ancestor. According to Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution, which was published in ‘On the Origin of Species’ in 1859, species evolve thanks to natural selection. The theory explains the basis of kinship between all species. Although it remained controversial for a long time, it has now been largely accepted.
OAS1: Gene involved in the fight against certain viral infections. A variant of this gene, inherited from Neanderthal, is thought to give protection against COVID-19.
Protein Spotlight: Luck of the draw
Publication: A Neanderthal OAS1 isoform protects individuals of European ancestry against COVID-19 susceptibility and severity.
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
HMGA2: This gene influences a person’s height.
Publication: A common variant of HMGA2 is associated with adult and childhood height in the general population
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
SH2B3: Gene associated with gluten intolerance (celiac disease).
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
ALX1: Gene which orchestrates the development of our nose, our mouth and our jaw. Genetic analysis of birds collected on the Galapagos Islands showed that this gene has a major effect on the shape of the famous Darwin’s finches’ beaks.
Protein Spotlight : the making of a face
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
KITLG: This gene is involved in the synthesis of melanin, a pigment found in skin.
PAH: This gene is associated with phenylketonuria, a rare genetic disease that prevents phenylalanine metabolism. Babies are tested at birth because excess phenylalanine in the blood can cause mental retardation.
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
ABCC9: This gene influences the length of sleep.
RPLP0: This gene codes for a protein which is part of the ribosome and is therefore involved in making proteins.
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
RPL6: This gene codes for a protein which is part of the ribosome and is therefore involved in making proteins.
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
ALDH2: This gene is involved in alcohol tolerance.
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
PPP1CC : Gène impliqué dans l’apprentissage mais aussi dans l’oubli qui nous est nécessaire pour ne pas surcharger la mémoire.
Protein Spotlight : The things we forget
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
CRY1: This gene is involved in our daily biological rhythms.
Prolune - article: An inbuilt timekeeper
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
MARS1 (METRS): This gene codes for a protein which is involved in making other proteins.
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
DCD: This gene codes for a sweat protein which fights off bacteria that live on our skin.
KRT86: This gene codes for keratin, a protein which is the major component of skin, hair and nails.
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
Chromosome 17: KRT31
ACCN2: This gene is involved in nerve impulses. Turning fright on and off?
TWF1/TWF2: These genes code for proteins that are involved in giving a cell its shape.
Prolune - snapshot: twinfilin
Protein Spotlight: Molecular embrace
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
LRRK2: This gene is associated with Parkinsons disease.
LDHB: This gene is involved in sugar metabolism.
TAS2R43: This gene codes for a protein which is involved in the perception of bitter components.
TPI1 (TPIS): This gene is involved in sugar metabolism.
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
Chromosome 12: LDHB
FKBP4: This gene codes for a protein that interacts with the tau protein, which plays a key role in the progression of Alzheimers disease.