To understand how the processes of egg laying and lactation began, scientists have to choose genes that are essential to both.
KIT: This gene is involved in the synthesis of melanin, a pigment found in skin.
FGFR3: Gene involved in bone development.
UCP1: Gene involved in the regulation of body temperature.
ABCG2: This gene codes for a protein which actively extrudes a wide variety of physiological compounds, and dietary toxins from cells.
HTT: This gene is associated with Huntingtons disease, a particularly serious neurodegenerative disease.
Bioinformatics expert: Huntingtons disease in the OMIM database
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-ProtH2AFZ: This is one of the numerous genes that code for histone proteins. The characteristic architecture of a chromosome is due to the way DNA is wound around histones.
Bioinformatics expert: DNA wound around histones in the PDB database (click on ‘View in 3D’)
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-ProtChromosome 1: HIST2H4A
This region carries no genes…
SMARCAD1: This gene is involved in the formation of the epidermal ridges on our fingers. When it is defective, people are born without fingerprints (immigration delay disease), which can create problems at customs…
Protein Spotlight: The ends of our fingers
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-ProtCLOCK: This gene codes for the clock protein which is involved in regulation of our biological rhythms.
Prolune - article: An inbuilt timekeeper
Corresponding protein in UniProtKB/Swiss-ProtGABRA1/GABRA2/GABRA4: Groups of genes involved in the harmful effects of absinthe consumption.
Protein Spotlight: Forbidden fruit
One of the corresponding proteins in UniProtKB/Swiss-ProtTLR1: This gene is involved in the fight against bacterial infection.
This region carries no genes…
OTOP1: This gene is involved in the perception of acceleration (lifts, roller coasters…).