Religions > Atheism > Gene expression sets humans apart Researchers find factors that distinguish us from other primates
| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"stoney" |
| Date: |
08 Mar 2006 08:53:28 PM |
| Object: |
Gene expression sets humans apart Researchers find factors that distinguish us from other primates |
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11732765/from/RL.1/
Gene expression sets humans apart
Researchers find factors that distinguish us from other primates
Updated: 6:11 p.m. ET March 8, 2006
LONDON - How can humans and chimpanzees, who share about 99 percent of
the same genes be so different?
Scientists in the United States and Australia say changes in the gene
expression, not just genes, is a big part of what separates humans from
their nearest relatives. Gene expression is the process by which genes
are turned on or off. Not all of the estimated 30,000 genes in humans
are activated at the same time in every cell.
“We think gene expression is a major part of what separates chimps and
humans,” said Kevin White, an associate professor of genetics, ecology
and evolution at Yale University.
White and researchers from the University of Chicago and the Hall
Institute in Australia looked at gene expression in humans, chimpanzees,
orangutans and rhesus monkeys. They used new gene-array technology to
compare the level of expression of 1,056 genes in the four species.
“When we looked at gene expression, we found fairly small changes in 65
million years of macaque, orangutan and chimpanzee evolution,” said Dr
Yoav Gilad of the University of Chicago, lead author of the study.
But he said it was followed by quick changes in specific groups of genes
known as transcription factors, which control the expression of other
genes, since humans diverged from their ape ancestors during the last 5
million years.
“This rapid evolution in transcription factors occurred only in humans,”
Gilad added in a statement.
The research, which is published in Thursday's issue of the journal
Nature, supports a 30-year-old hypothesis by scientists Mary-Claire King
and Allan Wilson, who suggested that key differences between humans and
chimpanzees might be found in the way they express their genes.
Until the mapping of the human genome and the development of gene array
technology that allows for large-scale analysis of gene expression, it
has not been possible to test the hypothesis.
Gilad, White and their colleagues used samples of liver tissue from five
adult males from each of the four species in their study. They found
that about 60 percent of the genes had consistent levels of expression
in humans and the primates. But genes for transcription factors were
more likely to have changed their expression patterns than the genes
they regulate.
“Specifically in the human lineage the transcription factors are
changing or evolving in their expression at a faster pace than in the
other lineages, particularly as compared with chimps,” White said.
The researchers do not know what caused the shift in gene expression in
humans but they suspect it could be due to changes in the environment,
the acquisition of fire and a preference for cooked food.
They plan to use other types of tissue to look at large arrays of genes
in future studies.
Copyright 2006 Reuters
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a cornucopia of splinters.
.
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| User: "johac" |
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| Title: Re: Gene expression sets humans apart Researchers find factors that distinguish us from other primates |
08 Mar 2006 11:54:34 PM |
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In article <a16v0217qkvqeo2gqbh1c4vckrmkimoo7d@4ax.com>,
stoney <stoney@the.net> wrote:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11732765/from/RL.1/
Gene expression sets humans apart
Researchers find factors that distinguish us from other primates
Updated: 6:11 p.m. ET March 8, 2006
LONDON - How can humans and chimpanzees, who share about 99 percent of
the same genes be so different?
Scientists in the United States and Australia say changes in the gene
expression, not just genes, is a big part of what separates humans from
their nearest relatives. Gene expression is the process by which genes
are turned on or off. Not all of the estimated 30,000 genes in humans
are activated at the same time in every cell.
More powerful evidence for common descent. Why don't the cretinists and
the unintelligent designers just hang it up?
--
John Hachmann aa #1782
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
-Voltaire
Contact - Throw a .net over the .com
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| User: "stoney" |
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| Title: Re: Gene expression sets humans apart Researchers find factors that distinguish us from other primates |
11 Mar 2006 06:48:10 PM |
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On Wed, 08 Mar 2006 21:54:34 -0800, johac <jhachmann@sbcglobal.com>
wrote in alt.atheism
In article <a16v0217qkvqeo2gqbh1c4vckrmkimoo7d@4ax.com>,
stoney <stoney@the.net> wrote:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11732765/from/RL.1/
Gene expression sets humans apart
Researchers find factors that distinguish us from other primates
Updated: 6:11 p.m. ET March 8, 2006
LONDON - How can humans and chimpanzees, who share about 99 percent of
the same genes be so different?
Scientists in the United States and Australia say changes in the gene
expression, not just genes, is a big part of what separates humans from
their nearest relatives. Gene expression is the process by which genes
are turned on or off. Not all of the estimated 30,000 genes in humans
are activated at the same time in every cell.
More powerful evidence for common descent. Why don't the cretinists and
the unintelligent designers just hang it up?
They're not evolved enough, besides it would cut into their prophet$.
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a cornucopia of splinters.
.
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