Dedicated to the individual. On Fridays, continuation of the story.
For those who are tired of controlling their diet, calories consumed, and physical activity. For those who have lost faith in diets and the help of various specialists. However, he...
What we're researching: What is the role of junk DNA?
What's new: What does the epigenome mean and how is it programmed?
What we will learn: How to change the epigenome program?
1. "Among the important functions of junk DNA, which have been fully realized only in recent years, is the regulation of [activation, ed., author] gene expression" (Carey N. 2016) [1].
2. "What scientists already know today sounds sensational: by more or less consciously changing the genome program, we can have a sustainable impact on our organism – on the body and psyche" (Spork P. 2014) [2].
3. In a sense, we can say that our lifestyle teaches genes how to behave. By choosing between healthy and unhealthy foods or habits, we program genes for good or bad behavior (Shanahan K. 2018) [3].
4. Manifestation of the role of junk DNA. However, understanding the role of junk DNA did not come immediately. In the process of further research, geneticists concluded that one gene does not affect any heritable trait - the "obesity" gene or the "overeating" gene, etc., but has only a very slight effect on the associated with it -sign. What then has a significant impact on the development of the phenotype (individual set of characteristics of the body and behavior) of a person? Modern development of genetics allows us to assert that the interaction of many genes (sometimes thousands) can influence the likelihood of expressing certain characteristics in the phenotype [4 ] Recent discoveries in the field of genetics have helped to understand the role of junk DNA.
5. The role of junk DNA. As it turned out, sameness (identity) and multiple differences (individuality) are not inherited due to an increase in the number of genes. This diverse human complexity is transmitted through genetic modification * and through changes in gene regulation **:
• "So, organisms increase the degree of their complexity not only through gene modification but also through changes in gene regulation that do not affect the genetic code itself" (author's italics) (Spork P. 2014) [2].
For gene modification and gene regulation to occur, junk DNA is required:
• "Among the important functions of junk DNA, which have been fully realized only in recent years, is the regulation of [activation, ed., author] gene expression" (author's italics) (Carey N., 2016) [1].
* Gene modification is the ability of a human cell to synthesize several different proteins based on the "wiring diagram" of one gene, which significantly increases the complexity of genes [2].
**Gene regulation is the ability of a cell to produce different patterns of gene activation. Activation patterns are produced by highly complex networks by combining countless genetic regulatory systems (ibid.).
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To understand the role of junk DNA, let's consider a clear example of an LED garland with different control modes for its operation.
6. An illustrative example. A garland can have different types and shapes depending on the purpose of its use: decorating trees, Christmas trees, buildings; advertising needs, etc. It consists of three main parts: LEDs; networks of wires connecting all the LEDs; control panel with different operating modes. Which, in what form, when, and with which other LEDs will light up, and which, in what form, when, and with which other LEDs will go out, depends on the program used, specified in the garland control panel.
