Genetic Risk Factors for Anxiety

This article identifies 2 major indicators of an individual developing anxiety: genetic predisposition and the HPA axis in the brain. The HPA axis consists of the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and adrenal gland. Together these structures form the negative feedback-loop that is our stress response system. 

1. an external stressor triggers the response system

2.  the hypothalamus is stimulated and produces CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone)

3.  CRH stimulates the pitutary gland leading to the release of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)

4. ACTH then diffuses through tissue making tis way to the adrenal gland

5. the adrenal gland releases cortisol, "the stress hormone"

6. cortisol triggers a response throughout the body and begins a negative feedback response

7. the hypothalamus diminishes the stress response

This study focuses on the HPA axis as a subject of interest. The researchers found that the NR3C1 and OXTR genes (currently understood to influence stress response) have alleles that are connected to self-assessed anxiety. It is possible that the identified alleles in these genes lead to disruptions in the feedback process mentioned above. I understand this to mean the the process begins normally but the hypothalamus either does receive to can respond to "stop" signal. It was also suggested that these gene may have varying effects between genders.

I agree with the authors that these finding are very important. Understanding the mechanisms of anxiety on a genetic level can influence patient care. It is also possible that this information can be used to identify people who are more susceptible to developing axiety and potentially implement preventative care.

Gene Therapy Brings Hope to Children with Congenital Deafness

 

    In a recent article written in U.S. News and World Report, Dennis Thompson describes a recent medical trial conducted on 6 children with congenital deafness in China. In this trial researchers hollowed out a virus and loaded it with the gene that produces otoferlin then injected it into the inner ear. Otoferlin is a protein responsible for transmitting sound signals from the inner ear to the brain. 5 of the 6 patients. This bolsters the results of a similar study done at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

    This gene therapy has no major side effects. However, although this treatment is effective for children with congenital deafness caused by otoferlin mutation, it is not effective at treating congenital deafness caused by other factors.

    I think that this article is important because it describes the possibility to cure children of a life changing condition with little to no side effects. I would've like to know more about the feasibility of this treatment as a widespread technique as well as the costs involved.

Epigenetic Factors in Drosophila are Capable of Causing Cancer Without Any Somatic Mutation.

You would not be wrong to believe that cancer can be generated from mutations in genes, but it might not be the only way. 

Researchers have identified another mechanism via epigenetic factors that can kickstart the growth of a cancerous tumor, no somatic mutations involved.

Using Drosophila flies, researchers looked for a mutation-free way that cancer cells may be able to generate. They found that the Polycomb group (PcG) protien was responsible for the formation and occurrence of different variety of tumorogenesis. PcG plays a role in regulating transcription, silencing genes at times and activating them at others. When this process becomes dysregulsted, neoplastic cells can form and unfortunately like most forms of cancer, will not stop after the dystegulating protein is fixed. As you might expect, thus leaves a lot of concern and question to how we look at cancer. The polycomb group protein is found in humans and functions the same. There are also other epigenetic factors identified that can lead to tumor growth. 

I enjoyed this article as now after working with Drosophila for a semester, I now am reading about what we can imply from this little fly to diseases that affect us the same.  

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07328-w

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240424111523.htm

Octopuses and Cephalopods Can Edit Their RNA

New research by Joshua Rosenthal and Eli Eisenberg identified that octopuses and other cephalopods adjust to environmental differences like temperatures by editing their RNA. Previous research has found that cells have the capacity to swap one member of the four letter genetic code, Adenosine, for a substitute molecule, Inosine. This protein altering is called A-to-I and it was found in octopuses. Researchers used the California two-spot octopus and acclimated them to their natural range of temperatures in the cold and warmer tanks. When examining their RNA they found increases at 13,285 sites in the cold tanks where the one letter change alters the protein. In the warmer tanks they found 550 sites. With the help of other collaborators at the University of Michigan and Texas Tech University, they were able to identify proteins that were altered when the processes of RNA editing occurred. One of the proteins was kinesin-1, which changes the rate at which this molecule travels. This then alters the responsiveness of a protein called synaptotagmin that allows for communication between neurons. 

Link 1: https://news.uchicago.edu/story/octopuses-other-cephalopods-can-adjust-cold-editing-their-rna

Link 2: https://new.nsf.gov/news/masters-acclimation-octopuses-adjust-cold-editing

Mutation Helps Those at Higher Risk of Dementia avoid Alzheimer's

 

    

    In a recent article written by Dennis Thompson in the U.S. News and World Report, he describes a genetic mutation that helps to protect people from Alzheimer's even if they carry the gene that puts them at a higher risk of the disease known as APOE4.

    The mutation of the gene, called P3S-Humanin, enables cells to produce a more powerful version of humanin, a protein that it important to cellular function. Humanin produced by this mutation also was more effective in clearing amyloid beta, a signature of Alzheimer's, from lab mice with the APOE4 gene. the P3S-Humanin mutation is found in Ashkenazi Jews.

    Humanin is important because it has been shown to protect brain health as well as reduce inflammation and stress. Furthermore, the study conducted testing on nearly 500 centenarians. This testing included brain function tests. In these tests those centenarians who possessed both the P3S-Humanin and APOE4 genes outperformed those with just the APOE4 gene. This demonstrated the powerful impact humanin can have on brain function.

    In my opinion this article is importance because it demonstrates ways to treat Alzheimer's which is especially importance considering it is a genetic disease with no known cure. This research has the ability to profoundly impact those at higher risk for the disease as well as their families by providing an extended period of cognitive function to those afflicted by the disease.

Redrawing The Tree of Life

In the article called “Huge Genetic Study Redraws The Tree of Life for Flowering Plants”, research has found that the origins of flowering and fruit-bearing plants are most likely all interconnected to each other. Molecular probes were designed to detect 353 genes that are also found in angiosperms. Charles Darwin considered the abundance of angiosperms an “abominable mystery” because it was not quite clear how they emerged. However, new technology has found over 9,500 species of flowering plants to have come from a great angiosperm bloom 140 million years ago. This gives scientists a better understanding of the tree of life. 

In my opinion, having a better understanding of the tree of life can be very environmentally beneficial. This can help us improve conservation efforts, especially for plant species that might be going extinct. We can also find ways to sustainably farm fruit-bearing plants when we understand their relation to the tree of life and how they flourish. We can also use these plants for pharmaceutical research and medical practices as well.

Scientists find chemical that stops locust cannibalism

Locusts are generally solitary creatures. However, when their population density skyrockets due to heavy rainfall and good breeding conditions, followed immediately by an increase in food scarcity, a hormonal rush causes them to swarm and become aggressive.  Fear of cannibalism drives the swam forward in one direction, as stopping will cause them to be eaten by the individual behind them.

In an experiment, scientists discovered there are specific scents produced exclusively during this hormonal phase, one of which repels other locusts, preventing them from being cannibalized. They believe this finding could be used in future methods of locust control, steering them away from farmland and crops.

This article really caught my eye. We have all heard of the horror caused by swarms of locusts, but I don't think we really think about why the locusts exhibit this behavior. The idea of them fearing being cannibalized as what drives the swarm is both horrifying and somewhat funny, albeit in a weird way. I do think it's incredible, however, that we now potentially have a way to prevent swarms of locusts from destroying food that could be feeding starving communities. What an interesting discovery!

Article: Scientists find chemical that stops locust cannibalism

Additional Information: A chemical defense deters cannibalism in migratory locusts

Epigenetics and Education

This article on genetics and learning evaluates the connection between genetics and educational attainment. Educational attainment is the highest level of education completed by an individual. The author finds that the mental processes needed for learning are often genetic in nature. He directly challenges previous held idea about education and development stating:

"Children are not a simple tabula rasa, as once thought, since they are conditioned by their genome to an extent. The environment...is also a significant factor which can allow them to make the most of their capabilities..."

Genetics play a big role in who we become in every aspect of our lives. This, however, does not mean we are bound to it. Oddly enough, our environment is also not capable of completely masking or rewriting the traits we enter the world with. As far as education goes, genetics are the tools we begin our journey with, but our environment has the ability to sharpen or dull them. This author advocates for further research into the neurological functions behind learning and environmental impact on education Together these studies can be used to create flexable and personalized learning plans that improve student outcomes. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I believe it can be used to identify outdated and potentially harmful teaching practices.

Overall, I believe this information is very important to America and the world as a whole. Many people are unhappy with their schools systems, each having unique problems that can interfere with a students learning abilities. For example:

Do standardized tests contribute more to high achievement or competition and surface level engagement?

How has Americas history with school shooters changed the average students attitude towards school environments and education?

Gen Z is notoriously called lazy and uneducated, but is that the truth or do they no longer seek educational attainment in favor of more basic needs?

Hopefully, we will have the answers to some of our education questions in the near future and the ability to make the needed changes for everyones best interest!