Vaping Causes DNA Changes Similar to Those in Cancer: Study

Article: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-02-17/vaping-causes-dna-changes-similar-to-those-in-cancer-study

Related Article: https://keck.usc.edu/vapers-show-cancer-associated-biological-changes-similar-to-smokers/

    It is no secret that cigarettes have cancer causing agents that can be highly detremental to those who smoke. The newest trend now is vaping nicotine, mostly done by young adults but not limited to. It has been proven that vaping is just as bad if not worse than smoking cigarettes. What has been proven is that vaping has potentially cancer-causing changes in their DNA. This doesnt imply that the individual will get cancer, but it becomes more likely. This was done by taking blood samples and testing them for specific chemical tags attched to DNA that are inportant for proper gene activity and or function. These changes can occur in diseases as cancer. 

Consumer Genetic Testing Kits Offer False Reassurance

Genetic tests that are created for consumers may be offering false reassurance to those at risk for cancer. This idea was proposed by a study conducted by a clinical genetic testing company by the name of Invitae. The study showed that consumer DNA kits often give negative results for many DNA mutations that may cause cancer. Some people are at higher risk than others, for example, those of asian and african-american backgrounds had a higher likelihood to carry mutations that could not be detected by the consumer kits. 

The FDA has approved the tests run by the consumer kits, however, customers still run the chance of receiving a false negative. This is due to the fact that the FDA only approves for testing of specific mutations. In the study, out of 270,806 patients clinically testing positive for the MUTYH gene the majority of their mutation would not be found by a consumer kit. In response to this study the company 23andMe made the statement that its test “is not a diagnostic test”. They also ensure that they make it clear to customers that they do not test for a large variety of mutations.

Personally I think that these kits should be used more as a “fun” way to discover things about your DNA rather than a way to diagnose disease. Those with a family history of cancer should not depend on consumer kits to confirm or deny mutations in their DNA. This could lead to false reassurance which could have negative repercussions later in life.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/17/genetic-testing-kits-may-wrongly-reassure-those-at-risk-of-cancer

https://www.opb.org/news/article/23andme-cancer-result-portland-legacy-institute-warning/

New link between DNA-protein Binding Sites and Cancer

In the scientific community, it has long been speculated and theorized that the improper translation of genes can lead to cancer development. Cancer is a disease in which cells grow unregulated and uncontrolled, thus having many negative side effects on patients. A major roadblock standing in the way of cancer treatment progress is the differences observed across specific forms of cancer, which can be better combatted as overall knowledge expands. This research study focuses on the different regions of chromosomes that are transcribed by DNA-proteins. These transcription sites determine which genes are ultimately translated and expressed. Therefore, by understanding the selection mechanism for specific translation sites, one can understand the mechanism behind different hazardous gene translations that lead to cancer. 

The main research technique employed in this study was ATAC-seq, or assay for transpose-accessible chromatin sequencing. In short, this technique allows researchers to highlight all of the available sites for transcription on chromatin at a given time. Chromatin is normally found in a condensed and bond state, leaving only certain exposed sites available for transcription. Researchers used over 400 cell samples from 23 different forms of cancer in this study. Findings showed that mutations to chromatin caused new sites for transcription to become available to the transcription promoter, some of which were hazardous when expressed. The available sequences become transcribed into mRNA molecules that are expressed following translation. Expression of such sequences causes abnormal cell activity in patients. 

Utilizing this sequencing method to study different regions that alter this binding protein's activity, we can gain more knowledge about which genes are improperly coded for in different forms of cancer and each of their subsequent effects. Finding a sequence that causes cancerous cells to continue to proliferate or metastasize would be a major leap forward in terms of our collective understanding of how types of cancer fundamentally occur. Collectively, this new information can offer better patient insight, better evaluation methods, and more effective treatments.

Even the Lightest Consumption of Alcohol can Increase your Risk of Breast Cancer

According to the journal review, Alcohol Use and Breast Cancer: A Critical Review, there are many different scientific studies that support the hypothesis that even drinking alcohol lightly can have a direct effect on ones risk of getting breast cancer. The article from www.sciencedaily.com talks about the main points in the review. When our bodies breakdown and metabolize ethanol, carcinogens are generated which are released throughout our bodies. Alcohol also affects the hormonal levels in our bodies which can also increase ones risk of getting breast cancer. Many people may be surprised to hear that even consuming the smallest amount of alcohol can increase their chances of getting breast cancer; but it makes sense because putting something that toxic into our bodies is definitely going to have a major effect even if it is a small amount.


Article URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160601084655.htm
Additional Information: http://web.a.ebscohost.com/Legacy/Views/static/html/Error.htm?aspxerrorpath=/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer

A New Way to Reveal Information About Down Syndrome from Chromosomes

The role of a centromere is to accurately segregate a chromosome.  They also function as the place where sister chromatids stick together.  These roles lead the centromere to be in charge of birth defects and cancers arising from cell division problems.  In the article, "New Approach to Studying Chromosomes' Center May Reveal Link to Down Syndrome and More" describes a new technique being done at the University of Michigan that is working to reveal the secrets of these centromeres.

The article continues to say how researchers have already discovered that Down Syndrome is related to the copy of chromosome 21 that these people have.  They are hoping to use new techniques to see what other conditions and diseases the centromeres have control over.  The centromeres DNA instability could effect its function and this is essentially what happens in Down Syndrome and what these scientists are studying and experimenting with.  The new approach takes small chromosome specific variations and uses them as PCR primers.  In a half hour, this technique lets researchers look at centromeres of just about every chromosome in a cell.

This new approach seems to be beneficial in understanding how some diseases and conditions come about through a persons chromosomes.  If this approach continues to be used, I think that more and more diseases will be understood, and therefore there will be creations of ways to prevent and treat those specific diseases based on their findings.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171120104816.htm
https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/chromosome-segregation-in-mitosis-the-role-of-242

Pumpkin Genome Reveals Evolutionary History

      To  begin, I chose an article dealing with the recently passing holiday. Scientist at the Boyce Thomson Institute in Beijing were sequencing pumpkin genomes finding out a huge pieces to the unknown puzzle of genetics. The high functioning pumkin sequencing is sure to have some effect on finding genetic outcomes for agriculture and breeding processes. The two pumpkin species in this test were the Cucurbita Maxima and the Cucurbita Moschata. The overall goal of the experiment was to find specific linkage between genes and traits. The pumpkin has 20 sets of chromosomes which is larger than the average vegetable such as watermelon etc. It was discovered that a pumpkin in the experiment is a paleotrapoid because it is made of two ancient genome sequences.  "We were excited to find out that the current two sub-genomes in pumpkin largely maintain the chromosome structures of the two progenitors despite sharing the same nucleus for at least three million years," said Shan Wu, first author of the paper and BT (Sciencedaily.com). 
    Personally, I found this article to be very interesting. There is so much to still discover about genetics. We may know something then find something that alters the information completely. I thought this was a great example of progressive studies in the area of genetics. This article also made me realize that pumpkins are used for a variety of things in other countries not just appraised in October as we do here in the U.S. The Institute does a great job in describing its nutritious value. 









Source: 
Boyce Thompson Institute. (2017, October 30). Pumpkin genomes sequenced, revealing 
      uncommon evolutionary history. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 6, 2017 from  
      www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171030095428.htm

New study with gene therapy suggests that it can stop ALD with no side effects

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare genetic disorder that causes neurons in the brain to die, resulting in horrible conditions such as complete lose of mobility and the ability to talk. ALD is an X-linked disorder since it comes from the X chromosome. That also makes this disorder predominately occur in males since there is both an X and Y chromosome in males. If the X chromosome has the mutation, then they will have the disorder. Females can be affected, but it is much more rare because they have two X chromosomes. So if one chromosome has the mutation for ALD and the other does not, then they are able to function normally. Instead, they will just be carriers of the disorder.

Though there is no current cure for ALD, there is some hope that one might be on the horizon. The only treatment as of today is a bone marrow transplant or an umbilical cord blood transplant (blood saved from the umbilical cord after birth). According the article, there has been a new study involving gene therapy, that has been so successful that there have been no side effects with the treatment. Gene therapy is an experimental form of treatment that uses genes in order to cure diseases and disorders by inserting genes into cells of the infected individual. However, this treatment can only be done when there are only signs of the disorder after a brain scan. Despite all of this, the most fascinating part of this entire study was that the treatment is to insert a disabled form of HIV into the cells of the infected individual. Somehow, the disabled HIV was able to stop the brain degeneration.

This is a huge break though for gene therapy, as it is expanding the different diseases and disorders that are able to be cured with this treatment. It is also a breakthrough for scientists researching for other diseases, since this gene therapy can become a possible form of treatment. I personally find for this to be very exciting, as now we can cure diseases and disorders a lot more efficiently with more research into gene therapy.

Retroviruses found deep within our DNA

There are so many types of diseases and illnesses that can infect human beings. There is an entire spectrum of illnesses that are curable, or not curable, as viral and none viral. However, it has been found that there were retroviruses deep within our DNA. Retroviruses (the most common known retrovirus is HIV), are virus's that infect host cells after initial exposure, change the DNA found within the cell, and eventually produce proteins with it's own DNA. In a recent study, it has been found that retroviruses infected our ancestors hundreds of generations ago. According the article, scientists have found that since retroviruses infected our ancestors, and it is wondered whether they have infected our genes as well. According to recent studies, this might actually be the case. It has been found that some of our genes have been had retroviruses embedded within them, which can result in those genes to be "switched on" and are responsible for causing cancer tumors to be grown. It has also been considered that the proteins from the retroviruses are the cause of this phenomenon. The proteins would cause for the cells to change shape, which is what happens to someone's cells when a they have cancer. However, despite this, it is possible that retroviruses can be helpful to us, since it is also been found that they have been linked to helping us fight off other viruses. So despite possible mutations that retroviruses can cause to our cells and DNA, it can also be speculated that retroviruses over time have been beneficial to our survival.

Overall I find for it to be extraordinarily fascinating that retroviruses have embedded within our DNA. Like many other aspects of human beings, it is one more thing that we know about that can cause for us to have cancer. This discovery is a huge step in the direction for finding the cures of all different types of cancers, and I find that to be extremely exciting.

Mutations Linked to Secondary Cancers

 Scientist have been studying children cancer survivors to see if there are any genetic mutations in their genome that may be responsible for these conditions. While looking scientist were able to identify mutations in 84 different genes that can lead to secondary cancer later on in the survivor's life. This is vital because this can help stop the relapse of this condition in possible cancer patients in the future if they do get better. Unfortunately many cancer survivors do end up with the condition later on in their life so this can help permanently end the disease in a persons life. Now scientist are recommending genetic counseling for child cancer survivors to see if they show any of these mutations that can lead the disease to reoccur. I think this amazing because this is a step towards ending this epidemic.

http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/49066/title/Mutations-Linked-to-Secondary-Cancers/

http://www.bioportfolio.com/news/article/3088608/Mutations-Linked-to-Secondary-Cancers.html