Genes and Mental Illnesses: Is There a Connection?

Drain C.

Genetics, Stockton University

https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/04/29/do-our-genes-play-a-role-in-depression--.html

Psychologists have been studying the brain and the cause of mental illnesses for at least 150 years. Many have claimed that the outside environment along with trauma have been the main cause of a mental illness. It was a relatively recent connection to study it with genetics/the gene. There are some who have worked with geneticists to point out, that there may be more than one connection between the brain, the mental illness and the gene. Genes tend to copy specific information from parents and pass it to their children. Coding a string of proteins that call for the makeup of a mental illness may not be any different than them coding it for hair color. There have been studies that show the coding sequences for certain mental illnesses such as depression may have overlapping codes for ADHD and schizophrenia as well. So removing a person from a harmful environment may not be the end all factor, if a certain mental illness was already programmed into a hard drive. 

This specific study is showcasing the reactive depression vs the endogenous depression. Meaning- are there people who have it developed due to environment or are people just born with it. Will those born with it built in have less of a stressful environment or more of a stressful environment, may have been one of the main questions that the study was trying to find out. A study across 14,000 people have showed that those with the genetic makeup of a mental illness has reported MORE of a chance of stressful factors. 

However, it is more complex than that because the study later showed that there was a combination of all factors involved (biological, environmental, and genetic) and that they were not independent of another. Other studies have not only tested genes vs depression but have extended the study to depression, genes and twins. Will those who share similar DNA be more prone to the same mental illnesses? The study tested fraternal twins vs identical twins to see if there was more or less of a link together. A main showcase of the study was pointing out that although the twins shared a lot of similar DNA how they processed the outside environment was different, thus furthering the endogenous vs reactive argument. 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022395624004278

edit: due to a miscommunication in registering I just copied and pasted my own work from a different account. Not plagiarizing or stealing someone else's work.  

 

Yaks That Adapt to Low Oxygen Environments

There has been recent insight into adaptations, genetically and cellularly, that allow yaks to survive in high altitude environments. It has been determined that this ability to live in these kinds of environments could be a result of endothelial lung cells specific to yaks. The endothelial lung cells are a single layer lined with blood vessels that regulates the exchanges between the bloodstream and surrounding tissues. High altitude regions in the Tibetan Plateau are inhabited by both domestic and wild yaks. They experience low oxygen concentrations. Humans and other non-native mammals would experience extreme heart and lung issues if exposed to such low oxygen conditions. This is not the case for the yaks who have adapted to these conditions over millions of years.  

A group of scientists explored just how yaks are adapted to these kinds of environments by combining transcriptomic and genomic data to present an exclusive genome assembly for both domestic and wild yaks. Transcriptomic data involves characterizing all transcription activity (both coding and non-coding) or a select subset of RNA transcripts within the sample. This analysis allows for the identification of candidate genes and expressed markers of traits of interest associated. This also included a map of the different lung cell types present. 127 genes were identified to be expressed differently in yaks compared to European cattle and identified a subtype of endothelial cells only found in the lung tissue of yaks. This specific cell type was shown to express genes involved in high altitude adaptation. These findings on genetic adaptations of yaks and high-altitude environments can be useful for future studies on how other mammals respond to low oxygen environments.  

Autism Largely Caused by Genetics, Not Environment: Study

The article, “Autism Largely Caused by Genetics, Not Environment: Study”, written by E.J. Mundell explains how autism mostly relies on genetics. This goes against the idea that the spectrum is based mostly on environmental factors. It has often been thought that vaccinations are a cause for autism. This has played a role in children not getting vaccinated for years. There has been mounting evidence, this article included, that this is not the case.

The article claims that autism affects one in every fifty-nine children in the United States. This number is a lot higher than I thought. Learning more about autism can help this whole group of individuals have a better understanding about what autism really is. It is also important to understand that maternal factors only play a role about one percent of the time. This number is so small, yet the big focus seems to be on maternal factors. The article discusses how the genetics factors are often very overlooked. 

In another article, “Autism Parent, Times Two: When More Than One Child in The Family Has ASD”, by Marina Sarris it discusses the likelihood of two siblings having autism. Because it is genetic, siblings have a much higher chance of having autism. Fraternal twins have an even higher chance. Data was collected in studies on families with more than one autistic child. It is extremely important to observe and look into those with twins. These are the most interesting cases because they have the same genes as well as environment. They even shared their mother’s womb. 

Overall, understanding how genetics plays a role in autism is very important. It will help educate people and encourage them to ignore the myth that vaccines cause autism. It will also eliminate any indication that autism is largely caused by maternal factors and bad parenting. However, I am not sure if genetics will help us to treat autism. I believe that it will help us find out how to manage and aid those affected, but it brings up a whole debate. If a mother knows her unborn child will have autism, is it right to get rid of the child or potentially alter genes? There is a huge stigma on autism already, but does having autism really make someone different in a bad way? 

Another interesting point that comes with these articles is the idea of how genetics and the environment work together. While the study says that genetics is responsible 80% of the time, there is still another 20%. It is important to give all the factors appropriate consideration. Genetics needs to be taken into account more, but we also need to remind ourselves that it is almost always both. Our environment and our genes go hand in hand with each other. 

Above is an image of the genetic network for autism. It shows how complicated genetics can be and how autism does not rely on just one single thing. 

Is DNA making more mistakes then you think?

Everyday people advertise ways to stop the second highest killer in America: cancer. One might see a commercial on tv saying taking vitamins, drinking a glass of red wine at dinner or even just taking a walk at dinner can help someone prevent cancer. While some things might help to significantly reduce the chance of certain types of cancers, such as quitting smoking will reduce the risk of lung cancer, is isn't always the case. According to an article written by Sara G. Miller for Live Science, Nearly Two-Thirds of cancers are due to random DNA mistakes. New studies have shown that unlike previously though a decent portion of cancer cases aren't due to heredity or environmental factors. When a cell divides it copies its DNA through a process called DNA replication and this happens in the billions of cells in our bodies every day. After time it is bound for our bodies to make a mistake, I mean hey they are just human. Some mistakes that can be made during this process are a substitution, insertion or deletion. This means no matter how perfect the environment or how amazing someones family tree is there is still about a 66% chance of getting cancer.  Although this doesn't mean we should all throw away our research on cancer prevention, the risk of some cancers can be highly lowered with changes to everyday life.    

This article shows crazy statistics about how cancer mostly really is just due to completely random mistakes. This could lead to insight on finding ways we can combat cancer with not just environmental changes.  Cancer is the second highest killer and any advancement we can make in finding ways to prevent or fix cancer would be extremely beneficial.  

     

Ice or Aliens?

Scientists have recently recreated interstellar ice, found to constitute most of the matter comprising the dense molecular clouds that lead to planetary and star formation. Within the ice, many simple sugars are formed with some help from ultraviolet radiation and cosmic rays, glycolaldehyde and glyceraldehyde being the two most important. What is their significance? These simple sugars are the backbone in the formation of nucleotides. As we now know, nucleotides serve as building blocks in the creation of DNA and RNA.
According to the LiveScience.com article, this explains that a comet colliding with early Earth and leaving these sugars behind, could have lead to the formation of complex life and eventually humans. Shifting now, from what we already know to speculation of the unknown, what could this mean? These new discoveries could mean that another life form exists somewhere in the universe. After all, if a comet carrying simple sugars suspended in ice is the source of our existence, what's to say this same mechanism hasn't created other societies of complex life?

Centipedes and Evolution

The first genetic sequences of centipedes has recently been mapped out. The sequences found in the centipede genome are giving researchers the ability to learn more about evolution. As members of arthropods and more specifically myriapods, centipedes of the species Strigamia maritima were sequences. This simplistic species can be used to learn more about complex arthropods.

One author of this study, Ariel Chipman, the genetic sequencing of these arthropods shows how they've changed over time. It helps demonstrate the changes from living in water to living on land. For example, Chipman was able to conclude that myriapods and insects changed their preferred environment differently from one another. One example of this is the fact that centipedes don't have the olfactory genes insects have. Instead, centipedes have enhanced another aspect of their genome, which is not present in insects. One species of centipedes have no eyes and live underground, and this demonstrates how the environment influences evolution. Therefore, their other senses are enhanced.

Research on genomes was fixated on humans, but now there is enough knowledge that scientists are able to research animals. Knowing the genomes of more simple organisms will enable scientists to learn more about human genetics. In the future, this will serve several purposes.

Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141125140807.htm
Supporting Article: http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.1002005

People Conceived During Dutch Famine have Altered DNA

In the article I read it tells about the Dutch Famine and how people conceived during the famine have altered DNA. The Dutch Famine was during the winter of 1944 in the Netherlands and lasted about 6 months. What they found was that kids who were conceived during the famine, but not born, were born a normal weight! According to researchers, these babies growth genes were altered while in the womb. However, it seems as if now the children conceived during this time are at high risk for metabolic diseases. Researchers in the field of epigenetics tested the DNA of same sexed siblings, one being exposed and one being non-exposed to the famine. Their results showed different gene activity settings and that the siblings exposed to the famines genes were altered for life. What this told researchers was, that environmental factors during development are very significant to the offspring's life.

 

This article truly amazed me! It is amazing to me what DNA can do and how your body can adapt to so many different things, science truly is amazing. The DNA altered itself before the body was even developed all because of the environment, I never realized how much of an affect the environment had on life. Also, I had never heard of epigenetics before and it seems like a very interesting field that I would love to learn more about.

 

Autism Risks are increased by Air Pollution

Studies show that genetics isn't the only factor that effects a persons chance of having autism. Researchers say the enviornment also has an important impact on the risks. The gene MET is associated with autism and predicts altered brain structure and function . It controls the MET protein in the brain and the immune system. In the experiment 408 kids between the ages of 2 and 5 were examined. The kids were from the Childhood Autism Risks for Genetics and the Environmental study. Out of those 408 kids, 252 had the standards to have autism spectrum disorder. Many of those children lived in unfavorable conditions that researchers say may have increased the risk of these children to have autism. Researchers found that the air pollution exposure, traffic- related sources and air quality measures could have in fact increased the risk of the disease. The case is still under further study.



http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/11304/20131202/air-pollution-genetics-increase-autism-risk.htm

Left Handedness is not " in the genes"

It is said that over 10 % of Americans are left handed an the same goes for other countries. Some researches say they are not exactly sure what causes people to be left or right handed , but Professor Armur form University of Nottingham and Dr. Davison of  University College of London are suggesting that left handedness does not come from genes therefore isn't inherited. This study used 2,000 set of twins from London Twin Research Unit. In this study researchers compared left and right handedness and looked at over 4,000 people and their genome and found no link to handedness and genes. There research in this article has challenged a previous study that said handedness was linked to a gene called PCSK6. Professor Armur and Dr. Davison believe that there should be a noticeable difference between right and left do to differences in genetic variation. At the end of their study they have determined that handedness is a mixture or a combination of genes, environment, and cultural pressure to conform.

I choose this article because I thought it was interesting and for the fact that the question of handedness was still left some what unanswered because even though the article ends with some ideas about what causes handedness I get the feeling that researchers still are not exactly sure on what the true causes for handedness are. I also found it interesting for the article to included that it could be pressure from  people to conform to society that makes people be left or right handed. I have heard of people forcing or teaching their children to be right handed so I found it easy to correlate the information form this article to real life.  

  

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267047.php

Genetically modified corn is actually better for the environment and harvesters

 

Since 1996, corn has been genetically modified to contain a protein that is toxic to certain insects but safe for humans to consume. This type of corn has been named "Bt corn". It has recently been found that Bt corn can reduce the amount of  insecticide use on the corn crops. The bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis produces a protein called the Bt delta endotoxin. This protein kills Lepidoptera caterpillars during its larval stage. The Lepidoptera caterpillar is also known as the European corn borer.  Having this toxin helps keep these corn-loving caterpillars away from the harvesting corn. Interestingly enough, the Bt delta endotoxin does not harm any other form of insect such as flies, bees, beetles, etc.

 

It was found in a study that the Bt corn performed better in managing to keep the corn ear worms away than did the non Bt corn that was sprayed with insecticide. The Bt corn can harvest successfully without any type of spray or insecticide, making it much easier on the environment and the people who harvest it. The Bt corn has also received higher profits than non Bt corn because it also takes less money to grow it. Without having to pay for insecticides to spray on the corn to make it grow, the Bt delta endotoxin serves as its own natural insecticide.

 

Some grocery stores refuse to sell the Bt corn because it is a genetically modified product. However, the genetic modification in this corn turns out to bring more benefit to the earth and the people who handle it more than it does harm. The Bt delta endotoxin is completely harmless to humans and other mammals, so there is no danger in enjoying a piece of Bt corn.

I find this concept extremely important. While the corn might not be grown entirely naturally, the amount of money being paid to spray the corn with insecticide would decrease exponentially, causing the farmers to save money and make more profit. Also, if there is no harm in eating this genetically modified corn, then it is a win-win situation for all. Humans are also not ingesting any harmful insecticide. I feel that we are headed to this type of crop growing revelation in the future.

 

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131007094508.htm

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef130.asp 



The Link Between Natural Selection and Inflammatory Disease

Medicalnewstoday recently released an article discussing the possible correlation between the current health problem of inflammatory disease and the possibility that the human body developed this disease through the process of natural selection.

It has been demonstrated that some of the genetic variants that make a person more susceptible to inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Chrohn's Disease, and rheumatoid arthritis may in fact have been beneficial to our ancestors.

During the time period when bacterial and viral pathogens claimed many lives, the inflammatory response was utilized and developed as a mechanism of self defense.  Now that our society has access to antibiotics and cleaning products that kill potentially pathogenic invaders, the inflammatory response that kept people alive in the past is now no longer needed as much and is beginning to become more of a problem by causing autoimmune disorders.

So far, it has been discovered that there are 21 places on the human genome that bear a "signature" for both natural selection and susceptibility to inflammatory disease.

Effects of Environmental Toxicants Reach Down Through Generations

Previous studies and research have shown that pesticides and fungicides have negative side effects on an exposed animal and its next three generations.  However, recent studies have shown that a greater variety of toxicants can affect the exposed animals next three generations.  According to the article, these new toxicants include: "jet fuel, dioxin, plastics, DEET, and permethrin."  When the animal is exposed to such harmful toxins, its DNA sequence remains the same, but instead they change the way its genes turn off and on.

This study was carried out to study pollutants that U.S. troops may be surrounded by.  Scientists exposed pregnant female rats to relatively high, but non-fatal, amounts of the toxins.  They then tracked any changes in the three generations of offspring.  The results showed that "females reached puberty earlier, increased rates in he decay and death of sperm cells, and lower numbers of ovarian follicles that later become eggs."  Its interesting to see how these pollutants have such an effect on animals such as rats.  These toxicants are obviously not good for humans to be around as well, but I wonder if they could have similar effects in humans like they do in rats.

Environment and diet can leave "marks" on your heart for life

In a recent article, scientists have discovered that your environment and diet can affect your heart in more ways than one. The study started as an investigation to understand the DNA methylation of the heart and what the researchers found was remarkable.  The head scientists of this research was Roger Foo from  University of Cambridge, who discovered that scanning the whole genome in detail provided a better understanding of how genetics related to heart failure.  The study started as comparing people with end-stage cardiomyopathy, so bad that they had to have a heart transplant, with the healthy hearts that they were receiving. The scientists noticed that there was a difference in the "marks" that the genome presents on the diseased heart and the healthy heart. These "marks" were due to the difference in DNA methylation which is strongly influenced by external factors, which are factors that are not within the body, like your environment and diet.  Since, DNA methylation does not stop and continues throughout our lives in response to environmental changes and changes in diet and this could now be a link to heart disease. This study also revealed that there could be up to 8 other nucleotides in the DNA because of methylation. This was an important study and opens a new idea for science and new studies.

Human Leukocyte Antigen Locus: Parkinson's Disease

This is a continuation of a possible series of blog posts all pertaining to the vast array of genetic content that the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) locus has brought to the medical field. In a study conducted by the NeuroGenetics Research Consortium, led by a research scientist from the NY Department of Health and professors of genetics from several universities, pre-conclusive evidence was found that helped to link the immune system to the onset of the degenerative neurological disorder, Parkinson's disease.

The research team studied 2,000 Parkinson's patients and 2,000 clinical control volunteers, some for over two decades, in order to hone in on the most important data. Over that time, they were assessing the clinical, environmental and genetic factors that might contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease. The study was centralized on the HLA locus, which contributes to the majority of immune functions and responses in humans. Continuous study at this locus can help to reach conclusions on how infection, inflammation and autoimmunity may contribute to the onset of Parkinson's disease.



Although many important conclusions were made from this study, much more work in required to fully understand the correlation between the HLA locus and Parkinson's disease. The Consortium's next step is to look more into gene-environment links in order to personalize therapeutics for any specific individual.

Scientists Genetically Increase Algae Biomass by More than 50 Percent

The article discusses a recent breakthrough at Iowa State University, involving the discovery of a genetic method to increase the biomass of algae. The team of researchers was lead by Martin Spalding, pofessor in te Department of Geneis, Development, and Cell Biology and associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Spalding explained the process as expressing genes in the algae to  increase the photsynthetic carbon conversion into organic matter when in an environment with enough carbon dioxide. In nature, algae's growth is limited due to a lack of carbon dioxide in the air. In environmets with relativly low levels of carbon dioxide, algae expresses two genes that allow the algae to capture more carbon dioxide from the air, then channel it into its' cells to keep it alive and growing. When in carbon dixiode rich environments, these genes shut down. By turning those genes on at the same time, Spalding was able to increase the amount of photosynthesis in the algae by 50- 80% thus producing more biomass. Excess biomass naturally becomes starch, but by using some existing mutated genes, Spalding can instruct the algae to make oil instead of starch. Therefore, this increase in biomass i useful in that it opens up possibilities for more and better biofuel development.