New drug to treat Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is cancer caused by the exposure the naturally occurring fibrous mineral called asbestos. This cancer is known to be mostly occurring in the lining of the lungs. There are regulating cells in the immune system that eliminate the damaged and unhealthy cells when those cells find a way of ignoring apoptosis (cell suicide), cancer arises. A professor, Richard Morgan, at Bradford’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, created a drug to stop all the strategies of escaping the regulatory cells. HRX9 is the first drug that works on mesothelioma by forcing the cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. 

It is also determined the HOX genes responsible for cell division in embryos are triggered back on causing the damaged (cancer) cells to replicate at a very fast rate.  The HOXB4 gene is a way of predicting the length of patient survival. It has been found that patients who have a greater number of HOXB4 protein present survived a shorter period of time.

This type of research is very crucial to society because, as mentioned in the article over 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with this cancer each year. People overseas are being exposed to asbestos that is creating harmful environment to work in and putting people at risk of developing mesothelioma. Some type of medication is needed to give hope to those who are affected by this and this research can save many lives. 

Proteins that Create the Body's Blueprint

Recently, researches have uncovered what they call "gene architects" that create the blueprints for developing embryos. According to the article in Science Daily, the two proteins MOZ and BMI1 are responsible for normal embryonic development. The researchers described developing embryos as a "cluster of cells" needing to be divided and these two proteins organize these clusters segment by segment. The MOZ protein activates the developing genes while the BMI1 protein is responsible for making sure these proteins do not activate too early or too late. The research found that if the genes activated too early, the developing embryo was negatively impacte, greatly.

I found this article to be very interesting as it uncovers more about embryonic development. It is well known that Hox genes are a major part of embryonic development -- however, this research helps to uncover more about what effects Hox gene expression. A decreased amount of MOZ or BMI1 proteins could significantly alter the Hox gene expression and have severe implications on the developing embryo.

Additional Link

Ancient Genetic Program Employed in More Than Just Fins and Limbs: Hox Genes Provide Blueprint For a Diversity of Body Plan Features

 What are Hox genes and how are they important to the developmental process?

             

     Hox Genes are regulatory genes that determine the location and orientation of body parts in animals. These developmental genes vary from animal to animal, and are the reason why flies have two antennae and wings, whereas a fish will form fins. Hox genes do this by being expressed at different locations and times during the development of an embryo. Reversing the pattern in which Hox genes determine the locations of body parts shows a code that forms appendages separate from the body, such as fins or limbs. This information is useful in determining the exact mechanism in which fins developed into limbs over time through the evolutionary process. In addition, scientists are performing experiments to determine how important this code is in the development of specialized structures, as it has already been observed to code for the barbels in paddlefish and the claspers in skates and rays.

     I find this article to be interesting because it explains the importance of Hox genes in the developmental process. It also makes the fundamental concept of why all animals are different from one another clear, as these genes code for the differences between them. This research is also significant because it provides insight into the genetic basis of the evolutionary process.

Source: Ancient Genetic Program Employed in More Than Just Fins and Limbs: Hox Genes Provide Blueprint For a Diversity of Body Plan Features

Hox Genes and Biodiversity

Hox genes play a key role in the development of an organism; they control where everything goes (i.e. arms, legs, head, etc). A genetic program has been developed to aid in modification of animals. The genetic program may also be used in other parts of vertebrates. As for evolution, the Hox genes have proven that their use was necessary in their ancestors. More specifically, Hox genes in paddlefish aid in the placement of sensory organs around the mouth of the fish. A group of Hox genes that aid in the development of limbs are called HoxD genes. Furthermore, a professor at San Francisco State located another site of regulation called HoxA genes that aid in producing the "vent" of the fish (the opening to the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems). Vents are present in all ray-finned fish, and therefore their ancestors must have had it as well. Since the Hox genes are so common in the fish, they must be rather old. The Hox genes may be produced by a broader variety of species than was previously thought, since they are so prominent in these fish.


                                    paddlefish
To reiterate, Hox genes are responsible for the morphological diversity of species and individuals within a species. By controlling the size, placement, and orientation of body parts, the genes guarantee proper development. However, not all Hox genes in an organism are active throughout life. Certain things trigger the turning "on" or "off" on specific Hox genes, such as environmental factors. The group of Hox genes that are used for limb placement has been a topic of interest for quite some time by many evolutionary biologists. The evolution of fins to limbs, as well as the development of the thumb, are key features that indicate an alteration in Hox genes over time. Since the finding that Hox genes were present in organisms close to 500 million years ago, there must be a myriad of features that utilize Hox genes that haven't been discovered yet.

Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141119084949.htm
Supporting Article: http://creation.com/hox-homeobox-genesevolutions-saviour

Genetics Behind Firefly’s Glow

Firefly lights have a gene structure that was a mystery to scientist till now. The person who found the reason for this light was Matthew Stansbury doing research at the Center for Insect Sciences at the University of Arizona. The gene responsible for the lighting is called the homeobox or the Hox gene. The Adb-B Hox gene is the gene found to be linked to the light more then the other Hox genes.The Hox gene lights the light or lantern, but it is also in charge of what genes go to each specific segment of the firefly. The Hox gene is responsible for the light but Stansbury could not find when or where it is when it activates. Stansbury and his professor hope that with this research it will open the door to more studies on charismatic insects.