Scientists find “Orphan Gene” in a single plant species that’ll boost crops protein value

Research from the University of Iowa State has found a gene in Arabidopsis plants that regulates protein content in the plants leaves and seeds. It is called the Orphan Gene because it is only found in this species of plant. Scientists Li and Wurtele came up with the idea that what if they could transgenic technology to implement this gene into staple crops that we commonly eat. The Orphan gene is gene QQS and binds to protein NF-YC4 which is a protein that appears in all plants and animals. By overexpressing this gene, scientists hope to be able to boost the protein value in plants. Since most of the worlds’ diet consists of plant-based protein diets, this could improve the protein quality and rely less on costly meat-based protein. Although research is very costly and could take years, this is only the beginning of this genes discovery, there is a large possibility more of this gene can be discovered and it already has a large potential.

The discovery of this gene can make a huge impact if it is implemented in other plants. Most people in the world already do not get enough protein in their diet, so this could impact the world if these scientists were able to make this work, as well as make sure it is safe. Since this gene was only discovered in 2004 and has limited research on it, hopefully scientists can unlock more mysteries of this gene and put it to good use.

 The original article can be found here.

New discovery on treating cancer, it has the potential to halt cancer!

The researchers in the University of Iowa made a discovery that could be beneficial, in containing cancer and preventing it from spreading. The found an amoeba in soil that shares the same characteristics as PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog. This protein-coded gene is essential to fighting tumors.  According to David Sol, “If you look at tumors across the board- and that doesn’t mean just breast cancer pr prostate cancer- you find that PTEN is the most generally mutated gene. And when you mutate PTEN in mice, you cause tumors.” The PTEN genes can be found in a large Varity of cancer such as; breast and prostate cancer, that means it worth looking into if they all share a common linked to this gene. Although there is a drawback, the PTEN is only beneficial in a healthy state, if the gene were to mutate then it would cause more harm then good. If the PTEN were to mutate which is likely to occur, then the cancerous cells would spread more rapidly and accelerate the tumor process.

A normal PTEN gene (top) as compared to a mutated PTEN gene (bottom)    

I believe that this is remarkable work that is a large step forward to having cancer cells under control. By using our own body gene that is found in the Homo sapiens, to prevent cancer cell from spreading, and could possibly lead to the next step of being able to remove theses cells if possible. What more remarkable is the fact that these ameoba were always present and it was just only a matter of time until researchers would discover them, which lead you to think what else the human body can do that scientist are not aware of yet.   

Article:http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-10-cancer-biologists-gene-tumors-tracks.html

Related Articlehttp://www.futurity.org/cancer-amoeba-genes-782162/