New mechanism of inheritance could advance study of evolution, disease treatment

In recent years, it has come to our attention that genetic inheritance isn't quite as simple as crossing some punnet squares. Some genes actually have the ability to be switched off in response to environmental signals, and then be passed on through generations. This feat is known as epigenetic inheritance. Now, scientists at UMD have discovered a specific mechanism for this transfer in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, one that stuck around for 25 generations. 

To do this, they tracked the production of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) on a specific gene in the nerve cells. dsRNA has the ability to move through cells and silence matching genes. In addition to moving from somatic cell to somatic cell, they found that the protein also traveled into the germ cells and affected genes there. This allowed for the modification to be present in forthcoming generations.

I found this article very interesting mainly because of the possible impact the finding could have. If the reason for this occurrence is to adapt to environmental changes, than it is possible that evolution could be occurring at a much faster pace than previously thought. Further research on this mechanism in humans, which is a big leap, could also enhance the efficacy of RNA interference gene therapy for genetic diseases. 

Main article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150202212449.htm
Second Article: http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/scientists-discover-how-epigenetic-information-could-be-inherited

Passing Silenced Genes

Using roundworms, geneticist Antony Jose and two graduate students were able to discover a new mechanism to pass silenced genes to offspring.  The silenced genes can stick around for as long as 25 generations, which can push evolution to occur at a more rapid rate.  It's also believed that this new mechanism can be used to treat genetic diseases.

The team caused the worm's nerve cells to produce double-stranded RNA (known as dsRNA) that matched specific genes of their DNA.  The dsRNA can travel between body cells, and even germ cells.  Once the dsRNA matches up with the correct section of DNA, the gene will be silenced.  By being able to travel into germ cells, the silenced gene is able to be included in gametes, encouraging the passage to offspring.  The team saw silenced genes present in up to 25 generations, showing that environmental triggers could potentially cause evolution to occur.

The team plans on doing more research to determine if this process happens in other species, including humans, which would allow for insight on the potential of evolution and the development of medications.  Being interested in the creation of medication, I believe that finding mechanisms that can be applied to treatment is amazing.  It's known that epigenetics plays a role in cancer as well; so discovering a mechanism that could potentially be involved in cancer is interesting to read about.

Primary Article 
Secondary Article