Junk DNA: goodbye! (Introduction)

by David Turell , Saturday, April 26, 2014, 15:54 (3865 days ago) @ David Turell

A careful study in failing hearts shows that long non-coding RNA is active and responds to treatment:-"In the new study, the investigators found that unlike other RNA molecules, expression patterns of long noncoding RNAs could distinguish between two major types of heart failure and between failing hearts before and after they received LVAD support.
 
"We don't know whether these changes in long noncoding RNAs are a cause or an effect of heart failure," Nerbonne said. "But it seems likely they play some role in coordinating the regulation of multiple genes involved in heart function."
 
"Nerbonne pointed out that all types of RNA molecules they examined could make the obvious distinction: telling the difference between failing and nonfailing hearts. But only expression of the long noncoding RNAs was measurably different between heart failure associated with a heart attack (ischemic) and heart failure without the obvious trigger of blocked arteries (nonischemic). Similarly, only long noncoding RNAs significantly changed expression patterns after implantation of left ventricular assist devices."- Note: lncRNA was part of the original 'junk' DNA.-
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140425134022.htm