MIT scientists, have discovered an element of the gene control mechanism that changes our viewpoint on the subject. They found that most of the human genes actually “hover” between the “on” and “off” states.
In other words, a gene which is inactive (meaning that no protein is produced) actually undergoes transcription which at some point is terminated prematurely. The incomplete transcripts cannot produce proteins.
This model contradicts the simple on/off switch model which has been considered to be the mechanism of gene control.
Professor Richard Young (group leader) states that about one-third of our genes, including all regulators of cell identity behave in such a manner but data in the paper suggest that 75% of our genes probably belong to this new class.
The professor believes that this new model could bring us a step closer to reprogramming cells is a controlled fashion, which has important applications for regenerative medicine.
This new discovery undoubtedly contributes to our understanding of gene control but also rises the following question. If most of our genes are transcriptionaly active what on earth do we expect to discover using the DNA Microarray Technology which actually screens for gene transcriptional activity? I am asking this because huge amounts of money and effort have been invested on this technology over the past 10 years. Is there a chance that we should reconsider?
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