Posted on 10/22/2009 10:13:30 AM PDT by GodGunsGuts
The Human Methylome: What Do These Patterns Mean?
by Brian Thomas, M.S.*
For decades, researchers have noticed that tiny chemicals called “methyl groups” piggyback on DNA molecules, and that they occur in certain patterns. Intrigued by the meaning and function of methylation patterns, especially as they relate to medicine, a five-year, $ 190-million-dollar research effort funded by the National Institutes of Health began in 2008. In one of its studies, researchers have stumbled upon a new intricacy of cell function.
Joseph Ecker of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies led a collaboration to generate the world’s first complete map of human methylation patterns, called the “methylome.” This conveys genetic information beyond the well-known patterns in DNA bases.1
Previous studies showed that DNA methylation helps cells with “gene regulation, DNA-protein interactions, cellular differentiation, suppression of transposable elements, embryogenesis, X-inactivation, genomic imprinting and tumorigenesis.”2 Ecker said in a Salk Institute press release that this new study “will lead to a better understanding of how genome function is regulated in health and disease but also how gene expression is influenced by diet and the environment.”3
Some of the team’s results confirmed what researchers had suspected. For example, in embryonic stem cells, DNA was more densely “methylated”—or covered with methyl groups—than in a differentiated cell. Also, they found less methylation in areas where DNA interacts with proteins. These observations indicate that precise regions of DNA are more thickly covered with methyl groups in order to isolate them from use by the cell. This way, the correct proteins are manufactured at just the right time.
However, they also found unexpected methylation patterns. One type, called “CG Methylation,” was long known to occur. Another category, “non-CG methylation,” was thought to be insignificant, but this study reported that stem cells have “highly expressed genes containing threefold higher non-CG methylation density than non-expressed genes.”3 Thus, biologists now have to sort out yet another cellular mechanism that, like most of the human genome, they understand is important but aren’t quite sure why.4
Those who keep up with cell science often cannot help but be impressed with the high state of design they observe in the cell. For example, after studying DNA transcript regulation, researchers Melissa Moore and Nick Proudfoot recently concluded,
At every point along the way, multifunctional proteins and [ribonucleoprotein] complexes facilitate communication between upstream and downstream steps, providing both feedforward and feedback information essential for proper coordination of what can only be described as an intricate and astonishing web of regulation.5
In like manner, these methylome studies confirm “a highly dynamic, yet tightly controlled, landscape” essential to proper regulation of certain cell processes.3
The living world is full of features small yet robust, and well-regulated yet elegant. It is therefore quite natural to ascribe their origins to a transcendent Creator. It is increasingly difficult in light of ongoing scientific discovery to ignore the fact that “the LORD thy maker…hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth.”6
References
* Mr. Thomas is Science Writer at the Institute for Creation Research.
Article posted on October 22, 2009.
” researchers have stumbled upon a new intricacy of cell function.”
Jesus is smarter than they give him credit for.
Back to lyin' Brian Thomas MS* after only one article that was not nonsense?
Those who keep up with cell science often cannot help but be impressed with the high state of design they observe in the cell.
....and you, Brian Thomas MS* are not one of "those"...(typical use of the word "design"...check).
It is therefore quite natural to ascribe their origins to a transcendent Creator.
False conclusion, Brian.
It is increasingly difficult in light of ongoing scientific discovery to ignore the fact that “the LORD thy maker…hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth.”
Scientifically, there is ZERO difficulty in ignoring what your book says. Stop perverting science to suit your religious needs.
I don't believe one species evolved into another, but I do believe a species can evolve and compensate according to their environment.
Hope that clears that up for ya.
No I can’t, and I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject. This is just how I feel based upon what I’ve seen and studied in my 47 years on this planet. As I see it, these are the processes put into motion by a creator at some distant point in the past which continue to this day, much of it still not very well understood, and will no doubt be debated until the end of time.
Even though the existance of God cannot be proven scientifically, I am quite confident that not only did God create life and this planet to support it, he is still here and living in spirit. I’ll choose to follow him and trust in his word. If I’m wrong, I’ll guess I’ll find out when I die, right?
Technically, if you are wrong, then when you die you will just be wormfood, and won't ever find out anything again.
Not if he’s wrong, but the Hindus are right. :-)
Thanks! The more we learn of what creation is, the more our appreciation for the Creator grows!
Thanks! The more we learn of what creation is, the more our appreciation for the Creator grows!
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