Antisense RNA: the new favorite in genetic research

Antisense RNA molecule represents a unique type of DNA transcript that comprises 19-23 nucleotides and is complementary to mRNA. Antisense RNAs play the crucial role in regulating gene expression at multiple levels, such as at replication, transcription, and translation. In addition, artificial antisense RNAs can effectively regulate the expression of related genes in host cells. With the development of antisense RNA, investigating the functions of antisense RNAs has emerged as a hot research field. This review summarizes our current understanding of antisense RNAs, particularly of the formation of antisense RNAs and their mechanism of regulating the expression of their target genes. In addition, we detail the effects and applications of antisense RNAs in antivirus and anticancer treatments and in regulating the expression of related genes in plants and microorganisms. This review is intended to highlight the key role of antisense RNA in genetic research and guide new investigators to the study of antisense RNAs.

Major Results and Research Challenges in Cotton Molecular Genetics at CIRAD(France)

CIRAD(Montpellier,France) develops research activities centered on tropical and sub-tropical agricultural systems.Among others crops,cotton is the focus of a series of research programs in different disciplines from economics to breeding.Major areas in genetics and breeding relate to(1) genetic diversity,(2) cultivar development through classical and molecular breeding,and(3)

Research outline on rice genetics in China

In 1928, studies on the inheritance and evolution of wild rice conducted by Prof TING Yin and the linkage relationship between genes controlling rice wax endosperm and glume top colour by Prof ZHAO Lianfang were reported. Since then, a large number of researches on rice genetics have been carried out in China, which concerned the inheritance of morphological and physiological traits; the identification of the chromosome mutants in number and structure; the analysis of genetic models of qualitative traits; and the heritability estimates of quantitative traits as well as the gene sequence in rice bioengineering, etc. All researches have made a great contribution to rice genetics. This article introduced all these aspects based on the works by

An overview of rice genetics research in China

Congratulations to the Genetics Society of China on their 40;anniversary! Genetics has expanded in scope in that time frame and has penetrated into many areas of biology, medicine and agriculture. Genetics is poised to continue that trajectory into the future with promises of new understanding and new technologies for the benefit to society. Here, we will highlight some of the

Highlights of genetics research over the past four decades in China

The year of 2018 marks China’s 40th anniversary of the reform and opening up. Coincidently, this year is also the 40th anniversary of Genetics Society of China (GSC), one of the largest academic organizations in China. In October of 1978, GSC was formally established in Nanjing, ushering a new era of genetics research in China, and its mission is to promote genetics research and education.Genetics focuses on the study of genes, genetic variations, and heredity in living organisms. It has permeated every field of

A Biobank for Long-term and Sustainable Research in the Field of Congenital Heart Disease in Germany

Congenital heart disease （CHD） is the most fi＇equent birth defect （0.8% 1% of all live births）. Due to the advance in prenatal and postnatal early diagnosis and treatment, more than 90% of these patients survive into adulthood today. However, several mid- and long-term morbidi- ties are dominating the follow-up of these patients. Due to the rarity and heterogeneity of the phenotypes of CHD, multicenter registry-based studies are required. The CHD-Biobank was established in 2009 with the aim to collect DNA from patients and their parents （trios） or fi＇om affected families, as well as cardiovascular tissues from patients undergoing corrective heart surgery for cardiovascular malformations. Clinical/phenotype data are matched to the International Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Code （IPCCC） and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision （ICD-10）. The DNA collection currently comprises samples from approximately 4200 participants with a wide range of CHD phenotypes. The collection covers about 430 trios and 120 families with more than one affected member. The cardiac tissue collection comprises 1143 tissue samples [Yore 556 patients alter open heart surgery. The CHD-Biobank provides a comprehensive basis for research in the field of CHD with high standards of data privacy, IT management, and sample logistics.

Effect of estrogen on gene expression of fatty acid synthase in periosteum

Background Estrogen deficiency contributes to postmenopausal osteoporosis. Periosteum might be a potential target of estrogen, but the underlying mechanism at gene level is far from being elucidated. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between estrogen and fatty acid synthase （FAS） expression in periosteum. Methods Human periosteum cells were cultured in vitro. Expressed genes in the substrated cDNA library were verified using semi-quantitative PCR and real-time PCR. The expression of FAS in periosteum of ovarectomized （OVX） SD rats was investigated. Results FAS gene was most significantly expressed in the subtracted cDNA library of periosteal cells screened by semi-quantitative PCR. Low FAS expression was verified by real-time PCR in the estrogen exposed human periosteum rather than in the control. The estradiol levels were （20.81±12.62） pg/ml, （19.64±4.35） pg/ml and （13.47±1.84） pg/ml in the sham group, the control, and the OVX group, respectively. The estradiol levels in the OVX group was significantly lower （P=-0.0386）. The FAS gene expression in periosteum in the OVX group, sham group, and control group was 3.09±1.97, 1.33±0.47 and 1.51±1.32, respectively. The gene expression in the OVX group was significantly higher （P=0.0372）. Conclusion Estrogen modulates FAS gene expression in in vitro human perisoteum as well as in in vivo rat periosteum.

The impact of codon 54 variation in intestinal fatty acid binding protein gene on the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus in Chinese

Objective To investigate whether or not the intestinal fatty acid binding protein gene (FABP2) Ala54Thr variation is related to non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), obesity, dyslipidemia and glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in Chinese.Methods The FABP2 Ala54Thr variation was detected by PCR/HhaI digestion in 231 Chinese subjects (116 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 54 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 61 with NIDDM). Plasma glucose, insulin and C peptide levels before and after 75 g glucose load as well as fasting lipid profile were determined.Results (1) The Ala54 and Thr54 allele frequencies in Chinese were 0.71 and 0.29 respectively; (2) The FABP2 Ala54Thr variation was neither associated with fasting and post challenged plasma glucose levels nor with NIDDM; (3) This variation was neither associated with fasting lipid profile nor with obesity; (4) The IGT subjects with genotype Thr54(+) (Thr54 homozygotes and heterozygotes) had lower fasting, 2 hour and total C peptide levels and smaller AUC representing lesser C peptide secretion after glucose challenge than those with genotype Thr54( ) (Ala54 homozygotes) (P= 0.04 , 0.03, 0.01 and 0.01 respectively). The serum insulin levels changed in the same tendency.Conclusions The glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) reserve of islet beta cells is more limited in subjects with FABP2 Thr54(+) genotype than in those with FABP2 Thr54(-) genotype. It suggests that FABP2 codon 54 variation might contribute to the insufficient insulin secretion in the development of NIDDM in Chinese.