Current Genomics - Volume 5, Issue 2, 2004

The complex nature and polygenic determination of most bone disorders require new approaches to search for genes and genetic mechanisms underlying these diseases. The present article overviews powerful and promising methodologies, which have been used to study these disorders. One of the most commonly used approaches is that of candidate gene association study, which seeks to test the association between a Read More

The growing number of completely deciphered genomic sequences provides an enormous reservoir of data, which can be used for addressing questions related to functional and evolutionary biology. The wealth of this approach is documented by the fast growing numbers of recent publications in the field of evolutionary biology based on comparative genomics. Many proteins of the recombination machinery are con Read More

Sister chromatids are preferred substrates for the recombinational repair of DNA lesions. Sister chromatid recombination (SCR) results in the exchange of genetic information between newly replicated chromatids and ensures that DNA lesions are either tolerated or repaired. Faulty recombinational repair has been correlated to several genetic diseases, including Bloom's syndrome, inheritable breast cancer (BRCA1 Read More

The mechanism of NADH oxidation varies between living organisms, and is by far the most complex oxidizing system found in mitochondria. In human mitochondria, a unique, but huge structure, with more than 45 subunits, known as complex I, copes with NADH oxidation. This review compiles our present knowledge on the organization of this complex and the putative role of a small subset of its subunits. This review al Read More

Recent studies on host defense against microbial pathogens have demonstrated that innate immunity predated adaptive immune response. Present in all multicellular organisms, the innate defense uses genome-encoded receptors, to distinguish self from non-self. The invertebrate innate immune system employs several mechanisms to recognize and eliminate pathogens: (i) blood coagulation to immobilize the invading mi Read More

Analysis of whole genome sequences has revealed that genes constitute only a small fraction of the DNA. The function of the remaining part of the genome is still enigmatic. The role of chromosome structure in gene regulation and maintenance of genome stability is increasingly appreciated, which has led to the hypothesis that large parts of the genome may be dedicated to controlling the formation of specific chromosome c Read More

Two decades of linkage and association studies with candidate genes have attempted to decipher the genetic contributions of complex behavioral disorders such as Schizophrenia and Substance Use Disorders with only limited success. We suggest refining these efforts by: 1) using association studies on epidemiologically sound, general population samples with large sample sizes (2000 - 5000) to detect small effect loci, 2) devel Read More