Knowing INSIDE Out (II)

  

           

Why are some people born stronger whilst others get sick easily?  How about those pretty ladies and fine gentlemen?  There are big eaters who do not put on weight easily whilst the rest count every single calorie. When someone says:  “It runs in the family” – means that certain traits are imprinted that cannot be changed and it is irreversible, just like our destiny.  How true is this?

Approximately US$3 billion has been spent in the recent years to research into human genome sequence but has not been yielding much results as yet.  However, already people are spending US$15000 per session to determine their genetic composition in predicting diseases.  For instance, the genetic analysis of a common disease like cardiac disease turns out to be more complex and varied due to multiple gene sites involved.  This is made more unpredictable when gene mutation takes place and can render the test futile.  Why the fuss then?

What is genes all about?

Our body is made up of trillion of cells, and genes act as the ‘brain’ for each cell, governing the activities of the cell, which include cell segregation and replication, protein production and tens and thousands of other biochemical activities, effectively controlling life and death of all lives.

At the most basic level, genes hold the information to build and maintain an organism’s cells and pass genetic traits to offspring.  There are about 30-40 thousands of gene combinations, and 99.9% of the genetic arrangement among humans are of the same biological traits like having same number of eyes and limbs. Other differences in gene arrangement determines one’s physical features such as height, skin color, body weight and susceptibility to specific diseases including thalassemia, hemophilia, color blindness and Down’s syndrome as an apparent result of gene mutation.

Most if not all living organisms encode their thousands of genes in a long strands of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) housed in a chromosome located in the nucleus, acting as the command centre in the cell, with a small fraction found in the mitochondria, which are the energy supply powerhouses of the cell.

Both DNA and chromosomes appear in pairs. All of us have two sets of chromosomes with one from each of our parents.  Every cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, which equals 46 chromosomes altogether. 22 out of these 23 chromosome pairs are autosomes and the final pair are sex chromosomes.  XX sex chromosomes determines a female whilst XY sex chromosomes, a male.



The growth, development and reproduction of organisms relies on cell division, or the process by which a single cell divides into two usually identical cells. This requires first making a duplicate copy of every gene in the genome in a process called DNA replication.  The cell must then be physically separated into two copies of the genome and divide into two distinct membrane-bound cells.

Two major steps must be taken to separate a protein-coding gene from its protein:  First, the DNA on which the gene resides must be transcribed from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA); and, second, it must be translated from mRNA to protein all processed in the protein factory - ribosomes. The specific information from a gene is copied, base by base, from DNA into new strands of messenger RNA.  This process of producing a biologically functional molecule is known as gene expression.

Gene inheritance cannot be changed or modified but is possible to amend changes in gene expression.  It simply means that external influences can cause the DNA gene to be switched on (demethylation – unfavorable) or off/repressed (methylation – favorable).  Reduced methylation is observed in cases of folic acid deficiency, aging, inflammation and chemotherapy, and can result in increased incidence of critical illnesses and deaths.

In recent decades, researchers have learned much about DNA methylation, including how and where it occurs, and how important it is in numerous cellular processes, including embryonic development, genomic imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation, and preservation of chromosome stability. Given its involvement in many processes, any of its error can be linked to a variety of devastating consequences.

These errors are called mutations and usually occur in DNA replication and the aftermath of DNA damage. The cell contains many DNA repair mechanisms for preventing mutations and maintaining the integrity of the genome.  Some disorders like hemophilia (non-clotting) or colour blindness which affects multiple members of your family can pass down few generations through gene mutations.

Way out…

Researches have found that although inherited information carried by the gene cannot be modified, with the help of certain nutrients, lifestyles or toxins, the gene activity button can be ‘turn-on’ or ‘turn-off’.  As an example, the lack of folic acid leads to poor suppression of oncogenes and damage to the p53 gene, rendering it incapable of performing the cancer-suppressing task.  Antioxidant nutrients can be introduced to neutralise free radicals present in our body, reduce the damage of free radical towards the gene, slow down aging and reduce risks for degenerative diseases.

Our genes are not so rigid as they are constantly responding to the cellular environment which we have some control over like feeding the cells with the correct nutrient intake.  Cell nutrition refers to naturally derived ingredients that are highly bioavailable, which have been clinically proven to enhance cell function and turn off abnormal gene expression.  By controlling what we consume, with the help of other healthy lifestyle factors, we are empowered to determine our health and even turn-off our disease risk.

Hence when someone carries the risk factor for stroke, it does not mean that the chance of contracting stroke is confirmed. Adopting corrective measures to improve the flexibility of the gene by reducing the risk factor is the most scientific approach.

Medical applications

By developing aggregate genetic biomarkers together to form a composite test called a genetic signature increases the predictability of a disease. Whether in medications or surgical procedures, such studies are very useful for effective administration and lessen complications.

With more extensive research needed, the current knowledge of the personal genome can be harnessed to motivate patients to change their lifestyle and environment.  Dieticians and fitness experts can tailor dietary and regular exercise programs for individuals who are serious in executing plans for restoring their health status.

The future….

Is not surprising that most of us would be equipped with a genomic report card stating our entire genomic sequence profile with indication of susceptibility for diseases when going for medical consultation, prescription of medications and surgical procedures.  Health conscious individuals can also modify environmental influences to lessen chance of falling sick.

Conclusion

Reaching 100 takes a mix of good genes and a healthful lifestyle, but genetics takes the dominant role in reaching super-centenarian.  However, if you are not blessed with strong genetic component, do not despair.  Leading a healthy lifestyle like handle stress well, keep a positive outlook, exercise regularly and eat more healthy foods can go a long way in suppressing the bad genes from manifesting which can cause disruption to our lives.

Modifying dietary pattern can reduce about 70-80% of diseases’ risk.  Nutrition is the basic ingredient for genetic makeup. With adequate intake of nutrients, genes can function normally.  On the contrary, a lack of certain nutrients can activate abnormal activity that leads to diseases.


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