A UCLA study shows human genes interact with their environment to increase the risk of disease. The results published in the online edition of the American Journal of human genetics on 18 February, that light on why research particular diseases human genes, variations problems can only partly explained.
"We know that genes and environmental factors influence the human diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer,", said project manager of Jake Lusis, Professor of medicine, human genetics and microbiology, Immunology and molecular genetics at the David Geffen School of medicine at UCLA. "Most studies, however have focused on the genetic component of the risk of disease as in disregard of the effect of environmental stimuli." This study examines how helps the molecular interaction between the two, leading to diseases. »
"Smoking and high cholesterol, for example, each increase the risk of heart disease," he said. “” “”. But if you add the total risk greater than its parts. Their interaction creates a dangerous synergy, the damage, which can cause both independently. »
In contrast to previous studies with a focus on a single gene, the UCLA team examined the activity of thousands of human genes, both at rest and under load. In particular, scientists have been reset to gene expression - the process of 0 (zero), is converted to the DNA sequence of a gene in cellular proteins.
With arteries, which surgeons 96 had trimmed above, in the light of heart of organ transplantation, Lusis and his team have cells of the inner wall of blood vessels. To imitate the impact on the environment, exposed to grease, the inflammation and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries lead scientists cells. And then see the genes into cells and compared their profiles of the normal expression of their activities under stress.
"Genes reacted differently inflammation according to their genetic composition," said Casey Romanowski, a student of the UCLA human genetics the first author. "About 35% of the most affected genes were influenced by the interaction between genetic variations and fats."
She added: "You can study not effectively divorced genes of their environment". "The missing link located at the intersection of genes, with their environment."
"Our results show that these interactions in people are important and should be considered in the genetic research", says Lusis. "Improving our understanding of the molecular architecture of the disease may one day one as a new tool you speak us problems such as such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease."
The research was funded by the national heart, lung and Blood Institute and the American Heart Association.