Scientists have recently established a link between a certain types of DNA pieces known as transposons or ‘jumping genes’ – so called for their ability to jump from one genome to another – and how it plays a role in the development of colorectal cancer.
In a recent study published in the journal Genome Research, researchers revealed that they have evidence supporting the claim that certain types of these jumping genes by transposing itself in genomes and mutating those that suppress tumours.
The study was conducted by a research team from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, where they are focusing their research into the jumping gene called L1.
Senior research author Scott Devine, said that decades back scientists believed that the existence of L1 has no significant impacts in cellular development, however, recent discoveries suggest that L1 is active in the brain and body, as well as in certain diseases, of which colorectal cancer tops the list.
The L1 insertions, according to Prof. Devine, were studied by the team and were found to affect a suppressor gene called the APC which has been found to be mutated in almost 90 percent of reported colorectal cancer cases.
The L1 gene was found in APC in the case of most patients tested for the research and no traces of the L1 gene were found in healthy tissue.
Prof. Devine said they aim to find more results from their research that may lead them to further unlock the mysteries between gene mutation and cancer development, but expressed hope that these breakthroughs could spur future research in breaking the code and developing effective methods to treat or better yet, prevent these diseases.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting millions of Americans and one of the major causes is diet and poor lifestyle habits like excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking, among others.
Another intensive study revealed that colorectal cancer is prevalent among Americans as it is linked to a usual Western diet generally low in fiber and high in fat.
So, whether it is a colorectal cancer gene mutation or poor lifestyle habits, preventive measures can be done to reduce the risk of acquiring colorectal cancer.
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