A new genetic switch regulates embryo development

A new molecular switch specialized in controlling the activity of some key genes in embryonic development has been discovered. The result, which potentially opens up new approaches to fighting genetic diseases , is due to research led by Irène Amblard and Vicki Metzis, of the British Medical Research Council, and published in the journal Developmental Cell. DNA contains all the instructions for making a cell work, used differently based on the function that particular cell must perform. For example, the cells of the eyes and hands host the same genes, but express them differently . Understanding the mechanism that determines which genes each cell must 'turn on' and which must remain 'off' is one of the most important objectives of research into embryonic development . Little is still understood about these genetic switches and almost certainly a key role is played by the so-called non-coding DNA , that is, DNA that does not contain instructions for creating proteins and which until recently was considered more or less a sort of rubbish, a residue of evolutionary processes. But in recent years, their importance has been increasingly discovered, so much so that Deep Mind's AlphaGenome tool was recently released, designed specifically to improve the understanding of these genetic sequences. By focusing their efforts on a specific gene, called Cdx2 , British researchers have now discovered the existence of a sophisticated switch that governs its expression . A real dimmer, like the switches that allow you to adjust the intensity of the light of a light bulb, and which acts by regulating the expression of Cdx2 in the cells present in the spinal cord. The activation of this switch in mouse embryos determines their correct development . "We are excited," said Metzis, "because previous research suggests that our genome could host many different types of elements that fine-tune gene expression, but they have not been easy to identify. If we can meet this challenge, we will have enormous potential to unlock new ways of treating diseases, fine-tuning gene expression where and when it is needed."