Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: Anderstega on 03/01/2011 09:14:37

Title: Minimal distance between to active expressing genes?
Post by: Anderstega on 03/01/2011 09:14:37

Hello, I am doing my master project in the field human genetics and have a question that I really cant find answer on!

I wonder how close two active genes can be to each other? My lab group have used the technique "sleeping beauty" to insert two genes, which are next to each other, into a animal model.

We have checked for gene expression by looking on protein levels in different tissues for the two genes. But the "problem" is that if geneA has a high expression then geneB had an low expression, and vise versa.
In some tissues we see that both genes have expression but then neither of them are as high as when only one of them was really active.

I am beginning to think that maybe two highly expressing genes cannot be to close to each other and be "maximum active" at the same time?
Maybe the unwinding and processing of the DNA for geneA will make it hard for geneB to be treated the same way because of the small distance?

Thank you for your time, this is my first time I write at a forum like this and my english is not the best.

Thanks for answer!

/Anders
 

Title: Minimal distance between to active expressing genes?
Post by: CliffordK on 06/01/2011 04:43:25

I think I remember hearing about a similar positional gene expression, but I don't remember where.  A good literature search should help.

It sounds like the basis for a secondary paper.  Perhaps you could splice in a genetic UTR and repeat your study.

Make sure that it is not limited by the order of appearance on the chromosome.

Title: Minimal distance between to active expressing genes?
Post by: Variola on 06/01/2011 21:48:13

Quote from: Anderstega on 03/01/2011 09:14:37

Hello, I am doing my master project in the field human genetics and have a question that I really cant find answer on!

I wonder how close two active genes can be to each other? My lab group have used the technique "sleeping beauty" to insert two genes, which are next to each other, into a animal model.

We have checked for gene expression by looking on protein levels in different tissues for the two genes. But the "problem" is that if geneA has a high expression then geneB had an low expression, and vise versa.
In some tissues we see that both genes have expression but then neither of them are as high as when only one of them was really active.

I am beginning to think that maybe two highly expressing genes cannot be to close to each other and be "maximum active" at the same time?
Maybe the unwinding and processing of the DNA for geneA will make it hard for geneB to be treated the same way because of the small distance?

Thank you for your time, this is my first time I write at a forum like this and my english is not the best.

Thanks for answer!

/Anders
 

Hello   [:)]

Ok few ideas/questions, sorry if they sound a bit obvious but eukaryotes are not my field  [:)]

Do you know what surrounds immediately surrounds your two genes in the cloned region? ( aside from the transposon)

Do you know if gene A affects or regulates gene B either on a transcriptional level or translational? Some genes, depending on their position and sequence can affect the binding of RNAP and it's mediators/recruiters involved in the histone tagging and unwinding of DNA etc.

Are your genes being transcribed constitutively or in response to something? Heat, chemicals, hormones etc.