Melanoma Genes Found In "Junk" DNA
Date: 7.2.2013
MedicalNewsToday, 28 Jan 2013: US scientists have found two new mutations in non-coding (formerly dubbed "junk") DNA that occur in 71% of malignant melanomas. They say the highly recurrent mutations may be the most common in this deadliest form of skin cancer, more common than the already well-known protein-coding BRAF gene, and may well offer an alternative target for treatment.
Researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, report their discovery in the 24 January issue of the journal Science Express, which publishes selected Science papers online in advance of print.
Nearly 99% of the human genome comprises what was once labelled "junk DNA" because unlike the other 1% or so, it does not contain blueprints for making proteins, the building blocks of life. Now scientists are beginning to discover that sections of DNA in this "dark matter" of the genome are "non-coding" genes that control the behavior of protein-coding genes...
