Noncoding DNA
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It has been suggested that Junk DNA be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) |
In genetics, non-coding DNA describes DNA which does not contain instructions for making proteins (or other cell products such as noncoding RNAs). In eukaryotes, a large percentage of many organisms' total genome sizes is comprised of noncoding DNA (a puzzle known as the "C-value enigma"). Some noncoding DNA is involved in regulating the activity of coding regions. However, much of this DNA has no known function and is sometimes referred to as "junk DNA".
Recent evidence suggests that "junk DNA" may in fact be employed by proteins created from coding DNA. An experiment concerning the relationship between introns and coded proteins provided evidence for a theory that "junk DNA" is just as important as coding DNA. This experiment consisted of damaging a portion of noncoding DNA in a plant which resulted in a significant change in the leaf structure because structural proteins depended on information contained in introns.
Some non-coding DNA can be a non phenotypical RNA virus historical relic.
See also
- Selfish DNA
- Eukaryotic chromosome fine structure
- Genetic code
- Intron
- Junk DNA
- Noncoding RNA
- Promoter
- Regulatory sequence
- Telomere
References
- Bennett, M.D. and I.J. Leitch (2005). "Genome size evolution in plants", in T.R. Gregory (ed.): The Evolution of the Genome. San Diego: Elsevier, 89-162.
- Gregory, T.R (2005). "Genome size evolution in animals", in T.R. Gregory (ed.): The Evolution of the Genome. San Diego: Elsevier.
External links
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
