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Junk DNA may not be so junky after all

Scientists have identified human enhancers able to control expression consistent with the zebrafish ret gene, shedding light on Hirschsprung disease and multiple endocrine neoplasia. The new system uses zebrafish to test mammalian DNA and is a significant advance over current methods.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience·DateMar 23, 2006

Junk DNA yields new kind of gene

Researchers found a new regulatory gene, SRG1, which blocks the expression of adjacent genes by physically preventing transcription factors from binding. This discovery provides evidence that junk DNA may have hidden functions and could be a common mechanism for regulating gene expression.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJun 2, 2004