Genetics in the News
Nancy Gerrard
"Seasonal Genes"
Before the discovery of seasonal genes, researchers at the University of Cambridge in John Todd's lab were taking blood samples from children all around the world throughout the years in order to research the effect that a gluten- free diet would have on children during their first year of life (BABYDIET). One researcher in Todd's lab named Xaquin Castro Dopico decided to ask a different question than the one provided in the research being done. Dopico decided to use the resources provided through BABYDIET (different blood collection over the years) and research whether gene expression not only change within a day, but within seasons (Taylor, May 12, 2015).
In Dopico and his team's research they found a multitude of discoveries. They found more than protein coding types of mRNA in white blood cells and adipose tissue that had seasonal expression profiles. They also saw that around 23% of our entire genome shows significant seasonal differences. Composition of the blood varied depending on the time of the year. They also found that seasonal genes displayed an opposing pattern in samples taken from the Southern vs Northern hemisphere (Dopico et al., 2015). 5,136 of 22,822 genes tested were found to have a response to change in the season (University of Cambridge, May 12, 2015). The ARNTL gene (an anti-inflammation suppressor gene) was seen to be more active during summer months, and less active in winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, causing an increase of inflammation during winter. This increase of inflammation can cause a lot of the autoimmune attacks seen during winter months. (University of Cambridge, May 12, 2015).
Among seasonal genes, there were two distinguishing patterns seen. 2,311 genes increased expression during the summer, and 2,826 genes up-regulated during winter months (Dopico et al., 2015). A set of genes associated with an individual's response to vaccinations was seen to be more active in the winter, causing questions whether if vaccinating during winter months would be more effective (University of Cambridge May 12, 2015).
Through this research, it was seen that certain genes are affected by a change in seasons, in terms of up-regulation during different times. Immune cell types possess their own circadian clocks on both a daily time and seasonal scale. This gives us an explanation as to why people are not only more diagnosed with disorders, but the extremity of these conditions are increased due to an increase in inflammatory response by our cells.
The Importance of Seasonal Genes to the Medical Community
Why Are These Findings Important to Nurses?
References
Dopico, X., Evangelou, M., Ferreira, R., Guo, H., Pekalski, M., Smyth, D., . . . Todd, J. (2015). Widespread seasonal gene expression reveals annual differences in human immunity and physiology. Nature Communications Nat Comms, 7000-7000. Retrieved November 2, 2015, from http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2015/150512/ncomms8000/full/ncomms8000.html
Taylor, A. (2015, May 12). Seasonal Genes. Retrieved November 28, 2015, from http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/42959/title/Seasonal-Genes/
University of Cambridge. (2015, May 12). Seasonal immunity: Activity of thousands of genes differs from winter to summer.ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 28, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150512112356.htm