Table of contents
October 2007 Vol 8 No 10
From the editors
p727 | doi:10.1038/nrg2210
Research Highlights
Gene regulation: Differentiating the core machinery | PDF (238 KB)
p728 | doi:10.1038/nrg2209
Developmental biology: microRNAs create major divisions in embryogenesis | PDF (252 KB)
p729 | doi:10.1038/nrg2208
In brief
| PDF (117 KB)
p729 | doi:10.1038/nrg2216
Evo–Devo: The pros and cons of being different | PDF (203 KB)
p730 | doi:10.1038/nrg2212
Genome evolution: An innovative look at duplication | PDF (266 KB)
p730 | doi:10.1038/nrg2215
In brief
| PDF (118 KB)
p731 | doi:10.1038/nrg2217
Human genetics: Mitochondrial variation linked to type 2 diabetes | PDF (744 KB)
p732 | doi:10.1038/nrg2204
Genome evolution: A lateral take on eukaryotic inheritance | PDF (509 KB)
p732 | doi:10.1038/nrg2211
Genetic instability: Genomic instability links diet to cancer | PDF (246 KB)
p733 | doi:10.1038/nrg2213
Human genetics: Mapping with expression | PDF (352 KB)
p734 | doi:10.1038/nrg2214
Reviews
Emergence of a DNA-damage response network consisting of Fanconi anaemia and BRCA proteins
Weidong Wang
p735 | doi:10.1038/nrg2159
Prompted by the identification of the gene that is mutated in the last assigned Fanconi anaemia (FA) complementation group, the author discusses the growing evidence that FA proteins function as signal transducers and DNA-processing molecules in a DNA-damage response network, which consists of many proteins that maintain genome integrity.
Splicing in disease: disruption of the splicing code and the decoding machinery
Guey-Shin Wang & Thomas A. Cooper
p749 | doi:10.1038/nrg2164
Mutations that disrupt the splicing code, or the machinery required for splicing and its regulation, have roles in a range of diseases. It is also becoming apparent that genetic variation that affects splicing efficiency significantly contributes to disease severity and susceptibility.
Gene conversion: mechanisms, evolution and human disease
Jian-Min Chen, David N. Cooper, Nadia Chuzhanova, Claude Férec & George P. Patrinos
p762 | doi:10.1038/nrg2193
Gene conversion — the unidirectional transfer of information between highly homologous sequences — influences genome evolution and is the cause of several human inherited disorders. This article reviews our understanding of the mechanism of gene conversion, and its consequences for human health.
Ribozymes, riboswitches and beyond: regulation of gene expression without proteins
Alexander Serganov & Dinshaw J. Patel
p776 | doi:10.1038/nrg2172
Recent findings suggest that RNA-based elements such as ribozymes and RNA sensors have a widespread role in gene expression regulation. Studies of these RNAs provide insights into mechanisms of gene expression control and the evolution of cellular functions from RNA-based origins.
Renal abnormalities and their developmental origin
Andreas Schedl
p791 | doi:10.1038/nrg2205
Defects in kidney development can cause a wide range of disease phenotypes, from obvious renal abnormalities and Wilms tumour to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. A detailed understanding of the developmental genetics of the kidney is key to combating these diseases.
Analysis
The evolution of genetic networks by non-adaptive processes
Michael Lynch
p803 | doi:10.1038/nrg2192
To what extent is the architecture of genetic networks the product of natural selection? A population-genetic analysis of such networks shows that many of their features can arise through the neutral processes of genetic drift, mutation and recombination.
Perspective
Science and society
How geneticists can help reporters to get their story right
Celeste M. Condit
p815 | doi:10.1038/nrg2201
It is a common complaint that science journalists misrepresent genetics stories. The blame probably lies as much with geneticists themselves as with the reporters, and this article provides guidelines for getting the message across to journalists accurately.
