In a recent publication in the Journal of Cell Science researchers based in the School of Biological Sciences report now that heat modulates these survival systems by promoting the production of a novel protein. Intriguingly, this protein is only produced when elevated temperatures activate a gene that hides inside another gene.
The leader of the Genome Biology group, Dr Thomas Caspari says: "The discovery is reminiscent of a Russian doll were a set of smaller wooden figures is placed inside a larger doll. The existence of such hidden genes may explain why the human genome has a much smaller number of genes than initially expected. Our work may also help to improve heat-treatment of cancer for the benefit of patients. This research success was a real team effort made possible by the generous funding from Cancer Research Wales and the European Leonardo DaVinci Program."
Heat induction of a novel Rad9 variant from a cryptic translation initiation site reduces mitotic commitment
Janes S, Schmidt U, Garrido KA, Ney N, Concilio S, Zekri M, Caspari T
J Cell Sci. 2012 Jul 13