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Xue Zhang and colleagues report mutations in an inhibitory upstream open reading frame flanking the human hairless gene in individuals with Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis. These mutations result in increased translation of the main physiological hairless ORF, suggesting that fine-tuning of hairless protein levels is important in the control of hair growth.
Timothy Nelson and colleagues present a transcriptome atlas of 40 key cell types from rice (Oryza sativa). The atlas reveals previously unrecognized cellular properties, and should serve as an essential resource for functional genomic analyses of rice and other plants.
Comparing levels of genetic variation between the X chromosome and autosomes can reveal the different demographic histories of males and females of a species. Taking this approach, two new studies report that the effective population sizes of men and women differ, but they disagree as to which sex outnumbered the other.
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark directing stable, heritable gene silencing through development. A new study uncovers the importance of demethylation of the DNA methyltransferase-1 for maintenance of DNA methylation.
An increasing number of research papers are the products of research consortia. How is the journal coping with the effects of team knowledge production on publication? What can you do to expedite the publication of your work?
Three new studies identify nearly 20 new loci for serum lipid levels using predominantly a prospective cohort study design which also permits extensive and unbiased characterization of environmental exposures. Given the known, strong environmental influences on these traits, investigation of gene-environment interactions should be emphasized in attempts to understand the complete epidemiologic and genetic architecture of these complex traits.
The identification of targets of virally encoded microRNAs is essential to understanding their role in the viral life cycle. A new study reports the successful use of a microarray-based approach to identify a key target of a microRNA encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus, with implications for microRNA target identification in other contexts as well.
