Human Disease Homologs
Human Disease Homologs - Related Videos
02:31
Homologous Recombination
0 Views •
2020
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
02:31
Homologous Recombination
0 Views •
2023
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
14:23
Recombineering Homologous Recombination Constructs in Drosophila
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Cited by 9 •
2013
Homologous recombination techniques greatly advance Drosophila genetics by enabling the creation of molecularly precise mutations. The recent adoption of recombineering allows one to manipulate large pieces of DNA and transform them into Drosophila6. The methods presented here combine these techniques to rapidly generate large homologous recombination vectors.
15:09
The Use of Primary Human Fibroblasts for Monitoring Mitochondrial Phenotypes in the Field of Parkinson's Disease
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Cited by 22 •
2012
Fibroblasts from patients carrying mutations in Parkinson's disease-causing genes represent an easily accessible ex vivo model to study disease-associated phenotypes. Live cell imaging gives the opportunity to study morphological and functional parameters in living cells. Here we describe the preparation of human fibroblasts and subsequent monitoring of mitochondrial phenotypes.
04:14
Generation of Antibiotic-Marked Mutants in Cyanobacteria via Homologous Recombination
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2025
Source: Lea-Smith, D. J., et al. Generation of Marked and Markerless Mutants in Model Cyanobacterial Species. J. Vis. Exp. (2016)The video demonstrates a method for generating antibiotic-marked mutants in cyanobacteria. The protocol begins with culturing cyanobacteria, followed by centrifugation and washing steps that preserve surface pili. A plasmid carrying an antibiotic resistance gene flanked by homologous sequences is then introduced. During incubation, the plasmid is internalized via pili...
FAQs
Conserved DNA regions and protein domains provide evidence that related molecular roles may persist across species. Researchers can compare these features between a human gene or protein and its counterpart to identify preserved regulatory elements, structural regions, or functional properties. This comparison helps distinguish potentially important changes from regions that are less clearly connected to disease-related activity.
A homolog can remain informative even when researchers examine more than the individual gene or protein. If the surrounding cellular pathway is also conserved, changes in the homolog can be interpreted within a related biological system. This context helps connect altered gene regulation or protein activity with broader effects on cell function, strengthening mechanistic studies of disease.
Mutations provide experimental ways to examine how altered genetic information affects regulation, protein activity, or cell function. Comparing the consequences of a mutation in a homologous system with the corresponding human disease context can clarify which molecular role has been disrupted. These observations support investigations of inherited disorders, cancer, infection, and other conditions.
The choice depends on the biological question and the homologous features that can be examined in each model. Mice, zebrafish, and yeast all provide comparative systems for investigating conserved genes, proteins, or pathways, but researchers must match the organism to the process under study. The selected model should allow disease-related changes and their cellular effects to be evaluated.
Researchers first compare the relevant human and organismal genes or proteins, including conserved DNA regions, protein domains, and related cellular pathways. They can then examine mutations or other changes and assess effects on gene regulation, protein activity, or cell function. The resulting comparison links molecular differences with disease-relevant biological outcomes in an experimental system.
A homologous system can provide a setting in which researchers examine the effects of a genetic variant on molecular or cellular behavior. The same comparative framework can also be used to test potential treatments in relation to those effects. Such experiments help connect variant interpretation with disease mechanisms and provide evidence for selecting or refining experimental treatment strategies.
Homolog-based models support research across several disease contexts, including inherited disorders, cancer, and infection. Their value comes from combining evolutionary conservation with experimental access to gene regulation, protein activity, and cell function. By studying these processes in organisms such as mice, zebrafish, or yeast, researchers can investigate how conserved biology contributes to human disease.