What does the "junk" DNA do?
Is anyone an expert in this subject? What are the best, most current theories on the uses of the DNA that doesn't go to encode protein production?
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Here is a
summary of some recent findings out of Stanford.
Thanks--a great summary. If you've got any more, I'd be interested to see them.
Also, if anyone knows any more technical papers that are still readable, I wouldn't mind a look.
I didn’t read the summary, but isn’t it just that they are there in case of mistakes created in meiosis and mitosis take up space so the important bits of DNA don’t get messed up.
I hope I was right, I hope I was right.
i suppose i am qualified to answer this question. my phd was focused on non-coding “junk” DNA. so called “junk” DNA has many roles. for example, some genes are not protein coding and are transcribed into functional RNAs. these RNAs are called miRNAs, ncRNAs, snRNAs, or transposons (there are also many other classes of functional RNAs). junk DNA can also have regulatory functions. for example small pieces of junk DNA can recruit factors to regulate adjacent protein-coding genes. these are probabily the two most recognized “junk” dna functions. if you would like to know more just let me know.
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