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A team of scientists at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) has uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that controls how genes are switched \u2018on\u2019 and \u2018off\u2019 during embryonic development. Published today in Developmental Cell, their study sheds light on how diverse cell types are produced in developing embryos.<\/p>\n
The research was led by Dr Ir\u00e8ne Amblard and Dr Vicki Metzis from the\u00a0Development and Transcriptional Control<\/a>\u00a0group, in collaboration with\u00a0LMS facilities<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Chromatin and Development<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Computational Regulatory Genomics<\/a>\u00a0groups.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n All cells contain the same DNA but must turn specific genes \u2018on\u2019 and \u2018off\u2019 \u2013 a process known as gene expression \u2013 to create different body parts. The cells in your eyes and arms harbour the same genes but \u2018express\u2019 them differently to become each body part. The work focused on the gene\u00a0Cdx2<\/b>. The duration of\u00a0Cdx2\u00a0expression helps to determine where and when a cell produces spinal cord progenitors. The researchers wanted to understand what processes control this brief window.\u00a0<\/p>\n The team discovered a DNA element they termed an\u00a0\u2018attenuator\u2019<\/b>, which reduces gene expression in a time and cell type-specific manner \u2013 unlike enhancers or silencers, other types of DNA elements that broadly switch genes on or off. By altering this element, they could tune how long or how strongly\u00a0Cdx2\u00a0was expressed, effectively acting like a \u2018genetic dimmer switch\u2019. Disrupting the \u2018switch\u2019 in mouse embryos also confirmed its essential role in shaping the developing body plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n This breakthrough paves the way towards programmable gene expression, offering the ability to precisely control gene activity in space and time. The findings not only deepen our understanding of developmental biology but may inform new\u00a0therapeutic strategies targeting the non-coding genome<\/a>. Such approaches could one day enable treatments that selectively adjust gene expression in specific tissues, with implications for diseases caused by gene misregulation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Vicki emphasized the potential: \u201cWe\u2019re excited because previous research suggests that our genome may harbour many different types of elements that finely tune gene expression, but they\u2019ve not been easy to identify. If we can address this challenge, this holds enormous potential for\u00a0unlocking new ways to treat diseases by fine-tuning gene expression where and when it\u2019s needed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The study, funded by Wellcome, with support from the Medical Research Council, adds to a growing body of work exploring how non-coding DNA governs gene regulation \u2013 an area with profound implications for medicine, from designing new gene therapies to improving treatments.\u00a0<\/p>\n Reference:\u00a0<\/b>Amblard I, Baranasic D, Xie SQ, et al. A dual enhancer-attenuator element ensures transient Cdx2 expression during mouse posterior body formation. Developmental Cell. 2025. doi:\u00a010.1016\/j.devcel.2025.06.006<\/a><\/p>\n This article has been republished from the following materials<\/a>. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release publishing policy can be accessed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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