researchers from Harvard Medical School in the United States said on Wednesday that within junk DNA in the yeast genome they have discovered a new class of gene.
Unlike other genes, the new one does not produce a protein or enzyme to carry out its function. But when it is turned on, it regulates a neighboring gene.
There are about 30,000 to 40,000 genes in the human genome. Much of the genome consists of junk DNA which scientists are trying to decipher to determine the causes and potential treatments for human diseases.
The new gene called SRG1 blocks the function of the adjacent gene in the yeast genome. Winston and his team, who reported their finding in the science journal Nature, believe other genes could work in the same way and in other organisms including humans.