What is transcriptomics?
Transcriptomics is the study of an organism's transcriptome, which is the sum of all of its RNA transcripts. This includes messenger RNA (mRNA) and noncoding RNAs [1]. RNA molecules are transcribed from DNA molecules and play a vital role in making proteins [2]. Transcriptomics is used to measure the expression of an organism's genes in different tissues. This can be used to gain insight on gene regulation, changes in expression, and understanding various human diseases [1].
Discussion
SCN1A RNA expression is detected almost solely in the brain, especially in the cerebral cortex [3]. This is consistent with FHM3, as the cause of hemiplegia and aura is believed to be cortical spreading depression. It is interesting to see that there is expression in female tissues but not in male. This may have something to do with why FHM3, along with other types of migraine, are more common in women than men [4].
References
[1] Lowe, R., Shirley, N., Bleackley, M., Dolan, S., & Shafee, T. (2017). Transcriptomics Technologies. PLOS Computational Biology, 13(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005457
[2] Transcriptome Fact sheet. National Human Genome Research Institute. (n.d.). https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Transcriptome-Fact-Sheet
[3] Human Protein Atlas. (n.d.). SCN1A Tissue Expression. The Human Protein Atlas. https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000144285-SCN1A/tissue
[4] Kazemi, H., Speckmann, E.-J., & Gorji, A. (2014). Familial Hemiplegic Migraine and Spreading Depression. Iranian Journal of Child Neurology, 8(3). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4135274/
[2] Transcriptome Fact sheet. National Human Genome Research Institute. (n.d.). https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Transcriptome-Fact-Sheet
[3] Human Protein Atlas. (n.d.). SCN1A Tissue Expression. The Human Protein Atlas. https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000144285-SCN1A/tissue
[4] Kazemi, H., Speckmann, E.-J., & Gorji, A. (2014). Familial Hemiplegic Migraine and Spreading Depression. Iranian Journal of Child Neurology, 8(3). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4135274/
About the website
This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison
Joely Swanson, [email protected]
Last updated April 9th, 2024
Genetics 564 website
Joely Swanson, [email protected]
Last updated April 9th, 2024
Genetics 564 website