NORAD Gene Could Aid Cancer Research | The Institute for Creation Research

NORAD Gene Could Aid Cancer Research

Non-coding does not mean non-functioning. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a linear, single-stranded polymer (large molecule) that contains D-ribose nucleotides that are copied from a DNA template—RNA genes function in the genome. These include a huge diversity of short and long RNAs. Some code for proteins while many others are used in a wide variety of cellular processes.

Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center discovered a gene called NORAD that, unlike protein-coding genes, makes a long functional RNA that works directly in the cell's nucleus.1 NORAD helps preserve the correct number of chromosomes in cells (e.g. 46 for humans). Conversely, the cellular chromosome number becomes unbalanced when the NORAD goes awry, a common trait in cancerous cells.

Because DNA damage activates the expression of important RNA genes, molecular biologists have called this gene Non-coding RNA Activated by DNA Damage, or NORAD. When it's absent or inactive, cells commonly experience the gain or loss of entire chromosomes—definitely a problem for human health. Continued research seems to make a strong connection between NORAD and cancerous tumors.

This amazing NORAD gene generates an extended non-coding RNA sequence, long deemed insignificant in the genome—until now. Medical investigator Dr. Joshua Mendell said, "This is an entirely new function for a non-coding RNA and may have implications in cancer biology since genomic instability is a hallmark of tumor cells."2 Evidently, maintaining the normal chromosome number in a cell is the critical function the NORAD RNA provides.

And it appears there are more than twice as many long non-coding RNA genes in the genome than there are protein genes. And many of these are proving to be key players in regulating overall gene expression and function in the genome.

More and more cell biologists are beginning to realize that non-coding regions of DNA and RNA do not automatically mean these sequences have no purpose. Like "junk DNA" passed off by evolutionists as useless but later found to be functional,3,4,5 creation scientists see the Creator's Hand in non-coding RNA sequences produced by NORAD.

References

  1. UT Southwestern Scientists Discover a New Role for RNA in Safeguarding Chromosome Number in Human Cells, with Implications for Cancer Biology. newswise. Posted on newswise.com December 23, 2015, accessed January 4, 2016. 
  2. Tomkins, J. 2015. Extreme Information: Biocomplexity of Interlocking Genome Languages. Creation Research Society Quarterly Journal. 51 (3): 187-201.
  3. Tomkins, J. 2012. Junk DNA Myth Continues Its Demise. Acts & Facts. 41 (11): 11-13.
  4. Jeanson, N. 2013. Does "Junk DNA" Exist? Acts & Facts. 42 (4): 20.
  5. Tomkins, J. ENCODE Reveals Incredible Genome Complexity and Function. Creation Science Update. Posted on icr.org September 24, 2012, accessed January 4, 2016.

*Mr. Sherwin is Research Associate, Senior Lecturer, and Science Writer at the Institute for Creation Research.

Article posted on January 14, 2016.

The Latest
CREATION.LIVE PODCAST
Beauty for Beauty's Sake! | Creation.Live Podcast: Episode 17
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? Or is beauty an objective standard? Where do our ideas of beauty even come from?   Hosts...

NEWS
Fire Sensory Capabilities of the Venus Flytrap
Fascinating discoveries have been made regarding the amazing Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula).1 For example, all parts of this amazing plant...

CREATION PODCAST
What Really Swallowed Jonah? | The Creation Podcast: Episode...
The book of Jonah contains the historical account of the prophet Jonah. In verse 17 of chapter 1, the text states that the Lord prepared a great...

NEWS
More Flood Evidence
Paleontologists recently discovered the partial fossils of two new species of dinosaur just outside of Casablanca. As stated in a Science Direct article,...

NEWS
New York Times Editorial: Big Bang Unraveling?
Two physicists have suggested in a recent New York Times guest editorial that Big Bang cosmology ‘may be starting to unravel.’1...

NEWS
Your Functional ''Yolk Sac''
For decades, evolutionists pointed to dozens of ‘useless artifacts’ of the human body to make their questionable case for evolution. But...

NEWS
The Beauty of Creation: Created for God’s Own Glory
Have you ever wondered why a sunset on a beach is captivating, snowcapped mountains are breathtaking, and a valley filled with wildflowers is enchanting? Scripture,...

CREATION PODCAST
Devastating, Dangerous, and Deadly Bacteria? | The Creation Podcast:...
Bacteria are everywhere! While we can't see them with the naked eye, these little critters are everywhere, even in and on your body! Some of...

NEWS
Pre-Flood Reptile Fossil Discovered With Baleen
Baleen whales (suborder Mysticeti) are amazing filter-feeding mammals of the sea. They belong to a group called the Cetacea. Evolutionists suggest they...

NEWS
September 2023 ICR Wallpaper
"If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and...