MAGE genes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MAGE genes - Essay Example Although no MAGE homologous sequences have been identified in Caenorhabditis elegans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Schizosaccharomyces pombe, MAGE sequences have been found in several vegetal species, including Arabidopsis thaliana. A database screening was performed to identify all of the recorded members of both classes of human MAGE genes. This report provided an overview of the MAGE family and proposed a general nomenclature for all of the MAGE genes identified thus far. The MAGE-D genes were particularly well conserved between man and mouse, suggesting that they exert important functions. In addition, the genomic structure of the MAGE-D genes indicates that one of them corresponds to the founder member of the family, and that all of the other MAGE genes are retrogenes derived from that common ancestral gene. MAGE-A1 belongs to a group of germline-specific genes that rely primarily on DNA methylation for repression in somatic tissues. In many types of tumors, the promoter of these genes becomes demethylated and transcription becomes activated. MAGE-A1 acts as a transcriptional repressor. MAGE -A1, the first characterized cancer-germline gene, belongs to a family of twelve genes located on the X chromosome in region q28 (5,6). Genes of the MAGE family have their entire coding sequences located in the last exon, which shows 64 to 85% identity with that of MAGE 1 (De Plaen et al., 1994). (An exception is MAGE D2, 300470). The coding sequences predict the main structural features of all MAGE proteins, in contrast, the promoters and first exons of the MAGE genes show considerable variability, possibly enabling the same function to be expressed under different transcriptional controls. In their annotation of the DNA sequence of the human X chromosome and the predicted proteome, Ross et al. (2005) noted that the MAGE domain was present in 32 genes. In comparison, only 4 other MAGE genes had been reported in the rest of the genome: MAGE F1 (609267) on chromosome 3, and MAGE L2 (605283), NDN (602117), and NDNL2 (608243) in the proximal portion of the long arm of chromosome 15. The MAGE gene products are members of the cancer-testis (CT) antigen group, which are characterized by their expression in a number of can cer types, while their expression in normal tissues is solely or predominantly in testis. This expression profile had led to the suggestion that the CT antigens are potential targets for tumor immunotherapy. Ross et al. (2005) stated that the X chromosome gene set they described contained 99 CT antigen genes, including novel members of the MAGE, GAGE, SSX, LAGE, CSAGE, and NXF families. Ross et al. (2005) predicted that approximately 10% of the genes on the X chromosome are of the CT antigen type. The remarkable enrichment for CT antigen genes on this chromosome relative to the rest of the genome may be indicative of a male advantage associated with these genes. Recessive alleles that are beneficial to males are expected to become fixed more rapidly on the X chromosome than on an autosome. If these alleles are detrimental to females, their expression could become restricted to male tissues as they rise to fixation. The CT antigen genes on the X chromosome are also notable for the ex pansion of various gene families by duplication. This degree of duplication is perhaps an indication of selection in males for increased copy number. In this

The Culture Effects in Women Performance at the Public Agencies in Research Proposal

The Culture Effects in Women Performance at the Public Agencies in Saudi Arabia - Research Proposal Example The rulers enforce the Islamic law in handling the state’s executive, administrative and judicial functions. The country’s most significant natural resource is oil and the main business areas are oil refinery, jewels etc. Development plans and policies are based on the Islamic values. Background of the Study: All Saudi Arabians are Muslims and some are included in a minority of Shia. They are following Handbali School of Islamic law. The women may not have any rights like men in the society. They have limitations to enter in to the society. They are not allowed to drive and without permission of male guardian (Muharam) they will not travel abroad. â€Å"Women are employed in girls' schools and the women's sections of universities, social work and development programs for women, banks that cater to female clients, medicine and nursing for women, television and radio programming, and computer and library work. Sections of markets are set aside for women sellers. However, only about 7 percent of Saudi Arabia's formal workforce is female† (Saudi Arabia, 2011). The separation is considered as the mechanism for sexual modesty. Their status is high in the family, in their role like mother or sister. A significant number of women are succeeding in academic, business, literary production etc, even when facing restrictions to public. This is because of the gaining popularity of women’s literature than earlier times.... The social and cultural rights of Saudi females are circumscribed by the values of sexual segregation that leads to restrain or limit their activity. Working in Saudi Arabia is a challenging factor, especially for women. Saudi Arabian culture and values are different it is highly oriented with Islamic religion. Their dresses also express religious piety. It must not be very fit for body and it must not attract any attentions. â€Å"Like a woman's clothing, a woman's role in Saudi Arabia culture is largely dictated by the prevailing religious beliefs. Unlike in the West, where a woman's equal partnership with her husband is at least given lip service, a Saudi marriage is often arranged† (A Women’s Perspective on Saudi Arabia Culture, 1995). Aim and Objectives: 1) To identify the various cultural barriers faced by the women in performing the public agencies in Saudi Arabia. 2) To identify the how the cultural values of Saudi Arabia affect the performance of women in publi c agencies? 3) To identify the various problems faced by the women in Saudi Arabia. Significance of Study: Saudi Arabian women are facing a big challenge to perform in public agencies. They feel like tied in the home. They do not have permission to enter in to the society or to be active in any economical or political field. The traditional culture and law make them feel bad for themselves. Western countries are giving high consideration to women’s opinion and participation. They do not face any restraints in entering in to the society and can travel at night also. They are self-sufficient and work in high positions in various organizations. Saudi women, also, have the urge to become independent and self-sufficient and they yearn for those things. But there are