Posts Tagged ‘long terminal repeats’
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Long terminal repeats (LTRs) are a form of ‘junk DNA,’ genetic material that has accumulated in the human genome over millions of years. Although LTRs originate from viruses and are potentially harmful, they are usually made inactive when embryos are developing in the womb. A new international research collaboration demonstrates for the first time that if the inactivation doesn’t work, the LTRs can activate cancer genes. (Credit: iStockPhoto)
U. LEEDS (UK)—Junk DNA promotes the growth of cancer cells in patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and may play a role in other forms of cancer as well. Continue…
