After an organism passes away, the majority of its cells start to snuff out activity and die shortly afterward. However, other cells show a curious behavior. Rather of unwinding their operations, specific gene activities resurrect.1 Low Oxygen BeginningsDuring the earliest stages of embryonic development, stem cells multiply in a low oxygen environment. The genes that drive this phase are active for a brief amount of time. After the blastocyst implants into the uterus, eventually, oxygen levels increase and gene activity that was previously maintained by low oxygen levels silences.2,3 Survival InstinctCellular life after death might appear paradoxical, but sudden modifications in oxygen levels trigger protective reactions in cells. When oxygen levels plumet after organismal death, genes that are transcribed throughout the low oxygen stage of embryonic advancement are reactivated. Numerous emergency-mode genes also activate to support cell survival, consisting of those included in swelling, immunity, stress reactions, and cancer. Scientists studied this in zebrafish and mice, as well as human blood, liver, prostate, and brain tissue samples.1,4,5,6,7 Real-world Zombie GenesThere are useful applications for comprehending why and how genes are triggered after death. For example, forensic scientists apply insights from postmortem gene transcription to approximate the time of death in criminal cases. Scientists also use information about cancer gene reactivation to improve organ transplant outcomes. Carrying out transplant surgery before these genes end up being active might help in reducing the high incidence of cancer in organ transplant receivers.8 ReferencesPozhitkov AE, et al. Tracing the characteristics of gene transcripts after organismal death. Open Biol. 2017; 7( 1):160267. Michiels C. Physiological and pathological reactions to hypoxia. Am J Pathol. 2004; 164 (6 ):1875 -1882. Podkalicka P, et al. Hypoxia as a driving force of pluripotent stem cell reprogramming and distinction to endothelial cells. Biomolecules. 2020; 10( 12):1614. Antiga LG, et al. Cell survival and DNA damage repair work are promoted in the human blood thanatotranscriptome soon after death. Sci Rep. 2021; 11 (1):16585. Dachet F, et al. Selective time-dependent changes in activity and cell-specific gene expression in human postmortem brain. Sci Rep. 2021; 11(1):6078. Javan GT, et al. The apoptotic thanatotranscriptome connected with the liver of cadavers. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2015; 11( 4):509 -516. Tolbert M, et al. The thanatotranscriptome: Gene expression of male reproductive organs after death. Gene. 2018; 675:191 -196. Pozhitkov AE, Noble PA. Gene expression in the golden of death: The boost of thousands of records has ramifications to hair transplant, cancer, and forensic research study. Bioessays. 2017; 39(9):10.1002/ bies.201700066. Read the complete story.
After the blastocyst implants into the uterus, ultimately, oxygen levels increase and gene activity that was previously maintained by low oxygen levels silences.2,3 Survival InstinctCellular life after death may seem paradoxical, however sudden changes in oxygen levels trigger protective actions in cells. Genes that are transcribed throughout the low oxygen phase of embryonic development are reactivated when oxygen levels plumet after organismal death. Forensic scientists use insights from postmortem gene transcription to approximate the time of death in criminal cases. The thanatotranscriptome: Gene expression of male reproductive organs after death. Gene expression in the golden of death: The increase of thousands of records has ramifications to hair transplant, cancer, and forensic research study.