Influencing Our Genetic Expression for Better Health

I recently learned that although we can not change our DNA, there is considerable opportunity to influence how our genes are expressed through RNA. So, I researched the mechanics of this gene expression through RNA and the role that microbiomes play in influencing that expression.

Here is what I found:

Gene expression is the process by which the genetic information stored in DNA is converted into a functional product, such as a protein, that can carry out specific cellular functions. This process involves two main stages: transcription and translation.

1. Transcription: In this first step, the DNA sequence of a gene is transcribed into a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA). This process is facilitated by an enzyme called RNA polymerase, which binds to the DNA at the promoter region of the gene and synthesizes the mRNA molecule by reading the DNA template.
2. Translation: The mRNA molecule then leaves the cell nucleus and enters the cytoplasm, where it is translated into a protein by ribosomes. This process involves reading the mRNA sequence in sets of three nucleotides called codons, each of which corresponds to a specific amino acid. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules carry amino acids to the ribosome, where they are added to the growing protein chain in the correct sequence according to the mRNA template.

The role of microbiomes in gene expression:

Microbiomes are communities of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that live on and within our bodies. They play a crucial role in human health, contributing to processes such as digestion, immune function, and the synthesis of essential vitamins.

These microbial communities can influence gene expression both positively and negatively through various mechanisms:

1. Epigenetic regulation: Microbes can produce metabolites and signaling molecules that can affect host gene expression by modifying the epigenome. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, can turn genes on or off by altering the accessibility of the DNA to transcriptional machinery.
2. Metabolic interactions: Microbes can produce compounds that can serve as substrates or cofactors for host enzymes or be involved in signaling pathways that regulate gene expression. For example, short-chain fatty acids produced by gut bacteria can modulate the expression of genes involved in immune function and inflammation.
3. Immune system modulation: Microbial communities can stimulate or suppress the host immune system, affecting the expression of genes involved in immune response and inflammation. This can have both positive and negative effects on health, depending on the balance of microbial species and the specific genes being modulated.
4. Direct interaction with host cells: Some microbes can directly interact with host cells, such as by adhering to the surface of the cells or even invading them. This can trigger cellular signaling pathways that affect gene expression, either positively or negatively, depending on the specific interaction and the genes involved.

In summary,?gene expression through RNA is the process by which genetic information is converted into functional proteins. Microbiomes can influence gene expression in various ways, including epigenetic regulation, metabolic interactions, immune system modulation, and direct interaction with host cells. These effects can be positive or negative, depending on the specific genes and microbial species involved.

Intrigued???

Here is a little more:

1. Gut-brain axis: The gut microbiome can influence gene expression in the brain and thus affect behavior and mental health. This communication pathway is often referred to as the "gut-brain axis." For instance, certain gut bacteria can produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that can affect mood and cognition. Imbalances in the gut microbiota have been associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as autism, depression, and anxiety.
2. Antibiotic resistance: Some bacteria in the microbiome can carry genes for antibiotic resistance. These genes can be transferred to other bacteria through a process called horizontal gene transfer, leading to the spread of antibiotic resistance. This is a major concern in public health as it can make infections harder to treat.
3. Influence on gene expression in cancer: Some studies suggest that the microbiome can influence gene expression in ways that promote or inhibit cancer. Certain bacteria may produce toxins or other metabolites that cause DNA damage or affect cell proliferation and apoptosis, potentially leading to cancer. On the other hand, some bacteria may have anti-cancer effects, such as by stimulating the immune system to target cancer cells or by producing metabolites that inhibit tumor growth.
4. Impact on metabolism and obesity: The gut microbiome can influence the expression of genes involved in metabolism and energy homeostasis, thus affecting body weight and risk of obesity. For example, some bacteria can ferment dietary fiber into short-chain fatty acids, which can influence the expression of genes related to appetite regulation and fat storage.
5. Role in immune system development: The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the development and function of the immune system. It can influence the expression of genes involved in immune cell development and function, and it can help educate the immune system to distinguish between harmful and harmless substances.

Research in this area is still ongoing, and our understanding of the complex interactions between the microbiome and host gene expression continues to evolve. With the advancement of technologies such as high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics, we are likely to gain even more insights into these interactions in the future.

So there is a company, Viome, that can run various panels of tests to identify your current microbiome culture and, through AI analytics, what that means in terms of positive or negative impacts on your ongoing genetic expression. They will then formulate your personal precision probiotic and nutritional supplement capsules that are optimally tailored to improve your healthy gene expression.

https://www.viome.com/

VIOME Full Body Intelligence? Test

Integrated Health Scores

• Gut Health
• Cellular & Energy Efficiency
• Inflammation Response
• Immune System Health
• Oral Health
• Brain & Cognitive Health
• Heart & Cardiometabolic Health
• Biological Age

Functional Scores

These scores describe both beneficial and harmful biological functions. They are made by combining pathway activities and are used to form your Health Scores.

• Inflammatory Activity
• Metabolic Fitness
• Digestive Efficiency
• Gut Lining Health
• Protein Fermentation
• Gas Production
• Gut Active Microbial Diversity
• Microbiome-induced Stress
• Cellular Senescence
• Cellular Stress
• Immune System Activation
• Breath Odor
• Dental Health
• Gum Health
• Oral Active Microbial Diversity
• Kidney-Heart health
• Microbiome-Heart health
• Vascular Health
• Neurotransmitter Production
• Neurocognitive Health
• Anxiety & Stress Response

Pathway Activities

Pathway activities describe biochemical reactions that produce beneficial or harmful molecules.

• Butyrate Production Pathways
• LPS Biosynthesis Pathways
• Methane Gas Production
• Sulfide Gas Production
• Ammonia Production Pathways
• Flagellar Assembly Pathways
• Putrescine Production Pathways
• Oxalate Metabolism Pathways
• Uric Acid Production Pathways
• Salt Stress Pathways
• Biofilm, Chemotaxis, and Virulence Pathways
• Bile Acid Metabolism Pathways
• TMA Production Pathways
• Mitochondrial Biogenesis Pathways
• Energy Production Pathways
• Oral Sulfide Production Pathways
• Oral Polyamine Production Pathways
• Cavity Promoting Microbes
• Cavity Promoting Pathways
• Oral Mucin Degradation Pathways
• Oral Inflammatory Pathways
• Vitamin D Pathways
• Homocysteine Pathways
• Renin-Angiotensin Pathways
• TMA Production Pathways
• Uremic Toxin Production Pathways
• LDL Cholesterol Pathways