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Cell Homologies: 3 Key Ideas
1. 1,000's of Genes Are Conserved Among All Animals
40% of the 15,000 Worm Genes Have a Homologue in Humans
| Worm Gene | Human Cancer Gene | Gene Function |
| let-60 | Ras Proto-oncogene | Cell Signalling |
| ced-9 | Bcl-2 Proto-oncogene | Cell Death |
2. Using Homologues to Learn About a Process in a Model Animal
example - nervous system function
| Gene | Function | Human Nervous System Gene? |
| unc-30 | cell fate determination | yes (homeodomain) |
| unc-4 | synaptic specificity | yes (homeodomain) |
| unc-5 | neuronal guidance | yes (receptor) |
| unc-2 | Calcium channel | yes (channel) |
| unc-25 | GABA synthesis | yes (Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase) |
| cha-1 | produce Ach | yes (choline acetyltransferase) |
| unc-17 | store Ach | yes (acetylcholine transporter) |
| unc-104 | vesicle transport | yes (kinesin) |
| snt-1 | synaptic release | yes (synaptotagmin) |
| unc-18 | synaptic release | ? (yeast secretion protein) |
3. Does the Homologue Always Function in the Same Cell Types? No!
| Worm Gene | Human Gene |
| spe-4 | S182, early onset |
| (sperm production) | Alzheimer's Gene |
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