Evidence from a variety of data suggests that regulatory mechanisms in multicellular eukaryotes have evolved in such a manner that the stoichiometric relationship of the components of regulatory complexes affects target gene expression. This type of mechanism sets the level of gene expression and, as a consequence, the phenotypic characteristics. Because many types of regulatory processes exhibit dosage-dependent behavior, they would impact quantitative traits and contribute to their multigenic control in a semidominant fashion. Many dosage-dependent effects would also account for the extensive modulation of gene expression throughout the genome that occurs when chromosomes are added to or subtracted from the karyotype (aneuploidy). Moreover, because the majority of dosage-dependent regulators act negatively, this property can account for the up-regulation of genes in monosomics and hemizygous sex chromosomes to achieve dosage compensation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs that can regulate target mRNAs by binding to their 3'-UTRs. A single miRNA can regulate many mRNA targets, and several miRNAs can regulate a single mRNA. These have been reported to be involved in a variety of functions, including developmental transitions, neuronal patterning, apoptosis, adipogenesis metabolism and hematopoiesis in different organisms. Many oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are regulated by miRNAs. Studies conducted in the past few years have demonstrated the possible association between miRNAs and several human malignancies and infectious diseases. In this article, we have focused on the mechanism of miRNA biogenesis and the role of miRNAs in human health and disease.

The biological approach to synthesis of AuNPs is eco-friendly and an ideal method to develop environmentally sustainable nanoparticles alternative to existing methods. We have developed a simple, fast, clean, efficient, low-cost and eco-friendly single-step green chemistry approach for the synthesis of biocompatible gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from chloroauric acid (HAuCl(4)) using a water extract of Eclipta Alba leaves at room temperature. The AuNPs using Eclipta extract have been formed in very short time, even in less than 10 min. The as-synthesized AuNPs were thoroughly characterized by several physico-chemical techniques. The in vitro stability of as-synthesized AuNPs was studied in different buffer solutions. A plausible mechanism for the synthesis of AuNPs by Eclipta extract has been discussed. The biocompatibility of AuNPs was observed by in vitro cell culture assays. Finally, we have designed and developed a AuNPs-based drug delivery system (DDS) (Au-DOX) containing doxorubicin (DOX), a FDA approved anticancer drug. Administration of this DDS to breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) shows significant inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation compared to pristine doxorubicin. Therefore we strongly believe that the use of Eclipta Alba offers large-scale production of biocompatible AuNPs that can be used as a delivery vehicle for the treatment of cancer diseases.

Dosage compensation refers to the equal expression of X-linked genes despite the difference in copy number between the two sexes. The male-specific lethal (MSL) complex is concentrated on the X chromosome in males. A gene expression assay for embryos was developed to examine the function of this complex. In mutant male embryos without either the MSL complex or MOF histone acetylase, dosage compensation is retained but autosomal expression is increased. Dosage compensation is lost in the double-mutant embryos. In embryos in which the MSL complex and MOF are targeted to the X chromosomes in females, the results are consistent with previous surveys showing that in general the X expression remains unchanged, but autosomal expression is reduced. Mutations in the ISWI chromatin-remodeling component cause increases specifically of X-linked genes in males. Thus, the function of the MSL complex in conjunction with ISWI is postulated to override the effect on gene expression of high histone acetylation on the male X. The basic determinant of dosage compensation is suggested to be an inverse dosage effect produced by an imbalance of transcription factors on the X vs. the autosomes. The sequestration of the MSL complex to the male X may have evolved to counteract a similar effect on the autosomes and to prevent an overexpression of the X chromosome in males that would otherwise occur due to the high levels of histone acetylation.