ENCODE: The human encyclopaedia

Translating Lung Function Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) Findings

“…Also, because only 1.5% of the genome codes for protein, the project aimed at increasing our understanding of the remaining component of the genome which traditionally was inadequately understood (Ohno, 1972). Surprisingly, one of the ENCODE project accomplishments was to demonstrate that 80% of the genome is "associated with at least one biochemical function" (Maher, 2012). The ENCODE project passed through a pilot phase (Consortium et al, 2007), and currently is in the data production phase.…”

Long non-coding RNA in health and disease

“…ENCODE determined that protein-coding genes are not the only major units of the genome that is nearly fully transcribed. Only <3% of the transcripts originate from proteincoding genes [18]. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and PIWIinteracting 2 RNAs (piRNAs), describe the class of short ncRNAs.…”

Proteomics and Bioinformatics Soon to Resolve the Human Structural Interactome

“…Since then, humans' greater complexity has been substantiated by finely tuned regulatory and expression mechanisms, alternative splicing and post-translational modifications, and a dense protein interaction network resulting in a highly dynamic system. Indeed, the recent publication of the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE), which provides functional annotation for around 80% of the human genome, confirmed the intricate nature of gene expression control by revealing nearly 500,000 'promoter' and 'enhancer' regions [1]. In addition, studies of post-transcriptional alterations led to size estimates of the human proteome much higher than the number of genes, usually within the 100,000-1,000,000 protein range.…”