In 2009, researchers led by Jonathan Weissman developed ribosome profiling to measure protein output in cells, uncovering 'dark proteins' previously unrecognized in the genome. These proteins, often short and unique, have raised questions about their functions and roles in cellular processes. While some may influence human health or be linked to cancer, their significance remains unclear, with scientists unsure whether they have lasting presence within cells. The discovery remains a significant area of study, with ongoing investigations into the potential implications for disease treatment and understanding protein synthesis.
"Not only were ribosomes busily churning out proteins encoded by known genes in a cell's genome, but they also seemed to be making thousands upon thousands of 'dark proteins'..."
"Dark proteins tend to be short - often just a few dozen amino acids or fewer. And many are unfamiliar - they don't have close relatives in the genomes of other organisms."
"...some could have essential roles in the cell and might influence human health. They seem to be abundant in some cancers, and several companies hope to develop treatments that target dark proteins."
"...for many of these mysterious entities, the evidence that they're doing anything important - or even whether they survive for very long in the cell - is equivocal."
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