Retinoblastoma
protein, when healthy, it helps control cell growth and development. When the
protein is unhealthy, the cells can overgrow and undergo premature death.
Mutations in this protein are the leading cause of eye cancer. Scientists,
trying to figure out how the protein works, and how it interacts with DNA,
turned to fruit flies. Fruit flies are genetically similar to humans, so
it made sense to study the eyes. The fruit flies would be seen with mutations
in their eyes, and scientists are now able to look at the mutations, if found
in humans, and explain why such things as folding (skin folding over the upper
eyelid) in the eyes happened. Although this discovery does not lead to a new
drug or a cure for the cancer, this advancement helps bring insight to cell
development and gene regulation. This also helps interpret gene code, which
controls how the cells grow and develop.
Submitted By: Sarah Herold
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