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A study in the journal BMC Medical Genomics indicates that smoking influences gene expression. By analyzing the white blood cells of smokers, 323 distinct genes were identified that are specifically related to smoking. The changes in gene expression caused by smoking have an adverse effect on the immune system. Smoking altered genes also influence other processes such as cell death and cancer formation.
The researchers claim that smoking not only influences single genes, but entire gene networks. Lead author of the study Jac Charlesworth states, "It is likely that this observed effect of smoking on transcription has larger implications for human disease risk, especially in relation to the increased risk of a wide variety of cancers throughout the body as a result of cigarette smoke exposure." Gene changes mean alterations in DNA which codes for the production of specific proteins. Due to this change in genetic code, proteins that are normally made in non-smoke influenced cells are not produced in smoke influenced cells.
Learn more about this study:
- Smoking Influences Gene Function Science Daily
Comments
Smoking indeed exposes carcinogens as well as mutagens into one’s genomic DND and thus leading to alterations in gene fuction and expression.
Question? Does smoking influence epigenetic factors such as histone acetylation and DNA methylation? The Genetics part is obvious though…