Apex Tribune - World Latest Breaking News

We Bring News To You

Sunday, October 1, 2023
Log in
  • National News
  • Business & Financial News
  • Tech & Science
  • Health & Lifestyle
  • Latest News
    • John Cena and the Dead Celebrity Prank Trend
    • Tinder Lets You Send Gifs and Upload Pictures from Your Phone
    • Google’s Al Department Created the First ‘Dreaming’ Computer
    • The Pros and Cons of Lowering The Legal Drinking Age
Home » Scientists Discover New Form of DNA Structure in Human Cells

Scientists Discover New Form of DNA Structure in Human Cells

April 25, 2018 by Jakob Nielsen Leave a Comment

Twisted knot DNA shapesA team of researchers has just discovered a new form of DNA structure, that looks like a “twisted knot.” The newly found structure, dubbed the “intercalated motif” aka the “i-motif,” plays a central role in the way the DNA code is read.

The DNA component was first discovered two decades ago, but it is the first time a group of scientists spotted it in living human cells.

A study detailing the findings appeared in the Nature Chemistry journal this week.

 When most of us think of DNA, we think of the double helix,

co-author Daniel Christ said.

He added that the latest research brings proof that there are different types of DNA, not just the double helix one.

The double helix structure was first discovered in 1953 by Francis Crick and James Watson. The structure is shaped like a twisted ladder. The twisted knot is very different from the double helix.

The New Form of DNA Structure Turns Genes On and Off

The i-motif is made of four strands tied in a “knot”. In this structure, the nucleotides called cytosine (C) in a strand create a pair with each another. In the double helix structure, the cytosines bind to the guanines (Gs) in the opposite strand.

Researchers were able to detect the twisted knot shapes in living cells through tiny bits of antibodies that are attracted to the i-motif shapes. The team engineered the antibodies to bind to those structures alone.

  • Next, the team poured fluorescent dye on the antibodies to track their location in various types of the human cells.
  • Scientists could see the location of the i-motifs by looking at the green spots.

The green spots vanished over time which means that the i-motifs form, dissolve, and form again. The newly discovered DNA shapes seem to switch genes on and off and decide whether a gene is read or not.
Image Source: Flickr

Filed Under: Health & Lifestyle

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Little House on the Prairie Book

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Name Banned From Children’s Book Award

June 25, 2018 By Jakob Nielsen Leave a Comment

Walmart parking lot

Pastor Guns Down Shooter at Washington State Walmart

June 20, 2018 By Jakob Nielsen Leave a Comment

President Donald Trump

Court Rules that the President Cannot Block His Twitter Critics

May 24, 2018 By Jakob Nielsen Leave a Comment

Statue of Liberty and NYC Skyline

NYC Sues Fossil Fuel Industry over Hidden Costs of Climate Change

January 12, 2018 By Jakob Nielsen Leave a Comment

GOP Senator John McCain and George W. Bush

Sen John McCain to Miss Tax Plan Vote Because of Cancer Therapy

December 18, 2017 By Jakob Nielsen Leave a Comment

Cell phone tower against a light blue sky

SCOTUS to Decide on Whether Feds Can Track Phones without Warrant

November 28, 2017 By Jakob Nielsen Leave a Comment

Categories

  • Business & Financial News
  • Entertainment
  • Health & Lifestyle
  • National News
  • Nature
  • Science
  • Tech & Science
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • US
  • World

Archives

Copyright © 2023 ApexTribune.com
About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Contact