Scientists Confirmed a New DNA Structure Inside Human Cells (sciencealert.com) 36
Trax3001BBS quotes Science Alert:
For the first time, scientists have identified the existence of a new DNA structure never before seen in living cells. The discovery of what's described as a "twisted knot" of DNA in living cells confirms our complex genetic code is crafted with more intricate symmetry than just the double helix structure everybody associates with DNA -- and the forms these molecular variants take affect how our biology functions...
"It seems likely that they are there to help switch genes on or off," according to Garvan's Mahdi Zeraati, the first author of the new study, "and to affect whether a gene is actively read or not."
"It seems likely that they are there to help switch genes on or off," according to Garvan's Mahdi Zeraati, the first author of the new study, "and to affect whether a gene is actively read or not."
Re:Meanwhile I just dropped a new DNA structure... (Score:5, Funny)
Thanks, /. (Score:5, Interesting)
Here, pure-ass geekdom. Ahhhh....
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
Knotted phone cords are caused by picking up the handset with one hand, switching the handset to the other hand then putting it back causing a half-twist each time. So now the big question is, who or what is picking up your DNA? The probability of it being a female here on /. is quite small.
Interchange (Score:5, Funny)
- Hey, little piece of DNA, can you tell us what you're for?
- I'm a frayed knot...
Ob (Score:2)
It's obviously the documentation. The reason it hasn't been found until now is because nobody was looking for it.
That's ... (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
This is a DNA structure never before seen in any living cell. Knowing something is "possible" and finding it in a real living system is enormously different.
Re: (Score:2)
People who live in fantasies are surprised when reality doesn't match, but wonder why anyone is interested when it does match.
Not Symmetric (Score:5, Insightful)
The article says: "a "twisted knot" of DNA in living cells confirms our complex genetic code is crafted with more intricate symmetry". Knots are never symmetric. They are either right-handed or left-handed.
Re: (Score:2)
The article says: "a "twisted knot" of DNA in living cells confirms our complex genetic code is crafted with more intricate symmetry". Knots are never symmetric. They are either right-handed or left-handed.
Right - they should have said "more intricate geometry".
Re: (Score:2)
I guess you never knotted to strings together ...
Re: Not Symmetric (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Knots are never symmetric. They are either right-handed or left-handed.
Rotational symmetry is still symmetry. This knot [wikipedia.org], like many, more complicated others, has rotational symmetry.
As another poster has already pointed out the second statement above is also incorrect. This page [wikipedia.org] gives more information regarding symmetry / handedness in knots.
itrDNA (Score:2)
Slashdot is full of stale perspectives. It's a collection of has-beens and Russian bots.
In Russia, DNA tangles YOU!
This is called itrDNA - "Interfering Tangled Russian DNA". The effect was uncovered by measuring expression levels of the YUGE gene. See the companion papers "Long Term Silencing of MULLER With An siRNA Expression Vector" and "YUGE Is Regulated By Russians" in Nature Genetics.
Short version is that YUGE is influenced by the "Russian" interference. The itrDNA upregulates the production of an siRNA (YUGE) that specifically "colludes" with a not-fully-understood protein called FAKE.
But can it say (Score:2)
Multipass?