Discovery of quadruple helix DNA could lead to cancer breakthrough

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Raw Story

Discovery of quadruple helix DNA could lead to cancer breakthrough
By Stephen C. Webster
Monday, January 21, 2013 9:31 EST


Scientists at the University of Cambridge reported Sunday that they have discovered quadruple helix DNA inside human cells by creating synthetic molecules that seek it out — raising the potential that future medicines may be able to pinpoint and shut down DNA replication within cancerous tumors.

Although the findings, published in the scientific journal Nature Chemistry, still leave a lot of unanswered questions about quadruple helix DNA, the work released Sunday is a breakthrough brought about by more than a decade of research.

Still, 60 years on from the discovery of DNA, scientists do not know why traditionally double helix structures loop back in on themselves sometimes during replication. They’ve known these structures exist in a laboratory setting, but the Cambridge findings are the first to pinpoint the formation of “quadruplexes” within living human cells.

Observing the structures was no easy feat, however. Scientists had to create synthetic bio-luminescent antibody proteins that seek out and bind to quadruplexes at various stages in cell division. The proteins were built in such a way that they glow more brightly during DNA replication.




Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/01/21/discovery-of-quadruple-helix-dna-could-lead-to-cancer-breakthrough/

[drm604]

1. Very interesting.

Whether or not this leads to a cancer breakthrough is still an open question, as the article states, but any new insight into the process of cell replication is a good thing.

[Daemonaquila]

2. Here's a much better written story -

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/341836

The one you linked to was written by someone who didn't understand it enough to do the findings and their impact justice.

[magical thyme]

3. very cool...thank you

and thank you Daemonq for the extra link