ʻCellʼ publishes a study that suggests the existence of a sixth DNA base
An article published in the journal Cell, led by Manel Esteller, professor in the Department of Physiological Sciences II and ICREA research professor at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), describes the possible existence of a sixth DNA base, the methyl-adenine (mA). The finding will also help to determine the epigenome and would, therefore, be key to cell life.
DNA is the main component of our genetic material. It is formed by combining four bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine) in thousands of possible sequences to provide the genetic variability that enables the wealth of aspects and functions of living beings. In the early 80s, to these four "classic" bases of DNA was added a fifth: the methyl-cytosine (mC) derived from cytosine. Now, the journal Cell publishes three papers suggesting that more complex cells, called eukaryotes, such as human body cells, present a sixth DNA base: the methyl-adenine. So far, it was known that bacteria had methyl-adenine in its genome with a protective function against the insertion of genetic material from other organisms. Now the challenge is to find out whether mammals, including humans, have this sixth DNA base and consider its role.
Article reference
H. Heyn, M. Esteller. «An adenine code for DNA: a second life for N6-methyladenine». Cell, April 2015. Doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.04.021
An article published in the journal Cell, led by Manel Esteller, professor in the Department of Physiological Sciences II and ICREA research professor at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), describes the possible existence of a sixth DNA base, the methyl-adenine (mA). The finding will also help to determine the epigenome and would, therefore, be key to cell life.
DNA is the main component of our genetic material. It is formed by combining four bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine) in thousands of possible sequences to provide the genetic variability that enables the wealth of aspects and functions of living beings. In the early 80s, to these four "classic" bases of DNA was added a fifth: the methyl-cytosine (mC) derived from cytosine. Now, the journal Cell publishes three papers suggesting that more complex cells, called eukaryotes, such as human body cells, present a sixth DNA base: the methyl-adenine. So far, it was known that bacteria had methyl-adenine in its genome with a protective function against the insertion of genetic material from other organisms. Now the challenge is to find out whether mammals, including humans, have this sixth DNA base and consider its role.
Article reference
H. Heyn, M. Esteller. «An adenine code for DNA: a second life for N6-methyladenine». Cell, April 2015. Doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.04.021