The search of the origin of DNA and alternative functions

THE SEARCH OF THE ORIGIN OF DNA AND OTHER ALTERNATIVE

FUNCTIONS Catalina Bermúdez González

Third semesterMolecular biology

Bolivarian Pontifical University 

Folding

Introduction

Transcription

•DNA be template for the synthesis of RNA by the enzyme RNA polymerase

Translation

•RNA serves as an intermediary to carry the genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm

•Serves as template for the synthesis of proteins

DNADouble chainDesoxirribose

sugarTimine

RNASingle chainRibose sugar

Uracil

Science Daily (Jan. 9, 2012) 

Simpler Times: Did an Earlier Genetic Molecule Predate DNA and RNA? 

The Scientifics are searching alternatives genetic molecules for know how the first life began

TNA is a nucleic acid similar to DNA and RNA but has a threose (tetrose sugar) so is more simple than de ribose or desoxiribose sugar, so could assemble more easily in a probiotic world

Simpler Times: Did an Earlier Genetic Molecule Predate DNA and RNA?

A single strand of TNA can bind with DNA and RNA using polymerase enzymes

TNA nucleotides could attach by complementary base pairing to a random sequence of DNA, forming a hybrid DNA-TNA strand

Simpler Times: Did an Earlier Genetic Molecule Predate DNA and RNA?

TNA can fold into complex shapes that can bind to a desired target with high affinity so the scientifics hope to produce a TNA as a high-specificity binding receptor for the human protein thrombin

Simpler Times: Did an Earlier Genetic Molecule Predate DNA and RNA?

Comment

Beside for be a new knowledge with a great application in medicine and high technologist especially in gene therapy, if it continues to deepen the study could be a new theory about the origin of life . 

By Sabrina Richards (January 19, 2012)

Can DNA Self-replicate? 

Use DNA’s simplicity to build nanostructures of DNA that mimic polymerases or another enzymes for do biological process

Can DNA Self-replicate? 

DNA nanostructures is used to enzymatic reactions

Meta-DNA structures was build using pieces of DNA

Meta-bases are three strands of double-stranded DNA. The ends of strand complement the other two

Can DNA Self-replicate? 

Meta-DNA act like enzymes and providing an opening for other single-stranded bit of meta-DNA to bind. New meta-bases could start binding allowing for possible enzymatic reactions.

The meta-DNA should eliminate unnecessary unpredictability of RNA and proteins but to become useful, have to interact proteins and the preform reactions more slowly

Can DNA Self-replicate? 

CommentThis development would facilitate gene therapy and become more efficient in terms of reduction process should be done, but I think it is a study that is still not very viable because the target DNA require the interaction with proteins and reactions develop more slowly 

MEDICAL UTILITY 

These developments increasingly specialized can be used extensively in medicine, especially in gene therapy. 

MEDICAL UTILITY 

The TNA can be adopted to mark places of micro clots doing to bring human  protein Thrombin receptor  be useful for surgery

As the TNA a precursor molecule of primitive life forms could be created vectors carrying 

DNA strands or drugs directly to cellular receptors

MEDICAL UTILITY 

With regard to self-replication of DNA if a string can start processes that normally require many other factors, would be more efficient therapy.

The most important thing is to give the patient the greatest possible comfort and quality of life because after all the objetive of science is always to serve the people  

MEDICAL UTILITY 

MARTINEZ SANCHEZ , Lina María. Biología molecular. 6. ed. Medellín: UPB. Facultad de medicina, 2012. 70 p.

Simpler Times: Did an Earlier Genetic Molecule Predate DNA and RNA?. Science daily [seriada en línea]. Enero 9, 2012. Disponible en: URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109103029.htm. Consultado Enero, 2012.

RICHARDS, Sabrina. Can DNA Self-replicate?.The Scientist: Magazine of the life sciences [Seriada en línea] Enero 19, 2012. Disponible en: URL:http://the-scientist.com/2012/01/19/can-dna-self-replicate/. Consultado Enero, 2012

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