We are all familiar with the double-helix structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that represents the book of human life, with four different bases attached to two poles. But surprisingly, for the first time, a healthy person's cell has been shown to have DNA with four strands instead of two.
Previously, four strands of DNA have been made in laboratories for a short time, and some cancer patients have seen similarly damaged DNA, but this is the first time it has been seen in a perfectly healthy person.
Marco de Antonio, a scientist at Imperial College London, said: "There is no doubt that we have seen four strands of DNA, after which we have to rethink the biology of DNA. ‘
DNA consists of four nucleus bases. Their names are adenine, cytosine, guanine, and Thai man, abbreviated as A, C, G, and T. These four bases are connected in different order. But interestingly, only the four molecules of Guinean are capable of combining to form a square structure. Thus it became the only basis that could connect with itself.
Dr. Antonio also did some work on it at Cambridge University. To do this, they used a new type of illuminating ink to accurately visualize four strands of DNA in human tissue. Following this discovery, Antonio believes that it will also help us understand the formation and dissemination of genetic information.
"We know how DNA works, but we don't know when and where cellular instructions work," he said. How many genes does it activate and how many proteins does it make?
But now the question arises, what is the use of four strands of DNA? Scientists say that this strange creature may help to unravel DNA molecules and read genetic information, which in turn produces proteins. It may also control the number of proteins that make up DNA.
These processes are usually performed by epigenetic markers. These are chemical tags that increase or decrease genetic activity. It seems that the four-threaded DNA is doing the same thing.
"Our knowledge of conventional double-stranded DNA is outdated," said Zoe Waller, a scientist at the University of East Anglia. If we consider the new structure to be normal, it will be another valuable addition to our knowledge of the rapidly changing structure of DNA.
