Enzyme responsible for splitting DNA strands

In summary, scientists have discovered the 3D structure of an enzyme responsible for splitting DNA strands, which plays a crucial role in creating genetically unique offspring in humans and other organisms. The enzyme was derived from a bacteriophage and the research was funded by the Wellcome Trust, BBSRC, and Cancer Research UK. The next step is to observe this process in more complex systems.
  • #1
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This should be interesting for those in biochemsitry and genetics.

Scientists spy enzyme that makes us unique
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-10/uol-sse101707.php
Have you ever wondered why you inherited your mother’s smile but not your father’s height? Researchers at the Universities of Leeds and Dundee are one step closer to unravelling how nature combines both maternal and paternal DNA to create genetically unique offspring.

In a world first, Leeds researchers Professor Simon Phillips, Dr Stephen Carr and Dr Jonathan Hadden, together with Professor David Lilley at Dundee, have mapped the 3 dimensional structure of an enzyme responsible for splitting DNA strands – a process at the heart of human individuality.

The discovery of the T7 endonuclease 1 enzyme’s structure was made by using x-ray crystallography techniques. The enzyme is derived from a bacteriophage – a naturally occurring virus-like agent that attacks bacteria – but the molecular processes are expected to be similar in other organisms, including humans.

“Whilst the enzyme was known to play a central role, its physical structure, which is crucial to understanding the splitting process, has never been seen before. We’ve now got a 3D picture of it at work, and seen it at the point at which it is about to cut through the DNA strands. This is a major breakthrough in investigating the fundamental mechanisms at work behind the formation of a person’s DNA and how viruses replicate their DNA in the body,” says Professor Phillips.

In humans, this process starts at conception when maternal and paternal DNA strands join together at random points in their sequence(1). Enzymes such as T7 endonuclease 1 are then responsible for severing the strands at this junction, thus creating a third, unique DNA sequence for the offspring.

However, Professor Phillips says it will be some time before this process can be observed in humans. “It’s too important a discovery to rush. Our next step is to examine the process in a more complex system than bacteriophage, such as yeast,” he says.


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The work is the result of a long collaboration between the research groups at Leeds and Dundee and has been funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Cancer Research UK.

http://www.fbs.leeds.ac.uk/research/bulletin/index.php?id=1007
 
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  • #2
Always a pleasure to see science unravel another piece of the our biological puzzle. So far the enzyme from a http://www.mun.ca/biochem/courses/3107/Lectures/Topics/bacteriophage.html [Broken] behaves in this manner. It will be interesting to learn if higher organisms use the same mechanism.
 
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  • #3


This discovery is truly fascinating for those interested in the fields of biochemistry and genetics. The T7 endonuclease 1 enzyme plays a crucial role in the formation of a person's unique DNA sequence, and this study has provided a 3D picture of the enzyme at work. This breakthrough has the potential to further our understanding of how nature combines both maternal and paternal DNA to create genetically unique offspring.

The fact that this enzyme is derived from a bacteriophage, a naturally occurring virus-like agent, suggests that similar molecular processes may occur in humans and other organisms. This opens up the possibility for further research and discoveries in this area.

It is also worth noting that this work has been funded by various organizations, including the Wellcome Trust and the BBSRC, highlighting the importance and potential impact of this research on the scientific community.

Overall, this discovery of the T7 endonuclease 1 enzyme's structure is a significant step towards unraveling the complex processes behind the formation of our DNA. It will be interesting to see how further studies and observations in more complex systems, such as yeast, will build upon this research and contribute to our understanding of human individuality.
 

1. What is an enzyme responsible for splitting DNA strands?

An enzyme responsible for splitting DNA strands is called a helicase. It is a type of enzyme that breaks the hydrogen bonds between the two strands of DNA, allowing them to separate and be copied or repaired.

2. What is the function of a helicase?

The function of a helicase is to unzip the double-stranded DNA molecule by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs. This allows the DNA to be accessed for processes such as replication or repair.

3. How does a helicase work?

A helicase works by binding to the DNA molecule and using energy from ATP to move along the DNA strand, separating the two strands by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs. It moves in a 5' to 3' direction, unzipping the DNA as it goes.

4. What happens if there is a mutation in the helicase gene?

If there is a mutation in the helicase gene, it can lead to a malfunction of the enzyme and interfere with its ability to properly split DNA strands. This can result in errors during DNA replication or difficulty in repairing damaged DNA, potentially leading to genetic disorders or diseases.

5. Can helicases be found in all living organisms?

Yes, helicases are essential enzymes found in all living organisms, from bacteria to humans. They play a crucial role in vital processes such as DNA replication, repair, and transcription.

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