Scientists Discover "Spatial Grammar" in DNA: Breakthrough Could Rewrite Genetics Textbooks

Scitech Daily ^ | August 24, 2024 | Washington State University

[SunkenCiv]

Researchers have discovered a "spatial grammar" in DNA that redefines the role of transcription factors in gene regulation, influencing our understanding of genetic variations and disease.

A recently uncovered code within DNA, referred to as "spatial grammar," may unlock the secret to how gene activity is encoded in the human genome.

This breakthrough finding, identified by researchers at Washington State University and the University of California, San Diego and published in Nature, revealed a long-postulated hidden spatial grammar embedded in DNA. The research could reshape scientists' understanding of gene regulation and how genetic variations may influence gene expression in development or disease...

Transcription factors, the proteins that control which genes in one's genome are turned on or off, play a crucial role in this code. Long thought of as either activators or repressors of gene activity, this research shows the function of transcription factors is far more complex.

"Contrary to what you will find in textbooks, transcription factors that act as true activators or repressors are surprisingly rare," said WSU assistant professor Sascha Duttke, who led much of the research at WSU's School of Molecular Biosciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Rather, the scientists found that most activators can also function as repressors...

Looking closer, researchers found the function of many transcription factors was highly position-dependent.

[piytar]

Didn’t catch the ref. Gaffer shoots and scores!!!

[alexander_busek]

So go ahead and mock away if you want.

All in good fun!

Regards,

[DannyTN]

So it’s like a pregnant pause? The perfect timing before a punch line?

[piytar]

Sorry I took it too seriously. 😔 Just a little touchy lately. Some jerks lashed out at some friends in the real world. So I am a bit on edge and over-reacted. My bad fellow Freeper.

[Adder]

ATG TAT CAG GGA TGA?

ATG GAC TTA TGA!

Know what I mean? Know what I mean? winkwink:nudgenudge...

[fella]

In Jasper Fford’s “Thursday Next” novels people were building chimera in home genetic labs. This brings that fantasy one step closer to reality.

PS: it also shows up in his nursery crime novels.

[one guy in new jersey]

say no more, squire...👍

[bgill]

Thanks but I’ll wait until Kamala can explain it.

[Buttons12]

Evolution. Is there anything it can’t do? ;)

[bert]

Unlike Free Republic, DNA has no grammar police

““Spatial grammar” refers to a recently discovered concept in genetics that describes how the positioning of transcription factors within DNA influences gene activity. This breakthrough reveals that the function of transcription factors, which control gene expression, is highly dependent on their spatial arrangement relative to the gene’s transcription start site12.

For example, a transcription factor might activate gene expression when positioned upstream (ahead) of where a gene’s transcription begins but inhibit its activity when located downstream (after the start site)2. This discovery adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of gene regulation and could have significant implications for genetic research and disease treatment1.”

[SunkenCiv]

:^) “no grammar police” lol

[piytar]

😂 Well done!

[Getready]

A well known fact. Look up “duons” for more evidence of tertiary “codes” found in the genetic structures.
For more fun look up “codon wobble” and “degenerate codons”
There is also the element of time involved because some of the genetic code has to be opened up and available during the transciption activity and at the correct spatial position.

Oh, yeah...forgot...the system must have evolved by time and chance due to “random” mutations....but stone arrowheads found in a stream didn’t.

[Getready]

Rich.

[SunkenCiv]

Nope, that’s a completely different thing.

https://www.sci.news/genetics/science-duons-code-dna-01618.html

[Albion Wilde]

The development of electron microscopy back in the 1970s accelerated the recognition that "inner space" going in towards infinity is as organized, structured and often beautifully patterned as what we perceive going outward towards infinity.

Red blood cells

Pollen

Penicillin fungus on bread

Intestinal microvilli

Tomato leaf cells

[SunkenCiv]

Pretty!

[Lowell1775]

Thank you.

[Yardstick]

Seems like another layer for encoding information. Remarkable how clever this stuff is.

[piytar]

Great! Now we FReepers are going to have to deal with constant complaints and pedantic corrections from DNA Grammar Nazis, too!

OK, that's just downright hilarious! Well played!!!