QUADRUPLE HELIX DNA AND EPIGENETICS IN

RHEUMATISM GENES 

Estefanía Reza LoaizaMedical Student

3rd Semester

INTRODUCTION 

'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in human cells. 

University of Cambridge (2013, January 20).

'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in human

cells.

Researches at Cambridge recently reported that there are quadruple structure DNA in human cancer cells.

'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in human cells. 

Scientists believe it may be possible to halt the runaway cell proliferation at the root of cancer by marking the quadruplexes with synthetic molecules that trap the genetic sequences and stop the DNA replication during cell division.

'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in human cells. 

By using antibody proteins, the researchers were able to identify the quadruple-structures DNA in human cells, especially during the S-Phase of cell division.

'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in human cells. 

The researchers also reported that a gene with a higher level of quadruple DNA is more vulnerable to external interference.

'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in human cells. Personal opinion

The finding of a whole different DNA structure within the human cells needs to be more investigated, since it could led to a new approach towards cancer and oncogenes studies

Epigenetics explains rheumatism? Genes and their regulatory 'tags' conspire to promote rheumatoid arthritis. 

Johns Hopkins Medicine (2013, January 20).

Epigenetics explains rheumatism? Genes and

their regulatory 'tags' conspire to promote

rheumatoid arthritis.

Scientists at Johns Hopkins and The Karolinska Institutet have spotted tagged DNA sequences important in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Epigenetics explains rheumatism?... 

Some tags depend on specific DNA sequences, while others depend on cellular processes and environmental changes. The investigators catalogued DNA sequences and tagging patterns in the white blood cells of 300 people in order to identify the two types of tagging events.

Epigenetics explains rheumatism?... 

As they were able to track the tag in DNA sequences implicated in rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment for this disease can have a major improve, since clinicians can directly attack the implicated genes and their tag.

Epigenetics explains rheumatism?... 

The researchers also reported that the amount of variation found in some tagging events give individuals a greater chance of adapting to environmental changes, and this is why some genetic sequences have to be preserved.

Epigenetics explains rheumatism?... Personal opinion

The important part of this research is that the results can explain the relationship between epigenetics and the development of not only rheumatoid arthritis, but other diseases with a genetic risk.

MEDICAL UTILITY 

The study of epigenetics and DNA structure is very important nowadays because it brings new answers about genetic and autoimmune diseases.  

MEDICAL UTILITY 

One of the most important things about this kind of investigations is that they not only clear things about the development and risk factors, but they shed a new light about the treatment.

It means, existing treatments can be changed and improved, and also, new treatments can be developed.   

MEDICAL UTILITY 

Tagging DNA sequences and marking genes can provide a better overview about the development and process of many diseases. 

MEDICAL UTILITY 

Talking specifically about the quadruplex DNA, we can be sure about the importance of this research when it comes to cancer treatment, since the investigators proved that DNA replication in cancer cells can be blocked.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

• University of Cambridge (2013, January 20).'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in humancells.

• Johns Hopkins Medicine (2013, January 20).Epigenetics explains rheumatism? Genes andtheir regulatory 'tags' conspire to promoterheumatoid arthritis.

THANK YOU