The
most obvious information contained in our DNA is the information
contained in the genetic code which allows us to predict the amino acid
sequence of protein products that are coded by genes. Although the
complete catalogue of proteins in the proteome is still incomplete,
other more subtle structural and sequence patterns are being uncovered
that may affect the regulation of gene expression and other genomic
activities. This fledging understanding of how and when genes are
transcribed is vital to understanding the biology that underlies health
and disease. This understanding may have been significantly advanced by
recently published work by Drs. Eran Segal, Jonathan Widom and
colleagues that suggests that there may be a subtle, degenerate code in
the DNA that determines where the DNA is likely to be pliable enough to
wind around the structural protein complexes called nucleosomes.
Published online in
Nature on July 19, 2006, the authors present data that supports the
existence of this new, non-obvious code which may help to explain how
DNA wraps itself around the nucleosomes. This secondary genomic
structure not only helps DNA package itself more compactly, but it also
has an effect on gene expression by regulating access to transcription
factor binding sites. It is believed that this discovery could provide
some important insights into how, why and when specific genes are--or
are not-- accessed for expression. Paid registration is required to
access this article.
Nicholas Wade also
reports on this new finding in the New York Times on July 26, 2006. Access is via free registration.
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