The
Quadruple Helix
Cambridge University Scientists have recently discovered quadruple
helices made up of four strands of DNA intricately laced together. Although
such a molecule has previously been produced in vitro under laboratory
conditions the discovery of the molecule in cancerous cells is the first known
example of a quadruple helix structure of DNA in naturally occurring human
cells. The Quadruple Helix, scientifically called a G-Quadruplex, is
most commonly found in regions of DNA rich in the nitrogenous base guanine. G-Quadruplexes occur in greatest abundance during the 's phase'
of cell replication and are formed inside chromosomes and telomeres.
The
discovery of the G-Quadruplex is of keen interest to the field of
oncology due to the fact the molecule has only been identified inside cancerous
cells. This means the G-Quadruplex could potentially have a role in
whether a cell becomes cancerous in the first place.
More significantly, however, is the possibility of
new treatments being developed which specifically target the G-Quadruplex
without damaging healthy cells. For years the 'holy grail' of oncology
is to find a characteristic specific to all
cancer cells alone which would allow such characteristics to be targeted without
damaging healthy cells, destroying the cancer. Indeed, Professor Shankar
Balasubramanian of the University of Cambridge's Department of Chemistry has
already detailed “...links between trapping the G-Quadruplexes
with molecules and the ability to stop cells dividing” suggesting
that the Quadruple Helix has a significant role in leading to the uncontrollable
and rapid division of cells in cancer.
-Adam
For more detailed information please have a look at this
excellent New Scientist article:
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