Secret second code found hiding within human DNA

[Unity+]

 

Scientists have long believed that DNA tells the cells how to make proteins. But the discovery of a new, second DNA code overnight suggests the body speaks two different languages.

The findings in the journal Science may have big implications for how medical experts use the genomes of patients to interpret and diagnose diseases, researchers said.

The newfound genetic code within deoxyribonucleic acid, the hereditary material that exists in nearly every cell of the body, was written right on top of the DNA code scientists had already cracked.

'A basic assumption about reading the human genome missed half of the picture.'

- John Stamatoyannopoulos, University of Washington associate professor of genome sciences and of medicine

Rather than concerning itself with proteins, this one instructs the cells on how genes are controlled.

Its discovery means DNA changes, or mutations that come with age or in response to viruses, may be doing more than what scientists previously thought, he said.

"For over 40 years we have assumed that DNA changes affecting the genetic code solely impact how proteins are made," said lead author John Stamatoyannopoulos, University of Washington associate professor of genome sciences and of medicine.

"Now we know that this basic assumption about reading the human genome missed half of the picture," he said.

"Many DNA changes that appear to alter protein sequences may actually cause disease by disrupting gene control programs or even both mechanisms simultaneously."

Scientists already knew that the genetic code uses a 64-letter alphabet called codons.

But now researchers have figured out that some of these codons have two meanings. Coined duons, these new elements of DNA language have one meaning related to protein sequence and another that is related to gene control.

The latter instructions "appear to stabilise certain beneficial features of proteins and how they are made," the study said.

The discovery was made as part of the international collaboration of research groups known as the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements Project, or ENCODE.

It is funded by the US National Human Genome Research Institute with the goal of finding out where and how the directions for biological functions are stored in the human genome.

I had already hypothesized this way before, but was considered a crackpot for it. I guess I was right in some areas.

[Moontanman]

Wouldn't this apply to all genomes?

[Unity+]

Wouldn't this apply to all genomes?

I would believe so, but I may wrong.

[Stetson]

I wonder what implications this has at making new medicine and the research for genetic diseases.

 

Yes Moontanman, DNA is DNA. So it would apply to all genomes. Although, specific biological functions of humans are exclusive to the human genome, but might share similarities to other genomes.

[Strange]

I had already hypothesized this way before, but was considered a crackpot for it. I guess I was right in some areas.

 

Do you have a link to the paper (or an article) being discussed in that quote? I would be interested to read more about this.

OK. I found this: http://www.washington.edu/news/2013/12/12/scientists-discover-double-meaning-in-genetic-code/ as a start...

I'm confused. Hasn't it always been known that some genes control gene expression, rather than coding for proteins?

[Strange]

A bit more browsing around came up with this commentary on the paper: http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/12/13/dont-be-duped-by-duon-dna-hype/

[Endy0816]

Yeah, Forbes reads much better.

[Unity+]

A bit more browsing around came up with this commentary on the paper: http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/12/13/dont-be-duped-by-duon-dna-hype/

Yeah, sorry for this. I guess the title glamoured itself too much.

[CharonY]

Yeah, I threatened the first student to say "duon" to indeterminate length of glass ware cleaning duty.