Korean Scientist Solves DNA Riddle
Kim Tae-gyu
Korea Times
_________
Seoul (South Korea):
A team of South Korean scientists has found a solution to a long-lasting riddle with regard to nucleic acids, which carry genetic information.
The findings are expected to enable the manufacturing of anti-cancer drugs by attacking specific nucleic acids that cause one of the most feared killers in the nature.The team, headed by Prof. Kim Kyeong-kyu at Sungkyunkwan University, yesterday said that they discovered a new structure of nucleic acids.
``We uncovered a three-dimensional structure in a certain part of nucleic acids, the juncture between B-DNA and Z-DNA, for the first time ever,Kim said.
Nucleic acids carry genetic information and they are found in all living cells and viruses. The most common nucleic acids are DNA and RNA.In the body, nucleic acids exist mainly in the form of B-DNA and researchers learned it changes into Z-DNA in the process of their metabolism.But it remains as a mystery how the two substances interact in the double-stranded structure of DNA since they are in different places; B-DNA is in the right strand while Z-DNA in the left.
``The junction between B-DNA and Z-DNA has eluded researchers because the latter is inherently unstable. But we pinpointed how the B-Z junction is possible through intensive studies, Kim said.
``DNA can shape itself into many forms to achieve its purposes in life. The crystal structure of the junction between B-Z DNA provides insight into how DNA might accomplish its function.
Oct 20, 2005
Kim Tae-gyu Korea Times
_________
Seoul (South Korea):
A team of South Korean scientists has found a solution to a long-lasting riddle with regard to nucleic acids, which carry genetic information.
The findings are expected to enable the manufacturing of anti-cancer drugs by attacking specific nucleic acids that cause one of the most feared killers in the nature.The team, headed by Prof. Kim Kyeong-kyu at Sungkyunkwan University, yesterday said that they discovered a new structure of nucleic acids.
``We uncovered a three-dimensional structure in a certain part of nucleic acids, the juncture between B-DNA and Z-DNA, for the first time ever,Kim said.
Nucleic acids carry genetic information and they are found in all living cells and viruses. The most common nucleic acids are DNA and RNA.In the body, nucleic acids exist mainly in the form of B-DNA and researchers learned it changes into Z-DNA in the process of their metabolism.But it remains as a mystery how the two substances interact in the double-stranded structure of DNA since they are in different places; B-DNA is in the right strand while Z-DNA in the left.
``The junction between B-DNA and Z-DNA has eluded researchers because the latter is inherently unstable. But we pinpointed how the B-Z junction is possible through intensive studies, Kim said.
``DNA can shape itself into many forms to achieve its purposes in life. The crystal structure of the junction between B-Z DNA provides insight into how DNA might accomplish its function.
Oct 20, 2005
