Untangle DNA
Phy sicist Julia Bakx obtained new insights into how cells resolve knots and twists in DNA using advanced optical tweezers. That process is es sential for healthy cell division, DNA repair and preventing errors i n the hereditary material. She focused on the human protein complex T opoisomerase IIIα along with its auxiliary proteins RMI1 and RMI2, c ollectively known as TRR.
During processes such as DNA replicat ion, DNA frequently gets tangled. To prevent damage and errors, these structures must be accurately resolved. The study showed that TRR ca n cut single-stranded DNA, creating an opening of about 8.3 nanometer s. Interestingly, the protein complex was found to be able to untangl e not only knots in single-stranded DNA, but also structures containi ng double-stranded DNA. This result was unexpected and offers new ins ights into the flexibility of the protein mechanism.
In additio n, Bakx discovered that the process can also be reversed: TRR turns o ut to be able to twist two strands of DNA precisely around each other to form new knots. This provides a more complete picture of how thes e proteins can actively modify the structure of DNA.
In additio n to the biological discoveries, Bakx also developed a new experiment al method using four optical tweezers. With these, two strands of DNA could be twisted around each other several times without having to a ttach the DNA to a surface. In previous experiments, such an attachme nt was always necessary. The new approach makes it possible to study DNA-protein interactions more faithfully and accurately, especially f or complex DNA structures.
The results contribute to a better u nderstanding of fundamental processes such as DNA replication and DNA repair. This is socially relevant because errors in these processes can lead to genetic disorders and diseases such as cancer. Moreover, the new method can help researchers in the future to more specificall y investigate how proteins protect and repair DNA, which may ultimate ly contribute to the development of new medical treatments.
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DESCRIPTION: Physicist Julia Bakx obtained new insights into how cells resolve knots and twists in DNA using advanced optical tweezers. Tha t process is essential for healthy cell division, DNA repair and prev enting errors in the hereditary material. She focused on the human pr otein complex Topoisomerase IIIα along with its auxiliary proteins R MI1 and RMI2, collectively known as TRR. During processes such as DNA replication, DNA frequently gets tangled. To prevent damage and erro rs, these structures must be accurately resolved. The study showed th at TRR can cut single-stranded DNA, creating an opening of about 8.3 nanometers. Interestingly, the protein complex was found to be able t o untangle not only knots in single-stranded DNA, but also structures containing double-stranded DNA. This result was unexpected and offer s new insights into the flexibility of the protein mechanism. In addi tion, Bakx discovered that the process can also be reversed: TRR turn s out to be able to twist two strands of DNA precisely around each ot her to form new knots. This provides a more complete picture of how t hese proteins can actively modify the structure of DNA. In addition t o the biological discoveries, Bakx also developed a new experimental method using four optical tweezers. With these, two strands of DNA co uld be twisted around each other several times without having to atta ch the DNA to a surface. In previous experiments, such an attachment was always necessary. The new approach makes it possible to study DNA -protein interactions more faithfully and accurately, especially for complex DNA structures. The results contribute to a better understand ing of fundamental processes such as DNA replication and DNA repair. This is socially relevant because errors in these processes can lead to genetic disorders and diseases such as cancer. Moreover, the new m ethod can help researchers in the future to more specifically investi gate how proteins protect and repair DNA, which may ultimately contri bute to the development of new medical treatments. Learn more about t he thesis Untangle DNA END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR