Untangle DNA
Physicist Julia Bakx obtained new insights into how cells resolve knots and twists in DNA using advanced optical tweezers. That proces s is essential for healthy cell division, DNA repair and preventing e rrors in the hereditary material. She focused on the human protein co mplex Topoisomerase IIIα along with its auxiliary proteins RMI1 and RMI2, collectively known as TRR.
During processes such as DNA r eplication, DNA frequently gets tangled. To prevent damage and errors , these structures must be accurately resolved. The study showed that TRR can cut single-stranded DNA, creating an opening of about 8.3 na nometers. Interestingly, the protein complex was found to be able to untangle not only knots in single-stranded DNA, but also structures c ontaining double-stranded DNA. This result was unexpected and offers new insights into the flexibility of the protein mechanism.
In addition, Bakx discovered that the process can also be reversed: TRR turns out to be able to twist two strands of DNA precisely around eac h other to form new knots. This provides a more complete picture of h ow these proteins can actively modify the structure of DNA.
In addition to the biological discoveries, Bakx also developed a new exp erimental method using four optical tweezers. With these, two strands of DNA could be twisted around each other several times without havi ng to attach the DNA to a surface. In previous experiments, such an a ttachment was always necessary. The new approach makes it possible to study DNA-protein interactions more faithfully and accurately, espec ially for complex DNA structures.
The results contribute to a b etter understanding of fundamental processes such as DNA replication and DNA repair. This is socially relevant because errors in these pro cesses can lead to genetic disorders and diseases such as cancer. Mor eover, the new method can help researchers in the future to more spec ifically investigate how proteins protect and repair DNA, which may u ltimately contribute to the development of new medical treatments.
Learn more about the thesis
DESCRIPTION: Untangle DNA Physicist Julia Bakx obtained new insights i nto how cells resolve knots and twists in DNA using advanced optical tweezers. That process is essential for healthy cell division, DNA re pair and preventing errors in the hereditary material. She focused on the human protein complex Topoisomerase IIIα along with its auxilia ry proteins RMI1 and RMI2, collectively known as TRR.During processes such as DNA replication, DNA frequently gets tangled. To prevent dam age and errors, these structures must be accurately resolved. The stu dy showed that TRR can cut single-stranded DNA, creating an opening o f about 8.3 nanometers. Interestingly, the protein complex was found to be able to untangle not only knots in single-stranded DNA, but als o structures containing double-stranded DNA. This result was unexpect ed and offers new insights into the flexibility of the protein mechan ism.In addition, Bakx discovered that the process can also be reverse d: TRR turns out to be able to twist two strands of DNA precisely aro und each other to form new knots. This provides a more complete pictu re of how these proteins can actively modify the structure of DNA.In addition to the biological discoveries, Bakx also developed a new exp erimental method using four optical tweezers. With these, two strands of DNA could be twisted around each other several times without havi ng to attach the DNA to a surface. In previous experiments, such an a ttachment was always necessary. The new approach makes it possible to study DNA-protein interactions more faithfully and accurately, espec ially for 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.Learn more about the thesis END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR