PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Radioactivity muddles the alphabet of DNA

2013-12-17
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Megan Meates
megan.meates@curtin.edu.au
61-892-664-241
Curtin University
Radioactivity muddles the alphabet of DNA Curtin University researchers have shown natural radioactivity within DNA can alter chemical compounds, providing a new pathway for genetic mutation.

The research, recently published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta-General Subjects, for the first time looked at natural radioactivity within human DNA on the atomic-scale.

While radioactivity occurs naturally in our bodies as well as in every living organism across the planet, it was never before thought to affect our DNA in such a direct way.

Using high-performance computers, the research team from Curtin and Los Alamos National Laboratory were able to show radioactivity could alter molecular structures which encode genetic information, creating new molecules that do not belong to the four-letter alphabet of DNA.

Professor Nigel Marks from Curtin's Discipline of Physics and Astronomy and Curtin's Nanochemistry Research Institute said the new molecules may well generate mutations by confusing the replication mechanisms in DNA.

"This work takes an entirely new direction on research into natural radioactivity in biology and raises important questions about genetic mutation," Professor Marks said.

"We have discovered a subtle process that could easily be overlooked by the standard cell repair mechanisms in the body, potentially creating a new pathway for mutations to occur."

Professor Marks said the work was both exciting and unexpected, emerging as a spin-off from an Australian Research Council funded project on nuclear waste.

"As part of the project between Curtin and Los Alamos we developed a suite of computational tools to examine deliberate radioactivity in crystalline solids, only to later realise that the same methods could be applied to natural radioactivity in molecules," he said.

"This direction was an unplanned outcome of our research program – just the way blue skies research should be."

The natural radioactivity in focus involved the decay of carbon atoms, Carbon-14, turning into nitrogen atoms, Nitrogen-14.

Professor Marks said this was one of the most abundant forms of radioactive decay occurring in biological systems. Over a human lifetime, around 50 billion Carbon-14 decays occur within our DNA.

"While it is still not obvious how DNA replication is affected by the presence of chemical compounds that are different to the four-letter alphabet of DNA, it is quite remarkable to consider that Carbon-14 could be a source of genetic mutation that would be impossible to avoid due to the universal presence of radiocarbon in the environment," Professor Marks said.

### The research paper, Carbon-14 decay as a source of non-canonical bases in DNA, is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304416513004431


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Infrared sheds light on single protein complexes

2013-12-17
Infrared sheds light on single protein complexes Proteins are basic building blocks of life. The chemistry and structure of proteins are essential for their biological function. Indeed, the structure of proteins determines their mechanical and catalytic ...

A new conceptual configuration for air-breathing hypersonic airplanes

2013-12-17
A new conceptual configuration for air-breathing hypersonic airplanes How to design a hypersonic airplane that travel from Beijing to New York in only two hours? Dr. Cui Kai and his group from State Key Laboratory of High Temperature Gas Dynamics, Institute of Mechanics, ...

Childhood bullying shown to increase likelihood of psychotic experiences in later life

2013-12-17
Childhood bullying shown to increase likelihood of psychotic experiences in later life New research has shown that being exposed to bullying during childhood will lead to an increased risk of psychotic experiences in adulthood, regardless of whether they are victims ...

Research progress on photochemical transformation of organic sunscreens in natural waters

2013-12-17
Research progress on photochemical transformation of organic sunscreens in natural waters Organic sunscreens released from sea-bathing or wastewater discharges are emerging pollutants frequently detected in natural waters, and draw extensive concerns due to potential ...

Research backs risk-reduction surgery for ovarian cancer

2013-12-17
Research backs risk-reduction surgery for ovarian cancer A study by Manchester scientists backs preventative surgery to improve survival for women who are at greater risk of getting ovarian cancer and suggests it appears helpful for women at risk of ...

Neurons subtract images and use the differences

2013-12-17
Neurons subtract images and use the differences Primary cortex generates efficiently compressed sensory information Ten million bits – that's the information volume transmitted every second with every quick eye movement from the eye to the cerebrum. Researchers ...

Sharpening the focus in quantum photolithography

2013-12-17
Sharpening the focus in quantum photolithography A new protocol makes it possible to improve the accuracy of photolithography by addressing its physical limitations Photolithography uses light beams to design thin geometric patterns on the substrates of semiconductors ...

Use biologic agents to induce remission in patients with moderately severe Crohn's disease

2013-12-17
Use biologic agents to induce remission in patients with moderately severe Crohn's disease New American Gastroenterological Association guidelines provide guidance on most effective treatment pathway Bethesda, MD (Dec. 16, 2013) —The anti-TNF-α ...

Smoking changes our genes

2013-12-17
Smoking changes our genes The fact that smoking means a considerable health risk is nowadays commonly accepted. New research findings from Uppsala University and Uppsala Clinical Research Center show that smoking alters several genes that can be associated ...

AAOS approves AUC for non-arthroplasty treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

2013-12-17
AAOS approves AUC for non-arthroplasty treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee New AUC offers clinical expertise across medical specialties to help optimize patient care ROSEMONT, Ill. – The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Board of Directors ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

KTU experts reveal why cultural heritage is important for community unity

More misfolded proteins than previously known may contribute to Alzheimer’s and dementia

“Too much going on”: Autistic adults overwhelmed by non-verbal social cues

What’s driving America’s deep freezes in a warming world?

A key role of brain protein in learning and memory is deciphered by scientists

Heart attacks don’t follow a Hollywood script

Erin M. Schuman wins 2026 Nakasone Award for discovery on neural synapse function and change during formation of memories

Global ocean analysis could replace costly in-situ sound speed profiles in seafloor positioning, study finds

Power in numbers: Small group professional coaching reduces rates of physician burnout by nearly 30%

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage: A comprehensive review of CCUS-EOR

New high-temperature stable dispersed particle gel for enhanced profile control in CCUS applications

State gun laws and firearm-related homicides and suicides

Use of tobacco and cannabis following state-level cannabis legalization

Long-term obesity and biological aging in young adults

Eindhoven University of Technology and JMIR Publications announce unlimited open access publishing agreement

Orphan nuclear receptors in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease development

A technological breakthrough for ultra-fast and greener AI

Pusan National University researchers identify key barriers hindering data-driven smart manufacturing adoption

Inking heterometallic nanosheets: A scalable breakthrough for coating, electronics, and electrocatalyst applications

Adults with autism show similar brain mapping of body parts as typically developing adults

Uncovering behavioral clues to childhood maltreatment

Premenstrual symptoms linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Newly discovered remains of ancient river landscapes control ice flow in East Antarctica

Newly discovered interstellar object 'may be oldest comet ever seen'

Animal-inspired AI robot learns to navigate unfamiliar terrain

Underserved youth less likely to visit emergency department for concussion in Ontario, study finds

‘Molecular shield’ placed in the nose may soon treat common hay fever trigger

Beetles under climate stress lay larger male eggs: Wolbachia infection drives adaptive reproduction strategy in response to rising temperature and CO₂

Groundbreaking quantum study puts wave-particle duality to work

Weekly injection could be life changing for Parkinson’s patients

[Press-News.org] Radioactivity muddles the alphabet of DNA