MIT team discovers new DNA modification in bacteria acting as DNA Bookmark
Posted Sep 29 2008 10:45pm
Researchers from MIT have discovered that bacterial genes, known as the dnd gene cluster, gives bacteria the ability to employ DNA modification by adding sulfur to the sugar-phosphate DNA backbone as a phosphorothioate,
The same method used in laboratories worldwide to modify synthetic oligonucleotide.Why would bacteria conserve this system which requires five enzymes, each with different co-factors?”
Peter Dedon says the modification system might serve as either protection against foreign (unmodified) DNA, or as a “bookmark” to assist with transcription or replication of DNA.
Researchers from MIT have discovered that bacterial genes, known as the dnd gene cluster, gives bacteria the ability to employ DNA modification by adding sulfur to the sugar-phosphate DNA backbone as a phosphorothioate,
The same method used in laboratories worldwide to modify synthetic oligonucleotide.Why would bacteria conserve this system which requires five enzymes, each with different co-factors?”
Peter Dedon says the modification system might serve as either protection against foreign (unmodified) DNA, or as a “bookmark” to assist with transcription or replication of DNA.
Filed under: DNA, DNA news, bioinformatics blog