Stability Of Non-Canonical Nucleic Acid Structure As A Potential Modulator Of Cell Fate
Our cells contain not only the familiar double helix of DNA but also a variety of less common, “non-canonical” structures. These include forms like G-quadruplexes and i-motifs, which are essentially different ways DNA or RNA can fold. Unlike the stable double helix, these alternative structures are highly sensitive to their surroundings within the cell, such as the presence of charged particles (cations), water content (hydration), and various metabolic byproducts. These environmental factors can significantly affect how stable these unusual structures are. The stability of these non-canonical nucleic acid structures is crucial because it can influence gene expression, which is the process by which information from our genes is used to create functional products like proteins. Changes in gene expression can, in turn, dictate a cell’s “fate”—whether it grows, specializes, ages (a process called senescence), or even becomes cancerous. Understanding how these environmental cues impact the stability of these structures and, consequently, gene expression, offers new avenues for potentially controlling cellular processes related to aging and diseases like cancer. This research highlights the importance of studying these molecular behaviors within the complex environment of a living cell, rather than just in simplified laboratory settings.
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