Current event 7

       Defect in transport system causes DNA chaos in red blood

cells

Date Published: March 12, 2012
Author:Unknown
Source:Biology News Net
URL:http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/03/12/defect_in_transport_system_causes_dna_chaos_in_red_blood_cells.html

   
        Each cell of our body has averagely two meters of DNA wraped in diameter of
less then ten micro meters in its nucleus. It is nucleic acid, the most important
micro molecule for our life. It could be described as two spiral strands of polymers
which are bridged with almost parallel bonds so DNA looks like spiral ladder.
Organized in chromosomes, DNA makes our genes.
Structure of DNA is provided by alkaline proteins called histones. DNA strands
are wrapped around histones in highly ordered way. When our cells are dividing,
each DNA chain is copied and entry of new histones in nucleus is necessary.
This process is directed by protein Codanin-1 which detects signals from DNA
and regulate histone amount and transportation. The Mutation of the Codanin -1 gene is
responsible for the defect of histone transportation system. Red blood cells are the most
sensitive to the Codanin 1 gene mutation. This is the main reason of rare anemic
disease CDAI where development of new red blood cells is disturbed. There
is still not clear scientific explanation why the other cells in our body are not
sensitive to Codanin-1 gene mutation.

          The quality of our lives and how long we live depends on DNA. Understanding the mechanisms which control DNA structure and activity of our genes is crucial for solving the problems of many hereditary diseases.