Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that redefines the role of transcription factors in gene regulation. A hidden code within DNA, referred to as “spatial grammar,” has been uncovered by scientists at Washington State University and the University of California, San Diego. This finding published in Nature challenges our understanding of genetic variations and disease.
The research reveals that most transcription factors can act as both activators and repressors of gene activity, contrary to what was previously thought. The function of these proteins is highly position-dependent, meaning the spacing between them and their location relative to where a gene’s transcription begins determines the level of gene activity.
For example, some transcription factors may activate gene expression when positioned upstream or ahead of where a gene’s transcription begins, but inhibit its activity when located downstream. This “spatial grammar” plays a crucial role in encoding gene expression patterns in our genome.
The discovery has significant implications for genetic research, as it can provide a deeper understanding of how mutations or genetic variations can affect gene expression and contribute to disease. As Christopher Benner, associate professor at UC San Diego, notes, “At the very least, it will change the way scientists study gene expression.”
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-spatial-grammar-in-dna-breakthrough-could-rewrite-genetics-textbooks/