Genome complexity: DNA epigenetic controls (Introduction)

by David Turell , Monday, October 30, 2017, 17:44 (2582 days ago) @ David Turell

Switching DNA genes on and off is conducted by epigenetic mechanisms:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171030095704.htm

"DNA contains the blueprint of an entire organism. Based on the information in this blueprint, every cell knows what it must become and what function it must perform. Throughout the entire lifespan of an organism, the genetic information has to be read correctly to ensure that genes are active at the right time and in the right cells. If these processes are defective, cells acquire the wrong identity -- which can ultimately lead to cancer.

"However, the program that determines which genes are switched on or off as a cell develops does not depend solely on DNA, but is also determined by epigenetic marks. Methylation marks on DNA act as a molecular switch that regulate gene activity in order to coordinate the cell's specialization within the organism.

***

"Tuncay Baubec, professor at the Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease at the University of Zurich, and his team have shown that one particular protein plays an important part in this process: The DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) enzyme is responsible for positioning the methylation to the right place on the DNA. "DNMT3A places itself preferably in close vicinity to genes that play an important role for development and makes sure that the DNA methylation around these genes is maintained," explains Massimiliano Manzo, lead author of the study. "The DNA methylation around these genes works like a container that ensures that H3K27me3, another epigenetic modification, which normally regulates these genes, is positioned correctly." This means that these essential genes are regulated by two epigenetic layers."

Comment: Once again we see the discovery of giant enzyme molecules in charge of DNA expression. Current Darwin theories do not describe how such large specialized molecules are found in the process of evolution. A designer is required.