One
of the seminal discoveries in biology was the discovery of the structure of
deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, by James Watson, Francis Crick and Rosalind
Franklin that led to the later deciphering of the genetic code by a series of
exceptional researchers. Without Rosalind Franklin’s X ray crystallography work
on the hydrated form of DNA, Watson and Crick would not have been able to
decipher the double helix. It is this underlying structure that allows DNA to
direct the transcription of RNA and later translation of the genetic code into
proteins. In simple terms without understanding the structure, the geneticfunction of DNA was not evident.
While the genetic code directs all protein
synthesis, it is also true that in many instances understanding what genes are
expressed and translated does not inform the actual final functions, the end
result of protein expression and activity.The
mere presence of a protein or enzyme also does not translate directly into an
outcome in activity. Function is a much more complex process. Thus the genetic
code can direct amino acid sequence and structure, but structure and location
can also modify ultimate function. With this editorial we discuss the effects
of one structural component, the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), on the functional
activities of other molecules, cells and organs. GAGs represent one of the
silent engineers of cellular and tissue structures. Read more.................
No comments:
Post a Comment