Molecular mechanism of morphogenesis: a theory of locational DNA

• Published in: Biokhimiia (Moscow, Russia) Vol. 61; no. 11; p. 1948
• Main Author: Olovnikov, A M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Russia (Federation) 01-11-1996
• Subjects: Animals; DNA - genetics; Morphogenesis - genetics; Regeneration - genetics; Species Specificity
• ISSN: 0320-9725

A molecular mechanism of reading of positional information by cells in morphogenesis and regeneration is proposed. It permits to translate the genome information into three-dimensional form of an organism. In the mechanism, a new fraction of DNA, so called "location DNA" is used which is suggested as a substitution instead of a former "egoistic" DNA. Domains, that are formed by this DNA and packed by lipid-containing bridges, are selectively unpacking in the gradient of inductor, the concentration of which positively correlates with the production of free radicals in the cells. Free radicals induce a selective destruction of lipid bridges which are variable in their resistance to the oxidative destruction. Hence the domains of location DNA are selectively decomactizing and activiting after bridge's elimination. In this way, a reading of positional information is performed. An epigenetic memory concerning the cellular determination state, that was already achieved, is based on the so called process of triplexation, the essence of which is a triplex formation, between signal RNA molecule and nascent double stranded DNA. A triplex is formed during the lagging strand synthesis or in the course of DNA repair synthesis. A telomeric element of postmitotic neurons, so called chronomere, assists to the organism in measuring of the flow of biological time, while chronomere length is an indicator of biological age of the organism.