A new form of DNA molecule has been found in living organisms

In 1953, scientists Rosalind Franklin, James Watson and Francis Crick were able to study the structure of the double helix of DNA molecule. This discovery has made a fundamental contribution to the development of molecular biology. Recently, Australian scientists have found out that the double helix is not the one possible form of DNA, Komsomolskaya Pravda reports.

Some previous studies have suggested that DNA can exist in the form of an intricate node. This molecule configuration is called i-motif. However, up to now, it has not been found in living organisms.

Researchers from Harvana Institute have not only found i-motif, but also carried out a number of experiments. Four types of nitrogenous bases, involved in DNA composition, usually form pairs (adenine with thymine and guanine with cytosine). But, as it turned out, in i-motif molecules this ratio is violated. In addition, the scientists have noted that DNA twisted into a node can be as a switch regulating the genes expression.