Zosimo T. Literatus, R.M.T.
Breakthroughs

LIFE is so fluid. Something that supports a well-functioning life can simply turn into something destructive with a chemical swoosh of fate.

The case in point is genetic mutation; and the process involved is called DNA methylation (DNA-M).

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DNA (or deoxyribonucleic acid) is a basic building block of the genes. And methylation is a biochemical process involved in modifying these genes. DNA-M happens in a large area in genes, except in areas called the “CpG islands” where it does not happen. These islands promote 56 percent of human genes.

The process is important in the normal human development, especially in key genetic processes genomic imprinting (expression of genes specific to its original parent); X-chromosome inactivation (silencing of extra X-chromosomes in males that allows expression of Y-chromosome); and suppression of repetitive elements (e.g. extra X chromosomes).

It is important in duplicating genes, and sets early in life (fertilization inside the womb).

But at times it happens outside the earlier mechanism, creating a spawn of cancer cells. It results in low birth weight and increases the risk for schizophrenia. This rebellious DNA-M, geneticists believe, enters humans through viral infection.

Methylation is a common capability among viruses. And it can be inherited.

A team of eight researchers, with Marco Boks of the Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience at the University Medical Center Utrecht (The Netherlands) leading, conducted the latest study in this area. It reported in PLoS (August 2009) that 21.5 percent of the time the risk increases with age and 20 percent are gender-related. Males show higher risk (0.79 percent) compared to females (0.75 percent).

But Ugo Betti (Struggle Till Dawn, 1949) advises: “We cannot bear to regard ourselves simply as playthings of blind chance; we cannot admit to feeling ourselves abandoned.”

Life is so beautiful to stay in the shadows of mortality. (E-mail: zim_breakthroughs@yahoo.com; blog: http://breakthroughs.today.blogspot.com)