Scientists Map Non-Canonical DNA Across 7 Primate Genomes, Covering Structures Estimated in 13% of Humans
Updated
Updated · ScienceAlert · Aug 6
Scientists Map Non-Canonical DNA Across 7 Primate Genomes, Covering Structures Estimated in 13% of Humans
3 articles · Updated · ScienceAlert · Aug 6
Summary
Using complete Telomere-to-Telomere reference genomes, Makova’s team identified where non-canonical DNA motifs occur in humans and six ape species, producing a genome-wide map of structures beyond the double helix.
Long-read sequencing drove the advance by exposing previously inaccessible, repetitive regions; in humans, those newly added sequences contained an overrepresentation of most non-B DNA motif types.
Many human non-B motifs clustered in satellite DNA tied to chromosome organization and stability, while ape genomes showed uneven distributions across species.
Non-canonical forms—including hairpins, G-quadruplexes and Z-DNA—are estimated to occupy 13% of the human genome and may influence replication, transcription, methylation and chromosome protection.
The map could sharpen research into disease mechanisms because non-B structures are also linked to mutagenesis, genome instability, cancers, neurodegenerative disorders and Werner syndrome.