Chromosome & HIV: A Nobel Insight

March 10, 2010

edmundfernandes

We are at a point in history where the world is reaching molecular & micro-molecular levels. 2009 may have seen many ups & downs in various aspects of human life. But for science, a major catastrophe has been solved. The answer has arrived, as to how the chromosome could copied during cell division in a complete manner and how they are protected against degradation.

Elizabeth Blackburn and Jack Szostak discovered that a unique DNA sequence in the telomeres protects the chromosome from degradation. Carol Greider and Blackburn identified telomerase-the enzyme that makes telomere DNA.

Indeed for this mammoth feat all the three jointly were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Physiology and Medicine for the year 2009-This discovery has paved way for development of newer therapeutic strategies.

Elizabeth Blackburn was studying the chromosomes of tetrahymena, a unicellular ciliate organism when she noticed a DNA sequence that was repeated several times at the end of the chromosomes the function of this sequence, CCCCAA was unclear, as coincidence would match, at the same time Jack Szostak had made the observation that a linear DNA molecule, a type of minichromosome, is rapidly degraded when introduced into yeast cells. On the other front Carol Greider, then a graduate student and her supervisor Elizabeth blackburn started to question if the formation of telomere DNA could be due to an unknown enzyme. A Christmas Day gift as one would say, Greider on 25th Dec 1984 discovered signs of enzymatic activity in a cell extract. Going ahead they named the enzyme telomerase,purified it and showed that it consists of RNA as well as proteins. The RNA component turned out to contain the CCCCAA sequence. It serves as a template when the telomere is built, while the protein component is required for construction work i.e the enzymatic activity.

After endless research and numerous pathways it is now known that the DNA sequence in the telomere attracts proteins that form a protective cap around the fragile ends of the DNA stands.

This puzzle has given way to newer horizons towards human ageing, cancer and stem cells, where the human mind is still in confusion and dilemma. In the end, all we can say is, the discovery by Blackburn, Greider and Szostak have added a new dimension to cellular understanding, has broadened the paradox of disease understanding and stimulated the development of potential new therapies.

Truly this work of masterpiece thinking with marathon effort is worth a NOBEL !

Let us now take an insight into the minds behind the discovery of Human papilloma virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Harold Zur hausen went against current Human dogma and postulated that oncogenic (HPV) – Human Papilloma Virus caused cervical cancer, the second most common cause among women.

On a ground breaking find, he realized that HPV – DNA could exist in a non- productive state in tumors. His discovery has led to characterized of natural background of HPV infections, an understanding of mechanism of HPU induced carcinogenesis and the development of prophylactic vaccines against HPV acquisition.

Francoise Barre – sinaissi and Luc montagnier discovered HIV. Virus production was identified in lymphocyte in patients with enlarged lymph Node and in blood from patients at later stages of the disiease. They characterized this retorium as first known Human lentivirus based on its morphological, biochemical and immunological properties.

The global public health attributable to human papilloma viruses is huge.

Harold Hausen demonstrated novel properties of HPV that have led to an understanding of mechanisms for papilloma virus – induces carcinogenesis.

HIV has generated a novel pandemic, never before has science and medicine been so quick to discover, identify the origin and provide treatment for a new disease entity. Successful antiretroviral therapy results in life expectancies for persons with HIV infection how reaching levels similar to those of uninfected people.

For this marathon effort clubbed with deep years of hard won advantages, these three received the Nobel in 2008 for medicine & physiology. Indeed & definitely, the human mind has scaled further frontiers as they rise & fall in their effort to heal & comfort.

The author is a student of II MBBS at Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore. Besides writing, he also gives casual radio talks for 107.8FM(Sarang) & Topic Oriented talks for 100.3FM( All India Radio). He is a member of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement as well.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.