A quantum physics layer of epigenetics: a hypothesis deduced from charge transfer and chirality-induced spin selectivity of DNA.

IF 5.7 2区 医学 Q1 Medicine
Reiner Siebert, Ole Ammerpohl, Mirko Rossini, Dennis Herb, Sven Rau, Martin B Plenio, Fedor Jelezko, Joachim Ankerhold
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Abstract

Background: Epigenetic mechanisms are informational cellular processes instructing normal and diseased phenotypes. They are associated with DNA but without altering the DNA sequence. Whereas chemical processes like DNA methylation or histone modifications are well-accepted epigenetic mechanisms, we herein propose the existence of an additional quantum physics layer of epigenetics.

Results: We base our hypothesis on theoretical and experimental studies showing quantum phenomena to be active in double-stranded DNA, even under ambient conditions. These phenomena include coherent charge transfer along overlapping pi-orbitals of DNA bases and chirality-induced spin selectivity. Charge transfer via quantum tunneling mediated by overlapping orbitals results in charge delocalization along several neighboring bases, which can even be extended by classical (non-quantum) electron hopping. Such charge transfer is interrupted by flipping base(s) out of the double-strand e.g., by DNA modifying enzymes. Charge delocalization can directly alter DNA recognition by proteins or indirectly by DNA structural changes e.g., kinking. Regarding sequence dependency, charge localization, shown to favor guanines, could influence or even direct epigenetic changes, e.g., modification of cytosines in CpG dinucleotides. Chirality-induced spin selectivity filters electrons for their spin along DNA and, thus, is not only an indicator for quantum coherence but can potentially affect DNA binding properties.

Conclusions: Quantum effects in DNA are prone to triggering and manipulation by external means. By the hypothesis put forward here, we would like to foster research on "Quantum Epigenetics" at the interface of medicine, biology, biochemistry, and physics to investigate the potential epigenetic impact of quantum physical principles on (human) life.

Abstract Image

表观遗传学的量子物理层:从DNA的电荷转移和手性诱导的自旋选择性推断出的假说。
背景:表观遗传学机制是指示正常和患病表型的信息细胞过程。它们与DNA相关,但不会改变DNA序列。尽管DNA甲基化或组蛋白修饰等化学过程是公认的表观遗传学机制,但我们在这里提出了表观遗传学的额外量子物理层的存在。结果:我们的假设建立在理论和实验研究的基础上,这些研究表明,即使在环境条件下,双链DNA中的量子现象也很活跃。这些现象包括沿着DNA碱基的重叠π轨道的相干电荷转移和手性诱导的自旋选择性。通过重叠轨道介导的量子隧穿进行的电荷转移导致电荷沿几个相邻碱基的离域,这甚至可以通过经典(非量子)电子跳跃来扩展。这种电荷转移通过将碱基从双链中翻转出来而中断,例如通过DNA修饰酶。电荷离域可以直接改变蛋白质对DNA的识别,或者通过DNA结构变化(例如扭结)间接改变。关于序列依赖性,显示有利于鸟嘌呤的电荷定位可能影响甚至指导表观遗传学变化,例如CpG二核苷酸中胞嘧啶的修饰。手性诱导的自旋选择性过滤了电子沿DNA的自旋,因此,它不仅是量子相干性的指标,而且可能影响DNA的结合特性。结论:DNA中的量子效应容易被外部手段触发和操纵。根据这里提出的假设,我们希望在医学、生物学、生物化学和物理学的界面上促进对“量子表观遗传学”的研究,以研究量子物理原理对(人类)生命的潜在表观遗传学影响。
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来源期刊
Clinical Epigenetics
Clinical Epigenetics Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology-Developmental Biology
CiteScore
8.90
自引率
5.30%
发文量
150
审稿时长
12 weeks
期刊介绍: Clinical Epigenetics, the official journal of the Clinical Epigenetics Society, is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that encompasses all aspects of epigenetic principles and mechanisms in relation to human disease, diagnosis and therapy. Clinical trials and research in disease model organisms are particularly welcome.
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