The DNAAbbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. Composed of very long strings of nucleotides, which are abbreviated as A, C, G and T. DNA is the storage form of our genetic material. All of the instructions for the production of proteins are encoded in our DNA. in our cells is highly organized. Part of that organization includes winding the DNA around balls (nucleosomesA functional unit of organization of our chromosomes. Nucleosomes are composed of a mixture of histone proteins around which the double-stranded DNA is wrapped.) made up of several different proteins called histonesA group of proteins that combine with DNA to make a 'bead' around which DNA is wrapped. The bead consisting of DNA and histones is called a nucleosome.. Researchers have discovered that changes in the types of histones present in skin cells can drive the development of melanoma. Changes in the shape of the proteinOne of the four basic types of biomolecule. Proteins are polymers made up of strings of amino acids. Proteins serve many functions in organisms including transport of molecules, structure, cell adhesion and as signaling molecules such as hormones. Many transcription factors, including p53 and Rb are proteins. balls (called nucleosomes) can change how the genes in that part of the DNA strand are used.
In melanoma, decreases in the amounts of a histone called macroH2a lead to increased activity of a geneA stretch of DNA that leads to the production of an RNA. The RNA is produced during the process of transcription. This RNA can be used to guide the formation of a protein via translation or can be used directly in the cell. (CDK8) that is already known to be involved in colorectal cancer. The results suggest that CDK8 and/or macroH2a could be viable targets in melanoma.
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