Science Frontiers ONLINE No. 139: Jan-Feb 2002 Issue Contents

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The Second Genetic Code And Apparently A Third

Genes may or may not be switched on depending upon the addition of molecules called "methyl groups" to DNA. Now, a second kind of gene switch has been discovered on histones, a class of proteins.

Figuring out when methylation of histones takes place has far-reaching implications; acting as a second genetic code, histone methylation may determine genetic traits such as the susceptibility to disease.

(Martindale, Diane; "Genes Are Not Enough," Scientific American, 285:22, October 2001.)

Comment. So, beyond the first genetic code (the DNA) and the second genetic code (the recognized methyl groups), we now have some proteins (the histones) getting in on the act. And the show ain't over yet!

From Science Frontiers #139, Jan-Feb 2002. � 2001 William R. Corliss

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