Quantum biologists have found that enzymes may be the key to understanding DNA mutations

According to a new study from the University of Surrey, enzymes that are essential for controlling the way human cells replicate may be precisely what encourages spontaneous mutations in DNA, leading to potentially permanent genetic errors
.

Using state-of-the-art quantum chemistry calculations, researchers from the University of Surrey's Doctoral Training Centre in Quantum Biology have found that parts of the DNA self-replication process are up to 100 times
faster than previously predicted.
This finding provides a new explanation for the hypothetical theory that quantum effects don't last long enough to be affected
by the replication process.

Max Wijnoken, co-author of the study from the University of Surrey, said:

"We have always thought that quantum mechanics affects in biological environments
.
Fascinatingly, however, mutations caused by quantum tunneling are more stable
due to the action of helicase.

"While others portray helicase as the gatekeeper of quantum mutations, our study shows that this enzyme is deeply linked
to the formation of these mutations.
"

This famous double helix structure gives DNA extraordinary stability, as well as pairing rules
between the letters of genes on opposite strands.
Normally, A always binds to T and G always binds to C, due to the different structures of these biomolecules and the number of hydrogen bonds formed between base pairs
.
The protons that form this chemical bond (the nucleus of a hydrogen atom) occasionally transfer between them, forming a rare state
called a tautomer.

When a cell starts replicating itself, it must make a DNA copy
.
In the replication process, the first step is to separate the two DNA strands so that each can be used as a template
for new DNA.
This separation of DNA strands is achieved by an enzyme called helicase, which binds to one of the DNA strands and passes it through itself, forcing the DNA to separate.

Potential mutated DNA bases must survive this process to potentially cause permanent genetic errors
.

However, it was previously thought that helicase worked too
slowly.
Thus, when the strands are separated, any spontaneous point mutations can find a way
back to their natural and more stable position.
The new study sets out to explain that quantum mechanical effects may be the key to unlocking the secrets of genetic mutations, as well as their many effects
on life on Earth.
In addition, the new report found that this mechanical separation actually stabilized the mutated form
of DNA.

Dr Marko Saki, who led the computational work on the study from the University of Surrey, said:

"Little is known about the role of quantum effects in DNA damage and genetic
mutations.
We believe that only by combining quantum physics and computational chemistry can we elucidate the elusive mechanisms
underlying the origin of DNA errors.
”

Professor Jim Al-Khalili, co-director of the PhD Training Centre in Quantum Biology at the University of Surrey, said:

"What I found most exciting was that this work brings together cutting-edge research from disciplines such as physics, chemistry and biology to answer one of
the most interesting questions in science today.
" The University of Surrey is fast becoming a world leader in this field and exciting results are emerging
.
”

Journal Reference:

1. Louie Slocombe, Max Winokan, Jim Al-Khalili, Marco Sacchi.
   Proton transfer during DNA strand separation as a source of mutagenic guanine-cytosine tautomers.
   Communications Chemistry, 2022; 5 (1) DOI: 10.
   1038/s42004-022-00760-x