Natural, modified DNA bases
Matthew K. Bilyard, Sidney Becker, Shankar Balasubramanian
Abstract
The four canonical bases that make up genomic DNA are subject to a variety of chemical modifications in living systems. Recent years have witnessed the discovery of various new modified bases and of the enzymes responsible for their processing. Here, we review the range of DNA base modifications currently known and recent advances in chemical methodology that have driven progress in this field, in particular regarding their detection and sequencing. Elucidating the cellular functions of modifications remains an ongoing challenge; we discuss recent contributions to this area before exploring their relevance in medicine.
Topics & Concepts
Computational biologyRelevance (law)BiologyVariety (cybernetics)Computer scienceData scienceArtificial intelligencePolitical scienceLawEpigenetics and DNA MethylationDNA and Nucleic Acid ChemistryAdvanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques