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

Clinical Epigenetics

Hypothesis

Mirko Rossini¹  Joachim Ankerhold¹  Fedor Jelezko²  Martin B. Plenio³  Dennis Herb⁴  Ole Ammerpohl⁵  Reiner Siebert⁶  Sven Rau⁷ 

[1] Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST) Ulm-Stuttgart, Ulm, Germany;Institute for Complex Quantum Systems, Ulm University, 89069, Ulm, Germany;Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST) Ulm-Stuttgart, Ulm, Germany;Institute for Quantum Optics, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany;Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST) Ulm-Stuttgart, Ulm, Germany;Institute of Theoretical Physics, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany;Institute for Complex Quantum Systems, Ulm University, 89069, Ulm, Germany;Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany;Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany;Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST) Ulm-Stuttgart, Ulm, Germany;Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany;

关键词: Epigenetics;    Quantum physics;    Quantum tunneling;    Quantum coherence;    Charge transfer;    Chirality;    Spin;    Electron hopping;    DNA methylation;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13148-023-01560-3

 received in 2023-06-09, accepted in 2023-08-28,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundEpigenetic 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.ResultsWe 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.ConclusionsQuantum 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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 4