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Ribonucleic acids of human milk
Elena V Kuligina1, Dmitry V Semenov, Olesya N Shevyrina
1Novosibirsk Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Novosibirsk, Russia. kuligina@niboch.nsc.ru
Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids
|November 25, 2004
Summary
Human milk contains various nucleic acids (NA), including RNA oligonucleotides with specific structures. Their concentration changes during lactation, offering insights into infant nutrition and development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Postnatal development relies heavily on milk feeding.
- The composition and role of nucleic acids (NA) in human milk are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the composition and abundance of nucleic acids in human milk.
- To adapt isolation methods for high yield of total NA from milk.
Main Methods:
- Adaptation of conventional isolation methods for total nucleic acid extraction from milk.
- Quantification of total NA concentration.
- Analysis of NA chain length and oligonucleotide composition.
- Sequence analysis of identified oligonucleotides.
Main Results:
- Total NA concentration in early lactation milk ranges from 20 to 68 µg/ml, decreasing towards the end of lactation.
- Major milk NA forms range from mononucleotides to approximately 100 bases.
- Milk oligonucleotide composition is consistent across different donors.
- Human milk contains long-chain oligonucleotides with secondary structures, including RNA fragments homologous to human ribosomal and transfer RNAs.
Conclusions:
- Human milk is a source of diverse nucleic acids, particularly RNA oligonucleotides.
- The concentration of these nucleic acids varies throughout lactation.
- Identified RNA sequences suggest potential roles in infant development or signaling.