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Terahertz molecular resonance of cancer DNA
Hwayeong Cheon1, Hee-Jin Yang2, Sang-Hun Lee1
1Department of Physics, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Carcinogenesis involves the chemical and structural alteration of biomolecules in cells. Aberrant methylation of DNA is a well-known carcinogenic mechanism and a common chemical modification of DNA. Terahertz waves can directly observe changes in DNA because the characteristic energies lie in the same frequency region. In addition, terahertz energy levels are not high enough to damage DNA by ionization. Here, we present terahertz molecular resonance fingerprints of DNA methylation in cancer DNA. Methylated cytidine, a nucleoside, has terahertz characteristic energies that give rise to the molecular resonance of methylation in DNA. Molecular resonance is monitored in aqueous solutions of genomic DNA from cancer cell lines using a terahertz time-domain spectroscopic technique. Resonance signals can be quantified to identify the types of cancer cells with a certain degree of DNA methylation. These measurements reveal the existence of molecular resonance fingerprints of cancer DNAs in the terahertz region, which can be utilized for the early diagnosis of cancer cells at the molecular level.
Insights
Terahertz waves detect DNA methylation, a cancer mechanism. This molecular resonance fingerprinting enables early cancer diagnosis at the molecular level.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Carcinogenesis involves biomolecular alterations, with aberrant DNA methylation being a key mechanism.
- DNA methylation is a common chemical modification linked to cancer development.
- Terahertz (THz) waves offer a non-ionizing method to probe DNA structure and modifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present terahertz molecular resonance fingerprints of DNA methylation in cancer DNA.
- To establish THz spectroscopy as a tool for identifying cancer-specific DNA methylation patterns.
- To explore the potential for early cancer diagnosis using THz molecular signatures.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) to analyze genomic DNA from cancer cell lines in aqueous solutions.
- Monitoring molecular resonance signals associated with methylated cytidine, a key component of DNA methylation.
- Quantifying resonance signals to correlate with the degree of DNA methylation and cancer cell type.
Main Results:
- Terahertz molecular resonance fingerprints of DNA methylation were identified in cancer DNA.
- Methylated cytidine exhibits characteristic terahertz energies indicative of methylation.
- Resonance signal quantification allowed for the identification of cancer cell types based on DNA methylation levels.
Conclusions:
- Terahertz molecular resonance fingerprints provide a novel method for detecting DNA methylation in cancer.
- This technique offers a non-destructive and sensitive approach for molecular-level cancer detection.
- Terahertz spectroscopy holds significant potential for the early diagnosis of cancer cells.
