Exobiology
Abstract
Currently, Mutagen Ooze is considered the most potent substance known, able to cause directed mutations into both humans and other Earth species. Its origin was long known, unlike its mechanism of action, which remained elusive for years. We hereby provide an extensive overview of its nature, based on new samples collected and multiple analyses.
Mutagen Ooze – what it does do?
The confirmed effect of this substance is a highly mutagenic transformation of lifeforms into other lifeforms, blending the characteristics of at least two species – the original, or host species and a second one, also known as guest species. In most, if not all, of the reported cases either the original or the second species is Homo sapiens, resulting in anthropomorphic and sentient mutants. As we know, a human being could obtain animal features as in the case of Splinter, or an animal could obtain human features, as in the case of the mutant ninja turtles. However, we strongly believe that this effect is not restricted to humans and other types of hybrid mutants could also occur. It is also sure that DNA from the second species is needed, even in trace quantities. A simple touch, resulting in the transfer of the so-called touch DNA is sufficient for the mutagenic transformation, driven by the Ooze to occur.
A second major specific feature of the process of mutagenesis, induced by the Ooze is the fact that it affects somatic cells in mature individuals. This fact was a huge question mark in the early efforts to clarify the mechanism of action of the Ooze. DNA samples, taken from both human-to-animal and animal-to-human mutants confirmed that both types have a perfectly-combined genome of both species they originated from. It was unexplainable for years, however, that the exact same genome was found in all cells of the analyzed individuals. Apparently, the Ooze was able to change in the exact same way the genome of approximately 1013 cells in an adult human. And it is not only genome reconstruction but also a new developmental program, resulting in tissue and organ reshaping. Such extensive changes in gene expression and cell division could not be accomplished without the acquisition of characteristics of stem cells by many differentiated somatic cells in the body. How this happens is still a matter of discussion. Here, we summarize the two major theories, having in mind that most probably either of them is actually happening depending on the host individual.
The cancer-like theory
The first step of mutagenic transformation is the mixing of the genetic information of two species. Unlike what one could imagine, this is much more complicated than expected. The addition of one or two rat genes into the human genome will not produce anything viable or effective. Similarly, the simple production of polyploidy – by adding whole rat chromosome into the human cells will have a similar effect. The creation of the successful human-rat mutant requires a highly coordinated process of gene insertion of some, but not all of the approximately 300 differing genes, as well as inhibition of some of the human and re-activation of some evolutionary inactivated, but still residing in the human genome genes. The approximate change was estimated to range from less than one to probably 6-7 % of the entire genetic information and would require a variety of enzymes such as DNA endonucleases and methyltransferases, and integrases among others. As result, a small population of cells called “mutagenic core” is formed.
Further, the mutagenic core starts to divide and form small populations of mobile cells, spreading through the bloodstream into the entire body. Much like cancer metastases, they form secondary mutagenic cores and release a new developmental program, resulting in the creation of new organs and new characteristics like, for example, fur and tail. Currently, there are strong pieces of evidence that this happens in human-animal hybrids, in which the human individual is the host species.
Apparently, in this case, the genetic re-shaping does not affect all cells in the host species. Generally, a single, hierarchically higher secondary mutagenic core is established in the hypothalamic area, concerting the anatomical changes in the head (see human-rat, human-hog, and human-rhino mutants) and all downstream effects. Minor secondary mutagenic cores are formed throughout the body and cause additional effects such as body hair and tail growth, muscular hypertrophy, etc. In addition to new cell formation out of the mutagenic cores, they also cause changes in genes expression in target cells by releasing specific hormonal stimuli, acting in either short or long-distance signaling.
Although not as fast as depicted in media, the whole mutagenic transformation is quite aggressive and short-timed. The transformation of Splinter, for example, might have taken no more than a week.
The chromosome Ooze theory
The second theory involves the creation of a new chromosome, logically named the “chromosome Ooze”. According to this theory, the mutagen Ooze is actually a megavirus, about the size of a cell nucleus and with similar construction – packed into a membrane. It contains the Ooze genes into a single chromosome – probably nearly a hundred different genes that are subdivided into several groups: 1) infectious genes, responsible for the Ooze chromosome duplication and infection of new hosts; 2) incorporation genes, responsible for detection and incorporation of guest DNA and 3) master genes, responsible for overtaking of the host cell – reprogramming of its genes expression.
The lifecycle of the Ooze chromosome follows several well-defined steps. First, the replicase enzyme makes a perfect copy of the chromosome, which is packed into a protein-lipid membrane, which is first made up mostly of a protein scaffold and is further expanded by adding lipids through the secretory pathway of the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum of the host cell. Thus, a single cell could act as a factory of Ooze. The “empty” Oozes are produced only by the Kraathatrogon of Dimension X, while a typical host cell will produce “loaded” Oozes, already containing the guest DNA.
Next, an “empty” Ooze will detect any possible DNA fragments through specific surface proteins, transport them through pores, and will integrate them into the Ooze chromosome through an integrase enzyme. A DNA loaded Ooze will seek and infect a potential host cell and will enter the initial latent phase, during which trans-acting transcription factors specifically adapt to recognize “guest” DNA genes in the Ooze chromosome, rearrange their recognition sites by adding copies of the guest DNA, and travel to the host nucleus, where they specifically inhibit the expression of the corresponding host genes. Thus, the host cell will start to express some of the guest DNA genes and not its own.
The subsequent acute phase is characterized by mass production of Ooze chromosomes, which colonize every possible host cell, reprogram them and the infected host gradually starts to develop some of the guest’s features. It is not much different from the cancer-like theory, with the exception that the enzymes needed are enveloped into a viral particle, and the guest genes never really mix with the host genes.
Ecological significance of the Ooze
Whether a virus or a mutagenic agent, it is well known what is the effect of the Ooze. Its ecological role, or simply said, the reason it exists and is produced by the Kraathatrogons remained elusive for decades. It was proposed it is a typical pathogen or parasite, a symbiotic organism with the evolutional role (by collecting random DNA from the environment), or even a means of reproduction for the Kraathatrogons. The real function of the Ooze, however, was proved only recently and represented one of the biggest shocks in the Exobiological society. It is, indeed, similar to a megavirus and it is actually a sensing organ, highly sophisticated machinery for DNA scanning and identification.
In brief, “empty” Oozes are constantly produced by the Kraathatrogon to collect DNA from the environment, then re-absorbed. While not pathogenic for the Kraathatrogon itself, the Oozes, carrying guest DNA copies are transcribing it and the complementary RNAs are transported to a “DNA master library”, a large collection of foreign DNAs, distributed into several classes, namely “food”, “enemy”, “not interesting” and “unknown”. The “master library”, which is inheritable and expanding is situated into a specialized organ near the central ganglions of the Kraathatrogon. In case of a match to “food” or touch DNA from a potential food source, when RNA from the Ooze is complementary to DNA in the master library, this RNA-DNA pair is recognized by a specific protein. The recognition triggers a cascade of signaling events, releasing a protein factor which in turn attaches to nerve transmitter containing vesicles, releases the transmitter into the synapse of the nerve cell, and causes the production of the specific nerve impulse by activating specific receptors. Similarly, the match to “enemy” will release a different type of nerve transmitters and will cause a different type of nerve impulse.
More simply said, the Kraathatrogon is constantly scanning the environment for DNA and can follow DNA traces to potential food, or avoid DNA traces of potential danger. The “unknown” class is usually avoided, while the “non-interesting” is followed only in case there is not something specific of greater interest.
For the moment, the mutagenic effect of the Ooze was proposed to be a combination of adaptation to a new host (e.g. human or another animal), along with the incorporation of human (or animal) viral DNA that lead to the unexpected high infectious potential.
References
[1] Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, first created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird (1984).