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Demystifying APE1: New findings on direct activation of ATM signaling by DNA single-strand breaks

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the function of APE1 in DNA damage response, showing that it promotes SSB-induced ATM DDR through two mechanisms. The study provides direct evidence for APE1's active role in activating ATM kinase to promote the repair of single-strand DNA damage.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2024

Pacific Northwest Research Institute uncovers hidden DNA mechanisms of rare genetic diseases

Researchers at PNRI reveal how specific DNA rearrangements called inverted triplications contribute to the development of various genetic diseases. These complex rearrangements are caused by segments of DNA switching templates during the repair process, leading to disruptions in normal gene function and contributing to genetic disorders.

SourcePacific Northwest Research Institute·JournalCell Genomics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2024

Protein complex discovered to control DNA repair

A team of scientists has identified a previously unrecognized control point in DNA repair processes, which could lead to novel cancer therapies by inhibiting the repair of damaged cancer cells. The newly discovered GSE1-CoREST complex contains three enzymes that control DNA repair and may form the basis for improved cancer treatments.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJan 11, 2024

Mayo Clinic researchers publish key findings about cell proteins to determine effectiveness of immunotherapy for colon cancer

Mayo Clinic researchers found that cells expressing PD-1 and PD-L1 within a certain distance of each other can predict the success of immunotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. This spatial analysis may help select patients most likely to benefit from treatment, improving outcomes and minimizing unnecessary treatments.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateAug 31, 2023

Researchers urge caution in gene editing early human embryos following findings that it could have unexpected and dangerous consequences Further research to refine gene editing technology is needed

Researchers have discovered that gene editing technologies may introduce unintended mutations and damage to DNA in early human embryos. The study found that most cells repair breaks in the DNA using non-homologous end joining, which can lead to additional genetic abnormalities.

Pusan National University develops novel biosensor to detect DNA damage in real time

Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a novel FRET-based biosensor to detect double-strand breaks in DNA, providing real-time information on γH2AX. The sensor's sensitivity is higher than conventional immunostaining techniques, making it useful for identifying DNA damage factors and elucidating repair mechanisms.

SourcePusan National University·JournalBiomaterials Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2023

Fishing for proteins: Scientists use new optical tweezer technology to study DNA repair

Researchers used C-trap technology to investigate how different DNA repair proteins identify and bind to their respective forms of damage. They found that some proteins arrived at the damage site together and departed together, while others showed surprising variability in their association and dissociation patterns. The study provides...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2023

Ben-Gurion University researcher and international colleagues hot on the trail of a key component of aging

Researchers found that SIRT6 maintains mitochondrial function through transcription regulation of mitochondrial genes. Without SIRT6, mitochondrial gene expression is down-regulated, leading to increased ROS production and impaired ATP generation, similar to changes observed in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalCell Death and Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

Mice show METTL in DNA blood repair

Researchers at Kyoto University discovered METTL16's role in DNA repair and erythropoiesis, a process generating 200 billion new red blood cells daily. Tiny methyl groups on specific mRNAs play a pivotal role in this process, involving mechanisms mediated by RNA-binding proteins.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2022

Faulty DNA repair may lead to BRCA-linked cancers

A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators discovered that error-prone DNA replication and repair may lead to mutations and cancer in individuals with BRCA1 gene mutations. The team identified a faulty DNA repair mechanism called microhomology-mediated break-induced replication (MMBIR) as a key contributor to genomic instabili...

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 15, 2022

Research identifies, exploits vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers

A recent study published in Cancer Research identified a unique vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers that can be exploited for targeted therapy. Researchers found that cancer cells with alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) have a common weakness, leading to resistance to DNA-damaging agents and chemotherapy.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalCancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2022

Polymersomes efficiently deliver siRNA to treat breast cancers in preclinical model

Researchers have developed biodegradable nanovesicles that efficiently encapsulate and deliver PARP1 siRNA to breast cancer tumors in mice, inhibiting oncogene expression and extending survival. The polymersomes, assembled from three biodegradable block copolymers, have strong potential for precision-targeted therapeutic carriers.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalACS Applied Bio Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2022

Vaccinia virus MacGyvers a makeshift tool to repair its DNA, exposing a vulnerability that could be targeted

Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that blocking the enzyme polymerase reduces the virus's ability to multiply. This discovery exposes an Achilles' heel that could be targeted with a therapeutic. Polymerase is a key tool for DNA replication and repair, making the virus vulnerable to disruption.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Virology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2022

Human cells’ emergency response could lead to better cancer treatment, research finds

Researchers found that a critical enzyme called AAG plays a crucial role in making cells respond to stress by communicating between different parts of the cell. This new understanding could lead to improved cancer treatments using alkylating agents, a class of drugs commonly used in chemotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2022

FSU College of Medicine research advances understanding of DNA repair

Researchers have discovered a mechanism to increase the effectiveness of base excision repair (BER), a pathway involved in repairing damaged DNA. By capturing polymerase beta at a precise point in the cell life cycle, the enzyme creates new genetic material 17 times faster, suggesting an interlocked function between its two roles.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2022