IIT Hyderabad researchers unravel functioning of DNA repair proteins
Researchers are seeking to understand the workings of the DNA damage repair proteins. Certain types of chemicals produced naturally in the body can cause damages in DNA and if not fixed fast, may trigger cell death.
Researchers have unraveled the working of a protein that repairs damaged DNA.
Nature has evolved techniques to not only protect DNA, but also to repair damaged DNA so that catastrophic damage can be averted. In humans, one such repair mechanism involves activation of a special class of proteins called 'DNA' repair proteins.
With increasing awareness of the impact of DNA damage on almost all diseases and maladies, there is a worldwide effort to understand how these repair proteins work, both as an academic exercise and as the foundation for therapeutic interventions.
The results of the study has been published recently.
What makes matter a living being, be it a bacterium or man is the DNA. DNA is the file blueprint of the life-form and encodes the directions that the life-form must take in order to become bacterium, rose, lion or man. It is this essential for the survival of every cell and is usually kept well protected within the nucleus of cells and in some non0nuclear parts like the mitochondria.
Any damage to DNA can result in outcomes that can range from unperceivable mild changes, such as the sudden appearance of a harmless mole, to catastrophic diseases, such as cancer. The retention of DNA integrity is therefore essential for proper function and survival of all organisms. Protection of DNA is daunting because of the possibility of damage by external sources and the intrinsic instability of DNA itself.
" Our laboratory at IIT Hyderabad seeks to understand the working of the DNA damage repair proteins. Certain types of chemicals produced naturally in the body can cause damages in DNA and if not fixed fast, may trigger cell death", explains Dr. Anindya Roy.
Researchers discovered mechanism by which these DNA repair proteins assemble when DNA is under threat. They studies the action of one specific protein called alkB homolog 3 or ALKBH3. It has been known that ALKBH3 repairs alkylated DNA containing 1-methyladenosine and 3.methylcytosine through oxidative demethylation, but the mechanism has hitherto remained unclear.
The researchers unraveled the mechanism by which ALKBH3 brings about demethylation.
We've found that ALKBH3 has a direct protein-protein interaction with another protein called RAD51C and this interaction stimulates ALKHB3-mediated repair of methyl-adduct located within 3'-tailed DNA adds the Dr. on the technical aspects of their discovery.
The team is fascinated by the universality of the mechanism-- it is just as applicable to the bacterium as it is to the humans. " The knowledge gained from our studies might, in the long term, be beneficial from a cancer therapeutic perspective", hopes Dr. Roy, as the team proceeds with work on understanding how DNA repair works.
Researchers have unraveled the working of a protein that repairs damaged DNA.
Nature has evolved techniques to not only protect DNA, but also to repair damaged DNA so that catastrophic damage can be averted. In humans, one such repair mechanism involves activation of a special class of proteins called 'DNA' repair proteins.
With increasing awareness of the impact of DNA damage on almost all diseases and maladies, there is a worldwide effort to understand how these repair proteins work, both as an academic exercise and as the foundation for therapeutic interventions.
The results of the study has been published recently.
What makes matter a living being, be it a bacterium or man is the DNA. DNA is the file blueprint of the life-form and encodes the directions that the life-form must take in order to become bacterium, rose, lion or man. It is this essential for the survival of every cell and is usually kept well protected within the nucleus of cells and in some non0nuclear parts like the mitochondria.
Any damage to DNA can result in outcomes that can range from unperceivable mild changes, such as the sudden appearance of a harmless mole, to catastrophic diseases, such as cancer. The retention of DNA integrity is therefore essential for proper function and survival of all organisms. Protection of DNA is daunting because of the possibility of damage by external sources and the intrinsic instability of DNA itself.
" Our laboratory at IIT Hyderabad seeks to understand the working of the DNA damage repair proteins. Certain types of chemicals produced naturally in the body can cause damages in DNA and if not fixed fast, may trigger cell death", explains Dr. Anindya Roy.
Researchers discovered mechanism by which these DNA repair proteins assemble when DNA is under threat. They studies the action of one specific protein called alkB homolog 3 or ALKBH3. It has been known that ALKBH3 repairs alkylated DNA containing 1-methyladenosine and 3.methylcytosine through oxidative demethylation, but the mechanism has hitherto remained unclear.
The researchers unraveled the mechanism by which ALKBH3 brings about demethylation.
We've found that ALKBH3 has a direct protein-protein interaction with another protein called RAD51C and this interaction stimulates ALKHB3-mediated repair of methyl-adduct located within 3'-tailed DNA adds the Dr. on the technical aspects of their discovery.
The team is fascinated by the universality of the mechanism-- it is just as applicable to the bacterium as it is to the humans. " The knowledge gained from our studies might, in the long term, be beneficial from a cancer therapeutic perspective", hopes Dr. Roy, as the team proceeds with work on understanding how DNA repair works.