Researchers from the LMS and LMB have discovered how the D2-I protein complex recognizes and repairs DNA damage, a process crucial for understanding cancer treatment.
DNA repair is essential for maintaining genome integrity, as DNA damage can lead to mutations, genetic disorders, and even cancer. The FANCD2-FANCI (FANC) complex plays a critical role in this process by recognizing and repairing DNA lesions.
The study found that the D2-I protein complex does not directly recognize crosslinks between DNA strands but instead stalls at single-stranded gaps within replication forks, which are regions where the double helix is unwound during DNA replication. The FANC clamp then anchors to these stalled replication forks, bringing other repair proteins to initiate the repair process.
This discovery provides insights into the mechanisms of DNA repair and its failure in cancer cells, which can resist chemotherapy drugs. Understanding how the FANC complex recognizes and repairs DNA damage may lead to strategies for sensitizing patients to cancer treatments.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/decades-old-mystery-solved-scientists-crack-the-code-of-dna-repair/