Molecular structure of nicked DNA: a substrate for DNA repair enzymes.

DNA-repair enzymes.

Recent crystallographic studies of DNA-repair enzymes have provided the structural basis for the recognition of damaged DNA. The results imply that flipping out of the base is a common and crucial event in DNA repair. Two classes of repair enzymes that recognize distinct types of damage may exist. DNA-repair enzymes that share similar folds and DNA binding motifs have been proposed to belong to...

OGG1 DNA Repair Gene Polymorphism As a Biomarker of Oxidative and Genotoxic DNA Damage

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms in 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1) gene modulates DNA repair capacity and functions as one of the first lines of protective mechanisms against 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) mutagenicity. OGG1-Cys326 gene polymorphism may decrease DNA repair function, causing oxidative stress due to higher oxidative DNA damage. The main purpose of this stu...

Regulation of DNA Repair Fidelity by Molecular Checkpoints: “Gates” in DNA Polymerase β's Substrate Selection

Regulation of DNA repair fidelity by molecular checkpoints: "gates" in DNA polymerase beta's substrate selection.

With an increasing number of structural, kinetic, and modeling studies of diverse DNA polymerases in various contexts, a complex dynamical view of how atomic motions might define molecular "gates" or checkpoints that contribute to polymerase specificity and efficiency is emerging. Such atomic-level information can offer insights into rate-limiting conformational and chemical steps to help piece...

Pharmacogenetics of Cancer and DNA Repair Enzymes