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Trends in Genetics : TIG Dec 2023Genome integrity and maintenance are essential for the viability of all organisms. A wide variety of DNA damage types have been described, but double-strand breaks... (Review)
Review
Genome integrity and maintenance are essential for the viability of all organisms. A wide variety of DNA damage types have been described, but double-strand breaks (DSBs) stand out as one of the most toxic DNA lesions. Two major pathways account for the repair of DSBs: homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Both pathways involve complex DNA transactions catalyzed by proteins that sequentially or cooperatively work to repair the damage. Single-molecule methods allow visualization of these complex transactions and characterization of the protein:DNA intermediates of DNA repair, ultimately allowing a comprehensive breakdown of the mechanisms underlying each pathway. We review current understanding of the HR and NHEJ responses to DSBs in eukaryotic cells, with a particular emphasis on recent advances through the use of single-molecule techniques.
Topics: DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded; DNA Repair; DNA; DNA Damage; DNA End-Joining Repair
PubMed: 37806853
DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.09.004 -
Trends in Biochemical Sciences Jan 2024DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) are among the most common lesions arising in human cells, with tens to hundreds of thousands arising in each cell, each day. Cells have... (Review)
Review
DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) are among the most common lesions arising in human cells, with tens to hundreds of thousands arising in each cell, each day. Cells have efficient mechanisms for the sensing and repair of these ubiquitous DNA lesions, but the failure of these processes to rapidly remove SSBs can lead to a variety of pathogenic outcomes. The threat posed by unrepaired SSBs is illustrated by the existence of at least six genetic diseases in which SSB repair (SSBR) is defective, all of which are characterised by neurodevelopmental and/or neurodegenerative pathology. Here, I review current understanding of how SSBs arise and impact on critical molecular processes, such as DNA replication and gene transcription, and their links to human disease.
Topics: Humans; DNA Repair; DNA Breaks, Single-Stranded; DNA Damage; DNA Replication; DNA
PubMed: 38040599
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.11.001 -
Andrologia Feb 2021Spermatogenesis is the essential process to maintain and promote male fertility. It is extraordinarily complex with many regulatory elements and numerous steps. The... (Review)
Review
Spermatogenesis is the essential process to maintain and promote male fertility. It is extraordinarily complex with many regulatory elements and numerous steps. The process involves several cell types, regulatory molecules, repair mechanisms and epigenetic regulators. Evidence has shown that fertility can be negatively impacted by reduced sperm DNA integrity. Sources of sperm DNA damage include replication errors and causes of DNA fragmentation which include abortive apoptosis, defective maturation and oxidative stress. This review outlines the process of spermatogenesis, spermatogonial regulation and sperm differentiation; additionally, DNA damage and currently studied DNA repair mechanisms in spermatozoon are also covered.
Topics: DNA; DNA Damage; DNA Fragmentation; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 32324913
DOI: 10.1111/and.13615 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023Chemically modified nucleic acid bases are sources of genomic instability and mutations but may also regulate gene expression as epigenetic or epitranscriptomic... (Review)
Review
Chemically modified nucleic acid bases are sources of genomic instability and mutations but may also regulate gene expression as epigenetic or epitranscriptomic modifications. Depending on the cellular context, they can have vastly diverse impacts on cells, from mutagenesis or cytotoxicity to changing cell fate by regulating chromatin organisation and gene expression. Identical chemical modifications exerting different functions pose a challenge for the cell's DNA repair machinery, as it needs to accurately distinguish between epigenetic marks and DNA damage to ensure proper repair and maintenance of (epi)genomic integrity. The specificity and selectivity of the recognition of these modified bases relies on DNA glycosylases, which acts as DNA damage, or more correctly, as modified bases sensors for the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Here, we will illustrate this duality by summarizing the role of uracil-DNA glycosylases, with particular attention to SMUG1, in the regulation of the epigenetic landscape as active regulators of gene expression and chromatin remodelling. We will also describe how epigenetic marks, with a special focus on 5-hydroxymethyluracil, can affect the damage susceptibility of nucleic acids and conversely how DNA damage can induce changes in the epigenetic landscape by altering the pattern of DNA methylation and chromatin structure.
Topics: DNA Repair; DNA Damage; Mutation; DNA Methylation
PubMed: 37373453
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210307 -
Bulletin Du Cancer Mar 2021
Topics: DNA; DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded; DNA Damage; DNA End-Joining Repair; DNA Mismatch Repair; DNA Repair; Humans; Recombinational DNA Repair
PubMed: 33423778
DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2020.10.016 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2020Epigenetic research has rapidly evolved into a dynamic field of genome biology. Chromatin regulation has been proved to be an essential aspect for all genomic processes,... (Review)
Review
Epigenetic research has rapidly evolved into a dynamic field of genome biology. Chromatin regulation has been proved to be an essential aspect for all genomic processes, including DNA repair. Chromatin structure is modified by enzymes and factors that deposit, erase, and interact with epigenetic marks such as DNA and histone modifications, as well as by complexes that remodel nucleosomes. In this review we discuss recent advances on how the chromatin state is modulated during this multi-step process of damage recognition, signaling, and repair. Moreover, we examine how chromatin is regulated when different pathways of DNA repair are utilized. Furthermore, we review additional modes of regulation of DNA repair, such as through the role of global and localized chromatin states in maintaining expression of DNA repair genes, as well as through the activity of epigenetic enzymes on non-nucleosome substrates. Finally, we discuss current and future applications of the mechanistic interplays between chromatin regulation and DNA repair in the context cancer treatment.
Topics: Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; DNA Damage; DNA Repair; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans
PubMed: 32471288
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112496 -
Translational Neurodegeneration Apr 2023Redox homeostasis refers to the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and their elimination by... (Review)
Review
Redox homeostasis refers to the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and their elimination by antioxidants. It is linked to all important cellular activities and oxidative stress is a result of imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidant species. Oxidative stress perturbs many cellular activities, including processes that maintain the integrity of DNA. Nucleic acids are highly reactive and therefore particularly susceptible to damage. The DNA damage response detects and repairs these DNA lesions. Efficient DNA repair processes are therefore essential for maintaining cellular viability, but they decline considerably during aging. DNA damage and deficiencies in DNA repair are increasingly described in age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease. Furthermore, oxidative stress has long been associated with these conditions. Moreover, both redox dysregulation and DNA damage increase significantly during aging, which is the biggest risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. However, the links between redox dysfunction and DNA damage, and their joint contributions to pathophysiology in these conditions, are only just emerging. This review will discuss these associations and address the increasing evidence for redox dysregulation as an important and major source of DNA damage in neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding these connections may facilitate a better understanding of disease mechanisms, and ultimately lead to the design of better therapeutic strategies based on preventing both redox dysregulation and DNA damage.
Topics: Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Oxidative Stress; Oxidation-Reduction; Reactive Oxygen Species; Antioxidants; DNA Damage
PubMed: 37055865
DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00350-4 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2021Hematologic malignancies (HM) comprise diverse cancers of lymphoid and myeloid origin, including lymphomas (approx. 40%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL, approx.... (Review)
Review
Hematologic malignancies (HM) comprise diverse cancers of lymphoid and myeloid origin, including lymphomas (approx. 40%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL, approx. 15%), multiple myeloma (MM, approx. 15%), acute myeloid leukemia (AML, approx. 10%), and many other diseases. Despite considerable improvement in treatment options and survival parameters in the new millennium, many patients with HM still develop chemotherapy‑refractory diseases and require re-treatment. Because frontline therapies for the majority of HM (except for CLL) are still largely based on classical cytostatics, the relapses are often associated with defects in DNA damage response (DDR) pathways and anti-apoptotic blocks exemplified, respectively, by mutations or deletion of the tumor suppressor, and overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) family. BCL2 homology 3 (BH3) mimetics represent a novel class of pro-apoptotic anti-cancer agents with a unique mode of action-direct targeting of mitochondria independently of gene aberrations. Consequently, BH3 mimetics can effectively eliminate even non-dividing malignant cells with adverse molecular cytogenetic alterations. Venetoclax, the nanomolar inhibitor of BCL2 anti-apoptotic protein has been approved for the therapy of CLL and AML. Numerous venetoclax-based combinatorial treatment regimens, next-generation BCL2 inhibitors, and myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1) protein inhibitors, which are another class of BH3 mimetics with promising preclinical results, are currently being tested in several clinical trials in patients with diverse HM. These pivotal trials will soon answer critical questions and concerns about these innovative agents regarding not only their anti-tumor efficacy but also potential side effects, recommended dosages, and the optimal length of therapy as well as identification of reliable biomarkers of sensitivity or resistance. Effective harnessing of the full therapeutic potential of BH3 mimetics is a critical mission as it may directly translate into better management of the aggressive forms of HM and could lead to significantly improved survival parameters and quality of life in patients with urgent medical needs.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Biomarkers; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; DNA Damage; Hematologic Neoplasms; Humans; Sulfonamides; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
PubMed: 34576319
DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810157 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023
Topics: DNA Damage; DNA Repair; Endocrine System
PubMed: 36777343
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1138326 -
Cancer Genetics Apr 2021Cancer genome instability arises from diverse defects in DNA-repair machinery, which make cancer cells more susceptible to DNA targeting agents. The interrelation... (Review)
Review
Cancer genome instability arises from diverse defects in DNA-repair machinery, which make cancer cells more susceptible to DNA targeting agents. The interrelation between DNA repair deficiency and the increased effect of DNA targeting agents highlights the double-strand break (DSB) repair, which comprises the homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathways. The DNA targeting agents are classified into two major groups: non-covalent DNA binding agents and covalent DNA-reactive agents. Although these agents have well-known limitations, such as resistance and secondary carcinogenesis risk, they are extremely important in today's real-life cancer therapy in combination with targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Indeed, DNA targeting drugs are promising therapeutics with a precise application through the background of cancer-specific DNA repair failure. In the current review, the mechanisms of action of diversified DNA-targeting agents, as well as the modulation of DNA repair pathways to increase the DNA-damaging drugs efficacy are presented. Finally, DNA-targeting-based therapies are discussed considering risks, resistance and its uses in the medicine precision era.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinogenesis; DNA Damage; DNA Repair; Humans; Neoplasms; Precision Medicine; Risk Factors
PubMed: 33340831
DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2020.12.002