Researchers discover mechanism to restore cell function after DNA damage
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Cologne researchers have discovered that the change in DNA structure, or more precisely the chromatin, plays a crucial role in the recovery from DNA damage. Two methyl groups are occupied by the DNA packaging protein H3 (H3K4me2) in a double occupancy. Scientists under Prof. Bjorn Schmacher’s direction at the Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research CECAD and the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne CMMC, as well as the Institute for Genome Stability in Aging and Disease of the University of Cologne, made the discovery. This specific change allows genes to be reactivated, and proteins to produce after damage. The cells recover their balance and the organ recovers. In experiments on the Caenorhabditis Elegans nematode, H3K4me2’s protective role was discovered. This study was published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.
Every day, the genome of every human cell is damaged. For example, UV radiation from sunlight damages the DNA in the skin. Damage to DNA can cause diseases like cancer, influence development and accelerate aging. In rare hereditary conditions, congenital defects in DNA repair may lead to accelerated aging. Preservation and reconstruction processes, therefore, are crucial to ensuring development and maintaining tissue function. The methyl groups regulate DNA that is wrapped up like cable drums on the packaging proteins, histones. Different proteins are responsible to place methyl groups or remove them from histones. The number of groups that are on the packaging protein affects gene activity and therefore the production of proteins in the cell.
The research team found that, after repairing damaged genetic material, there were two methyl groups on DNA packages. They also found that mistakes in the placement of these two methyl group on the histones H3K4me2 accelerated damage-induced aging, while an increase in the position of this histone modification prolongs lifespan after DNA injury. The resistance of animals to DNA damage, and thus their aging process, could be controlled by controlling the proteins which either remove or set these methyl group.
Source:
https://phys.org/news/2020-10-team-mechanism-cell-function-genome.html
