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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Visualizing and Quantifying Endonuclease-Based Site-Specific DNA Damage
Published on: August 21, 2021
Transcription - guarding the genome by sensing DNA damage
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation and Cancer Biology, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0936, USA. ljungman@umich.edu
Abstract:
Cells induce the expression of DNA-repair enzymes, activate cell-cycle checkpoints and, under some circumstances, undergo apoptosis in response to DNA-damaging agents. The mechanisms by which these cellular responses are triggered are not well understood, but there is recent evidence that the transcription machinery might be used in DNA-damage surveillance and in triggering DNA-damage responses to suppress mutagenesis. Transcription might also act as a DNA-damage dosimeter where the severity of blockage determines whether or not to induce cell death. Could transcription therefore be a potential therapeutic target for anticancer strategies?
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