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Nucleotide Excision Repair

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Overview of DNA Repair

Overview of DNA Repair

In order to be passed through generations, genomic DNA must be undamaged and error-free. However, every day, DNA in a cell undergoes several thousand to a million damaging events by natural causes and external factors. Ionizing radiation such as UV rays, free radicals produced during cellular respiration, and hydrolytic damage from metabolic reactions can alter the structure of DNA. Damages caused include single-base alteration, base dimerization, chain breaks, and cross-linkage.
Chemically...

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...

Overview of DNA Repair

Overview of DNA Repair

In order to be passed through generations, genomic DNA must be undamaged and error-free. However, every day, DNA in a cell undergoes several thousand to a million damaging events by natural causes and external factors. Ionizing radiation such as UV rays, free radicals produced during cellular respiration, and hydrolytic damage from metabolic reactions can alter the structure of DNA. Damages caused include single-base alteration, base dimerization, chain breaks, and cross-linkage.
Chemically...

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Identifying DNA Mutations in Purified Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells

Identifying DNA Mutations in Purified Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells

Published on: February 24, 2014

DNA repair, genome stability, and aging.

David B Lombard¹, Katrin F Chua, Raul Mostoslavsky

¹Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Children's Hospital, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School and, The CBR Institute for Biomedical Research, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

|March 1, 2005

Summary

Aging is linked to DNA damage accumulation and impaired DNA repair, which can accelerate aging processes. This review explores the connection between genomic instability and aging, highlighting cellular responses and future research directions.

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Last Updated: May 8, 2026

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Area of Science:

Gerontology
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Aging is characterized by functional decline and increased mortality.
Accumulation of nuclear DNA lesions is a hallmark of the aging process.
Defects in DNA repair mechanisms can lead to premature aging phenotypes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the evidence linking aging to nuclear DNA lesions.
To discuss the role of cellular DNA damage responses in aging manifestations.
To explore the function of Sir2 in genomic stability, metabolism, and aging.

Main Methods:

Literature review of aging research.
Analysis of studies on DNA damage and repair in aging.
Examination of the role of Sir2 and mutant mouse models.

Main Results:

DNA damage increases with age.
Impaired DNA repair is associated with premature aging.
Cellular DNA damage responses contribute to aging.
Sir2 links genomic stability, metabolism, and aging.

Conclusions:

Genomic instability, particularly DNA damage, is a key factor in aging.
Cellular responses to DNA damage play a significant role in aging.
Mutant mice are valuable tools for aging research, with further investigation needed.