Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Laser Microirradiation to Study In Vivo Cellular Responses to Simple and Complex DNA Damage
Published on: January 31, 2018
Histone post-translational modifications and the response to DNA double-strand breaks
Hugo Wurtele1, Alain Verreault
1Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Pavillon Marcelle-Coutu, 2950 Chemin Polytechnique, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada.
DNA repair faces challenges due to chromatin packaging. Eukaryotic cells use enzymes and histone modifications to overcome these barriers, facilitating DNA lesion detection and repair.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- DNA is packaged into chromatin, which poses physical obstacles to DNA lesion recognition and repair processes.
- Eukaryotic cells possess sophisticated mechanisms to manage chromatin structure and ensure genome integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how chromatin modulation by specific enzymes aids in DNA repair.
- To elucidate the interplay between chromatin remodelling enzymes and histone modifications in DNA damage response.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent research on chromatin remodelling enzymes.
- Analysis of the roles of DNA-damage-inducible and constitutive histone modifications.
- Integration of findings on cellular responses to DNA damage.
Main Results:
- Nucleosome remodelling enzymes are crucial for overcoming chromatin barriers in DNA repair.
- Cooperation between remodelling enzymes and histone modifications enhances DNA lesion detection.
- These mechanisms facilitate multiple aspects of the cellular DNA damage response.
Conclusions:
- Chromatin remodelling enzymes and histone modifications are key players in facilitating DNA repair.
- Understanding these interactions is vital for comprehending cellular responses to DNA damage and maintaining genomic stability.
Related Concept Videos
Fixing Double-strand Breaks
Fixing Double-strand Breaks
Histone Modification
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Histone Modification
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

