Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

DNA Helicases00:55

DNA Helicases

DNA unwinding helicase enzymes are a type of motor protein. Motor proteins can translocate along filaments or polymers using energy generated from ATP hydrolysis. Helicases are involved in all the important cellular processes where DNA unwinding is required, such as DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. They are present in all living organisms, but vary in their structure, function, and mechanism of action. For example, in prokaryotes, DnaB helicase binds and translocates...
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:38

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...
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:08

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Overview
Fixing Double-strand Breaks02:04

Fixing Double-strand Breaks

The double-stranded structure of DNA has two major advantages. First, it serves as a safe repository of genetic information where one strand serves as the back-up in case the other strand is damaged. Second, the double-helical structure can be wrapped around proteins called histones to form nucleosomes, which can then be tightly wound to form chromosomes. This way, DNA chains up to 2 inches long can be contained within microscopic structures in a cell. A double-stranded break not only damages...
Fixing Double-strand Breaks02:04

Fixing Double-strand Breaks

The double-stranded structure of DNA has two major advantages. First, it serves as a safe repository of genetic information where one strand serves as the back-up in case the other strand is damaged. Second, the double-helical structure can be wrapped around proteins called histones to form nucleosomes, which can then be tightly wound to form chromosomes. This way, DNA chains up to 2 inches long can be contained within microscopic structures in a cell. A double-stranded break not only damages...
Homologous Recombination02:31

Homologous Recombination

The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Dual targeting of GPX4 and TXNRD1 triggers eradication of AML cells through induction of apoptosis and ferroptosis.

Experimental hematology & oncology·2026
Same author

Bioengineered baculovirus-derived extracellular vesicles loaded with of γ-carboxylated Gla-rich protein: Dual modulation of inflammation and vascular calcification.

Biomaterials advances·2026
Same author

Nucleotide Excision Repair: Insights into Canonical and Emerging Functions of the Transcription/DNA Repair Factor TFIIH.

Genes·2025
Same author

Structure of the human TIP60-C histone exchange and acetyltransferase complex.

Nature·2024
Same author

Molecular mechanism of IKK catalytic dimer docking to NF-κB substrates.

Nature communications·2024
Same author

A Time and Cost-Effective Pipeline for Expression Screening and Protein Production in Insect Cells Based on the HR-Bac Toolbox to Generate Recombinant Baculoviruses.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Tools to Study the Role of Architectural Protein HMGB1 in the Processing of Helix Distorting, Site-specific DNA Interstrand Crosslinks
12:19

Tools to Study the Role of Architectural Protein HMGB1 in the Processing of Helix Distorting, Site-specific DNA Interstrand Crosslinks

Published on: November 10, 2016

[DNA helicases and human diseases].

Muriel Uhring1, Arnaud Poterszman

  • 1Institut de génétique et de biologie moléculaire et cellulaire, UMR 7104 CNRS/Inserm/ULP, 1, rue Laurent-Fries, BP 10142, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France.

Medecine Sciences : M/S
|December 13, 2006
PubMed
Summary

DNA helicases are crucial for genome stability. Defects in these enzymes, like RecQ helicases and BRIP1, lead to human syndromes including cancer predisposition and genomic instability.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Context:

  • DNA helicases are essential molecular motors that unwind DNA structures, playing a vital role in cellular metabolism and genome maintenance.
  • Defects in DNA helicase function are linked to various human genetic disorders characterized by genomic instability and increased cancer susceptibility.
  • Several families of helicases, including RecQ, BRIP1, XPD, and XPB, are implicated in maintaining genome integrity and are associated with specific inherited diseases.

Purpose:

  • To review the diverse biological functions of key DNA helicases.
  • To elucidate the molecular basis of human genetic disorders associated with DNA helicase dysfunction.
  • To summarize current knowledge on helicase-related diseases and their genetic underpinnings.

Summary:

More Related Videos

Using Next Generation Sequencing to Identify Mutations Associated with Repair of a CAS9-induced Double Strand Break Near the CD4 Promoter
06:59

Using Next Generation Sequencing to Identify Mutations Associated with Repair of a CAS9-induced Double Strand Break Near the CD4 Promoter

Published on: March 31, 2022

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase
07:37

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase

Published on: September 27, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Tools to Study the Role of Architectural Protein HMGB1 in the Processing of Helix Distorting, Site-specific DNA Interstrand Crosslinks
12:19

Tools to Study the Role of Architectural Protein HMGB1 in the Processing of Helix Distorting, Site-specific DNA Interstrand Crosslinks

Published on: November 10, 2016

Using Next Generation Sequencing to Identify Mutations Associated with Repair of a CAS9-induced Double Strand Break Near the CD4 Promoter
06:59

Using Next Generation Sequencing to Identify Mutations Associated with Repair of a CAS9-induced Double Strand Break Near the CD4 Promoter

Published on: March 31, 2022

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase
07:37

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase

Published on: September 27, 2024

  • This review focuses on DNA helicases, enzymes critical for unwinding DNA and maintaining genome stability.
  • It details the roles of RecQ helicases (RecQ4, BLM, WRN), BRIP1/BACH1, XPD, and XPB in DNA repair and metabolism.
  • The review links mutations in these helicases to human syndromes such as Bloom syndrome, Werner syndrome, Fanconi anemia group J, xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome, and trichothiodystrophy, highlighting genomic instability and cancer predisposition.

Impact:

  • Provides a comprehensive overview of DNA helicase functions and their implications in human health.
  • Enhances understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic disorders caused by helicase defects.
  • Serves as a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians studying genome instability, cancer, and rare genetic diseases.