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Related Concept Videos

Spontaneous and Induced Mutations01:30

Spontaneous and Induced Mutations

Spontaneous mutations arise infrequently during DNA replication due to errors in the process. A key factor behind these errors is tautomeric shifts in nitrogenous bases, where bases transition from keto to enol forms or amino to imino forms. This shift can alter base-pairing rules, leading to mutations. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) arising from aerobic metabolism can damage DNA, resulting in depurination (loss of a purine base) or depyrimidination (loss of a pyrimidine base).
Overview of DNA Repair02:25

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...
Overview of DNA Repair02:25

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...
Genome Copying Errors02:46

Genome Copying Errors

DNA replication is a well-evolved process that copies millions of base pairs with high fidelity during each cell division. Occasionally a wrong base or a long stretch of wrong bases may get added to the daughter strands. If the errors are left unchecked, cells might accumulate several mutations that might endanger their  survival. Therefore, the copying errors are checked and repaired at three levels.
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

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Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli
09:01

Mutagenesis and Functional Selection Protocols for Directed Evolution of Proteins in E. coli

Published on: March 16, 2011

Non-B DNA structure-induced genetic instability and evolution.

Junhua Zhao1, Albino Bacolla, Guliang Wang

  • 1Department of Carcinogenesis, Science Park-Research Division, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|September 4, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Repetitive DNA sequences can form non-B DNA structures, leading to mutations and genomic instability. These structures are linked to genetic diseases and drive evolutionary changes in important genes.

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Repetitive DNA motifs are common in genomes and can form non-canonical DNA structures.
  • Non-B DNA structures like G-quadruplexes and Z-DNA are implicated in mutations (deletions, expansions, translocations).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the occurrence of non-B DNA-forming sequences across species.
  • To identify gene classes enriched in these sequences.
  • To explore mechanisms of DNA structure-induced genomic instability.

Main Methods:

  • Genome-wide sequence analyses.
  • Review of existing literature on non-B DNA structures and genomic instability.
  • Mechanistic studies on DNA structure-induced mutations.

Main Results:

  • Non-B DNA structures are frequently found in genomes and co-localize with chromosomal breakage sites.
  • Genomic instability induced by non-B DNA sequences contributes to disease predisposition.
  • These sequences also drive evolutionary changes, especially in developmental and regulatory genes.

Conclusions:

  • Non-B DNA-forming sequences play a critical role in genome stability and evolution.
  • Understanding these structures is crucial for insights into genetic diseases and evolutionary processes.