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Related Concept Videos

DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

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...
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

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 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...
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...

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Updated: May 23, 2026

Characterizing DNA Repair Processes at Transient and Long-lasting Double-strand DNA Breaks by Immunofluorescence Microscopy
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Characterizing DNA Repair Processes at Transient and Long-lasting Double-strand DNA Breaks by Immunofluorescence Microscopy

Published on: June 8, 2018

Competition, collaboration and coordination--determining how cells bypass DNA damage.

Julian E Sale1

  • 1Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK. jes@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk

Journal of Cell Science
|April 14, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Cells use DNA repair pathways like translesion synthesis and homologous recombination to replicate damaged DNA. Recent findings reveal these pathways dynamically interact, forming context-dependent modules for efficient DNA replication.

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Characterizing DNA Repair Processes at Transient and Long-lasting Double-strand DNA Breaks by Immunofluorescence Microscopy
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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cells encounter replication blocks from DNA damage, risking genomic instability or death.
  • Established mechanisms include translesion synthesis (TLS), template switching, and homologous recombination (HR) for DNA damage bypass.
  • These pathways were traditionally viewed as distinct and competing alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the static view of DNA damage bypass pathways.
  • To propose a dynamic, modular model for understanding lesion bypass mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent genetic approaches.
  • Analysis of physical intermediates in bypass reactions.
  • Integration of findings from various studies on DNA replication and repair.

Main Results:

  • Classical pathways (TLS, template switching, HR) exhibit more dynamic interactions than previously thought.
  • These pathways are not always mutually exclusive but can cooperate.
  • The assembly and function of bypass mechanisms are highly context-dependent.

Conclusions:

  • A shift from static pathways to dynamically assembled modules is proposed for lesion bypass.
  • This modular perspective better reflects the intricate and context-specific nature of DNA replication over damage.
  • Understanding these dynamic interactions is crucial for comprehending genomic stability maintenance.