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Snaps and mends: DNA breaks and chromosomal translocations

Saniya M Javadekar¹, Sathees C Raghavan¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.

The FEBS Journal

|April 28, 2015

Summary

Genomic integrity is vital for cell survival. This review details factors like DNA structure, specific sequences, and repair anomalies that cause DNA breakage, potentially leading to cancer.

Area of Science:

Genetics
Molecular Biology
Cancer Biology

Background:

Genomic integrity is essential for cellular survival and organismal health.
DNA breakage is a critical initial event in the formation of chromosomal translocations.
Maintaining genome stability is a fundamental biological process.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and highlight factors contributing to chromosomal DNA breakage.
To explore the role of DNA structure, sequence, and cellular processes in genomic fragility.
To connect genomic instability to the development of cancer.

Main Methods:

Literature review of established research on DNA breakage and translocations.
Analysis of factors influencing selective genomic fragility.
Discussion of cellular repair mechanisms and their potential role in translocations.

Main Results:

Non-B-DNA structures (Z-DNA, cruciform DNA, G-quadruplexes, R-loops, triplexes) are implicated in genomic fragility.
Specific DNA sequences targeted by proteins like Recombination Activating Genes (RAG) and Activation Induced Cytidine Deaminase (AID) contribute to translocations.
Anomalous DNA repair processes, nucleotide supply, and chromatin architecture can lead to persistent breakage and translocations.

Conclusions:

Genomic fragility arises from a complex interplay of DNA structure, sequence, and cellular machinery.
Errors in DNA repair pathways can paradoxically promote translocations.
Understanding these factors is crucial for comprehending cancer development and therapeutic strategies.

Keywords:

AID Chromatin architecture DNA Repair DSBs (DNA double strand breaks)RAGs chromosomal translocations genomic instability leukaemia lymphoma non-B-DNA structures

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