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Updated: Dec 23, 2025
A Simple, Rapid, and Quantitative Assay to Measure Repair of DNA-protein Crosslinks on Plasmids Transfected into Mammalian Cells
Published on: March 5, 2018
DNA-protein crosslinks from environmental exposure: Mechanisms of formation and repair
Yusuke Kojima1, Yuichi J Machida1,2
1Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Abstract:
Many environmental carcinogens cause DNA damage, which can result in mutations and other alterations in genomic DNA if not repaired promptly. Because of the bulkiness of the lesions, DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) are one of the types of toxic DNA damage with potentially deleterious consequences. Despite the importance of DPCs, how cells remove these complex DNA adducts has been incompletely understood. However, major progress in the DPC repair field over the past 5 years now supports the view that cells are equipped with multiple mechanisms to cope with DPCs. Here, we first provide an overview of environmental substances that induce DPCs, describing the sources of exposure and mechanisms of DPC formation. We then review current models of DPC repair and discuss their significance for environmental carcinogens.
Insights
Environmental carcinogens cause DNA damage, forming bulky DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs). Recent research reveals cells possess multiple DNA-protein crosslink repair mechanisms to mitigate this toxic damage.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Environmental carcinogens induce DNA damage, potentially leading to mutations.
- DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) are bulky, toxic DNA adducts with significant consequences.
- Understanding DPC formation and cellular removal is crucial for environmental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of environmental substances that induce DPCs.
- To describe sources of exposure and mechanisms of DPC formation.
- To review current models of DPC repair and their significance for environmental carcinogens.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of environmental carcinogens and DPC formation.
- Analysis of current research on DNA-protein crosslink repair pathways.
- Synthesis of findings on DPC repair significance in environmental carcinogenesis.
Main Results:
- Identified various environmental substances causing DPCs.
- Detailed mechanisms of DPC induction by environmental agents.
- Highlighted significant progress in understanding cellular DPC repair mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Cells employ multiple mechanisms to repair DNA-protein crosslinks.
- Understanding DPC repair is vital for addressing environmental carcinogen risks.
- Recent advancements offer new insights into cellular defense against DPCs.
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