Repair and processing events at DNA ends
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Updated: Oct 30, 2026

Visualizing and Quantifying Endonuclease-Based Site-Specific DNA Damage
Published on: August 21, 2021
T Lindahl1, D E Barnes, A Klungland
1Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Clare Hall Laboratories, South Mimms, Herts, UK.
Abstract:
Cell nuclei contain several abundant enzymes that bind rapidly and avidly to exposed termini of DNA. The properties and physiological roles of such factors are described; they include poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, DNA-dependent protein kinase, several DNA ligases and excision-repair enzymes. Telomeres normally seem shielded from these activities by telomere-binding proteins. If incomplete protection of telomeres occurred, the functions of the DNA end-specific enzymes would be relevant for processing of telomeres. This could include alternative pathways for telomere propagation in telomerase-negative cells.
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