Newly Found Complex DNA Repair Discovered—Challenging Prior Beliefs.

Damaged DNA, or DNA breaks, can be extremely harmful to cells resulting in mutation and putting individuals at risk for many different things—cancer being one of the most critical results. Researchers have found ways in the past to repair DNA breaks, but the latest breakthrough from researchers at the University of Toronto have found a new way to repair some damaged DNA using liquid droplets containing complex filaments and protein connectors.

This new discovery challenges a past belief that damaged or broken DNA essentially “floats” around with no direction. In 2015, associate professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at U of T, Karim Mekhail and fellow researchers first challenged the past theory by showing that damaged DNA could in fact be transported to certain areas fortified with particular repairing components in the nuclei of a cell. Later, the same researchers were able to show that damaged DNA travels via lines of extremely thin microtubule filaments that also move, further challenging the “floating” theory. In the most recent discovery, Mekhail and lead author Roxanne Oshidari were able to show shorter “lines” of microtubule filaments and the droplets are able to coordinate together to create a functioning DNA repair centre.

Mekhail made the statement, “The liquid droplets work with intranuclear microtubules to promote the clustering of damaged DNA sites. Repair proteins at these different sites assemble in droplets that fuse into a larger repair-centre droplet, through the action of the shorter nuclear microtubules.” The larger droplet that stems from this process then projects a web of filaments that connect with the “lines” of longer microtubule filaments that continue to transport DNA to a functioning repair centre.

Mekhail finished with the closing statement, “We can’t rely on the old ways of observing. We need to update our software and also go back to looking with the human eye, guided by simulations when needed,” referring to the software used in the past while conducting studies on DNA repair. To me, the statement is a friendly reminder that things, even science, constantly change and room for improvement is always possible! Click the link for the full article! https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200205132349.htm

University of Toronto. “Genome stability: Intricate process of DNA repair discovered.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 February 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200205132349.htm>.