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Scientists from University of Sheffield and Oxford (UK) have discovered a new “toolkit” for repairing damaged DNA that can cause diseases such as aging or cancer.
Posted in’Nature communications‘, research shows that a protein called TEX264, along with other enzymes, is able to recognize and “eat” toxic proteins that can adhere to DNA and cause it to be damaged. An accumulation of broken and damaged DNA can cause cellular aging, cancer, and neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Until now, ways to repair this type of DNA damage are poorly understood, but scientists hope to harness this new set of repair proteins to protect us from aging, cancer and neurological diseases.
The findings could also have implications for chemotherapy, which deliberately causes breaks in DNA in an attempt to kill cancer cells.
Scientists believe that targeting the TEX264 protein may offer a new way to treat cancer.
“If DNA breaks in our genome are not repaired, this can compromise our ability to enjoy a healthy life in later life, as well as leaving us vulnerable to neurological diseases such as motor neuron disease (MND). “We hope that, by understanding how our cells repair DNA breaks, we can help overcome some of these challenges, as well as explore new ways to treat cancer in the future,” said Sherif El-Khamisy, co-founder and deputy director of the institute. Healthy Lifespan Institute at the University of Sheffield.
For Kristijan Ramadan, of the University of Oxford, one of the leaders of the research, ”the discovery of TEX264, a protein that constitutes the specialized mechanism for digesting toxic proteins in our DNA, significantly changes the current understanding of how cells repair the genome and, therefore, protect us from accelerated aging, cancer and neurodegeneration “I believe this discovery has great potential for cancer therapy in the future and we are already pursuing our research in that direction.”
How might advancements in DNA repair impact the treatment of age-related diseases?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Dr. Sarah Thompson, DNA Repair Expert
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Thompson! Thank you for joining us today. The recent research from the University of Sheffield and Oxford has caught quite a bit of attention. Can you summarize the significance of this discovery?
Dr. Thompson: Absolutely! This groundbreaking research introduces a new “toolkit” for repairing damaged DNA, which is crucial for maintaining cellular health. The focus is primarily on a protein called TEX264, which can identify and eliminate toxic proteins that can attach to DNA and cause damage. This advancement has pivotal implications for understanding and potentially mitigating diseases linked to DNA damage, such as aging, cancer, and neurological disorders like ALS.
Editor: That sounds fascinating! How does TEX264 specifically contribute to the DNA repair process?
Dr. Thompson: TEX264 plays a vital role in recognizing damaged proteins that can accumulate on DNA strands. Once identified, TEX264, along with other enzymes, can “eat” or degrade these toxic proteins, effectively preventing them from causing further harm. By doing so, it helps to maintain the integrity of our DNA and reduces the risk of pathological conditions that arise from DNA damage.
Editor: It seems like a revolutionary step in the field. Could you explain why understanding DNA repair mechanisms has been so challenging until now?
Dr. Thompson: Certainly! The complexity of cellular processes and the myriad pathways involved in DNA repair have made this area of research challenging. Historically, scientists have struggled to pinpoint specific proteins and mechanisms responsible for repairing DNA damage. However, this research sheds light on a previously underexplored aspect, which gives us a new angle to approach treatment strategies for diseases linked to DNA damage.
Editor: What potential applications do you see for this new DNA repair toolkit in the medical field?
Dr. Thompson: The therapeutic potential is vast. By harnessing proteins like TEX264, researchers might be able to develop new treatments aimed at enhancing DNA repair mechanisms in patients, thereby reducing the incidence of age-related diseases, cancer progression, and neurodegenerative conditions. Further studies could lead to the formulation of drugs that could boost our natural DNA repair processes, which could be a game-changer in preventive medicine.
Editor: That’s an exciting prospect! What are the next steps for researchers following this discovery?
Dr. Thompson: The immediate next steps involve further investigations to understand the full functionality of TEX264 and its associated enzymes. Researchers will likely conduct experiments to see how these proteins can be effectively utilized or even modified for therapeutic applications. Additionally, exploring how these proteins interact within the broader context of cellular mechanisms will be crucial for translating this research into clinical applications.
Editor: As we look towards the future, how optimistic are you about the potential to combat diseases through advancements like this?
Dr. Thompson: I am very optimistic! The pace of scientific discovery, especially in genetics and molecular biology, is accelerating. With new tools and technologies at our disposal, we’re uncovering more about how we can harness the body’s own mechanisms to fight diseases. This research is a significant stepping stone, and I believe it will pave the way for innovative therapies that could significantly improve health outcomes in the coming years.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for sharing your insights with us today. It’s thrilling to hear how science is on the brink of unlocking new avenues for health and longevity.
Dr. Thompson: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such important developments in the field.