DNAkorjausreittien

DNAkorjausreittien, which translates to DNA repair pathways in English, refers to a complex network of molecular mechanisms that cells employ to detect and fix damage to their DNA. This damage can arise from various sources, including errors during DNA replication, exposure to environmental mutagens like UV radiation or chemicals, and reactive oxygen species generated during normal cellular metabolism. Without effective DNA repair, accumulating genetic errors can lead to mutations, genomic instability, and ultimately, cell death or diseases such as cancer.

There are several major DNA repair pathways, each specialized for different types of DNA lesions. Base excision repair (BER) addresses small base modifications and single-strand breaks. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is crucial for removing bulky, helix-distorting lesions, such as those caused by UV radiation. Mismatch repair (MMR) corrects errors that occur during DNA replication, ensuring the fidelity of the genome. Double-strand break repair (DSBR) pathways, including non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR), are vital for repairing the most severe form of DNA damage, double-strand breaks. Homologous recombination is a high-fidelity pathway that uses a template to accurately repair the break, while NHEJ is a more error-prone but faster mechanism.

The proper functioning of these DNA repair pathways is essential for maintaining genomic integrity and preventing disease. Defects in these pathways are often associated with an increased risk of cancer and can also contribute to premature aging and other genetic disorders. Understanding DNA repair mechanisms is therefore a significant area of biomedical research, with implications for developing new cancer therapies and treating genetic diseases.