Scientists from Western University in Canada have discovered that the DdrC protein has a unique ability to stop DNA damage. Research results It was published In the journal Nucleic Acids Research (NAR).
Researchers have discovered a protein called DdrC in the fairly common bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans (D. radiodurans). It has the unique ability to survive DNA-damaging conditions, such as exposure to radiation five to ten thousand times that which destroys human cells.
Scientists have explained that every cell has a DNA repair mechanism that repairs damage. If more than two breaks occur in the genome of billions of base pairs in a human cell, it cannot be repaired and collapses. DdrC helps bacterial cells repair hundreds of broken pieces of DNA.
The researchers explained that DdrC simultaneously scans DNA for breaks and “slams” damage shut. This gripping action has two main functions: to neutralize the damage and to prevent it from spreading further. DdrC also signals the cell that there is damage and prompts it to quickly repair it.
The scientists tested DdrC’s reducing ability by adding it to another bacterium, E. coli, which made it 40 times more resistant to damage from ultraviolet light.
The scientists theoretically noted that the protein could be delivered to any organism to increase the efficiency of cell DNA repair. The discovery could form the basis for creating cancer vaccines and selecting unique crops that can withstand harsh growing conditions.
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Source: Gazeta
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