Abstract

TAFURT CARDONA, Yaliana  and  MARIN MORALES, Maria Aparecida. MAIN REPAIR MECHANISMS FOR DAMAGES IN THE DNA MOLECULE. Biosalud [online]. 2014, vol.13, n.2, pp.95-110. ISSN 1657-9550.

Cells have complex mechanisms that monitor DNA integrity that activate repair mechanisms when there are deficiencies or errors during replication. A potential result of the damage is a permanent alteration in DNA structure that can generate mutations, carcinogenic transformation and cell death. These are attributed to different endogenous agents such as oxygen free radicals (OFR) from respiration, which are considered the center of carcinogenesis and aging process due to genomic damage; exogenous agents, such as ultraviolet light, induce pyrimidine dimers and ionizing radiation that produce a variety of damage on the bases, many by indirect effect. Genotoxins present in food, tobacco and chemotherapeutic agents are also found with high potential in altering the DNA molecule structure and interfering with its expression. Thus, around 10⁵ spontaneous lesions are induced per day in our genes, where the repair mechanisms can detect damages and disturbances during cell growth and division. This is possible thanks to the specific recognition, correction or elimination of damage functions, ensuring the integrity of the genome. In this article the main mechanisms of DNA repair, as well as their relationship and activation according to the type of damage, are presented.

Keywords : direct repair; indirect repair; double-strand breaks repair; induced repair.

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