Loopholes in the DNA contract kill neurons

Nature Neuroscience 20, 1192 (2017). doi:10.1038/nn.4626 Authors: Karl Herrup, Kai-Hei Tse & Hei-Man Chow Hexanucleotide repeat expansions in C9orf72 gene locus create double jeopardy, first by leading to DNA–RNA R-loops that spawn double-strand breaks and second by the synthesis of dipeptide repeats that hinder DNA repair. This two-pronged mechanism may explain neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia.
Source: Nature Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: News and Views Source Type: research