Endogenous Repair System of Oxidative Damage of DNA

DNA is one of the most important biomolecules of living cells which carries genetic information from generation to generation. Many endogenous and exogenous agents may disrupt the structure of DNA. Change in the cellular genome can lead to errors in replication, transcription and in protein synthesis. DNA damage occurs naturally or result from a metabolic and hydrolytic process which release some very active chemical entities like free radicals, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Reactive Nitrogen Intermediate (RNI), Reactive Carbonyl Species (RCS), lipid peroxidation products and alkylating agents. Superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide cause a significant threat to cellular integrity by damaging the DNA, lipids, proteins and other biomolecules. Oxidative stress may be explained as a disturbance in the number of free radicals and our system’s ability to neutralize these free radicals. Imbalances in the normal redox potential can also lead to toxic effects via the generation of peroxides. Oxidation of DNA bases leads to the base damage, nick in the strand and break in the strand either single or double strand. Oxidative stress can also cause modifications in normal mechanisms of cell signaling. DNA mutation can result in a number of genetic abnormalities such as cancer, heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. Human body has special protection in the form of antioxidant molecules and enzymes against these free radicals. Generation of ROS and its...
Source: Current Chemical Biology - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research