Science & Technology - Friday, March 12, 2010 12:32 - 2 Comments

Jumpy proteins repair DNA ‘potholes’

DNA is suspended as tightropes on beads to permit direct single molecule imaging of the lesion search process during repair. Bennett Van Houten, senior author of the study, says the repair process is “akin to spotting potholes on every street all over the country and getting them fixed before the next rush hour.” (Credit: Neil Kad/University of Essex)

U. PITTSBURGH (US)—Repair proteins appear to efficiently scan the genome for errors by jumping like fleas between DNA molecules, sliding along the strands and perhaps pausing at suspicious spots. Continue…