Great breakthrough: Scientists found new class of DNA repair enzyme

We all know that this year's Nobel Prize in chemistry was given to 3 scientists who focused on one piece of DNA repair puzzle apiece. Now a new-published study in the journal Nature showing the discovery of a new class of DNA repair enzyme. As early as the time when scientists first found the structure of DNA, they think it extremely chemically stable and the stability can allow DNA to pass the basic traits of parents along to offspring. However, biologists have learned that the double helix structure is a highly reactive molecule that is constantly being damaged in fact, and that cells must make endlessly efforts to repair and protect the genetic information that it contains. "More than 10,000 DNA damage events occur each day in every cell in the human body that must be repaired for DNA to function properly," said first author Elwood Mullins, a postdoctoral research associate in the Eichman lab. Tomas Lindahl, who received this year's Nobel Prize, found a new DNA repair enzyme, which is a DNA glycosylase. It is a family of enzymes. He recognized that these enzymes removed damaged DNA bases through a process called base-excision repair. The discovery is inspiring for scientists, and it also shows that more can be learnt about DNA repair. More repair pathways remains to be discovered. Read more:http://www.cusabio.com/Clone/ndhI-1089562.html