Key to Maintaining DNA Revealed

University of Rochester (US) scientists discover how DNA maintenance is regulated, opening the door to interventions that may enhance the body’s natural preservation of genetic information. The new findings may help researchers delay the onset of aging and aging-related diseases by curbing the loss or damage of our genetic makeup, which makes us more susceptible to cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Robert Bambara and colleagues report that a process called acetylation regulates the maintenance of our DNA. The team has discovered that acetylation determines the degree of fidelity of both DNA replication and repair.