Exploring the DNA Repair Mechanism free essay sample

A summary, review and critique of cutting edge research into the mechanisms behind DNA repair in eukaryotes. The importance of DNA repair mechanisms and the fascinating enzymes involved within them have been underestimated. Without these repair proteins, our DNA would be fatally mutated at such a frequency to extinguish life as we know it. This paper reviews a piece of current research on the proteins that allow repair to occur. Some novel details about the flexibility and dynamics of several proteins are revealed through 3-D imaging of the proteins. The regulation of these proteins is also postulated in light of the data collected. Replication protein A (RPA) is a nuclear single stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein in eukaryotes and is essential to DNA replication, recombination and repair. With all the cell division going on in a developing embryo, the chance of deleterious mutation goes up for certain and thus there is a greater need for a functioning DNA repair mechanism. We will write a custom essay sample on Exploring the DNA Repair Mechanism or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page There is definitely a lot of replication and transcription of DNA going on during early post-fertilization growth and mitotic divisions that need to be conserved. Also important is the all-important preservation of gametogenesis during the first week of development. Without means to repair all the statistically inevitable mistakes during mitosis and meiosis, none of us would have the functional gametes to pass on viable DNA to future generations. The repair protein mechanisms and the role RPA plays to lower the activation energy of the reactions makes sense to be selected for in order for our selfish genes to continue to thrive. RPA was known prior to this study and so was something about its role in excision repair, but what was not known was the specific tertiary and quaternary structure of the subunits and active sites in the enzyme that allowed for the observed activity.