Elucidating Heterogeneity in the DNA Damage Response Across Cell Generations

Abstract

While cancer is a leading cause of human death, relatively little is understood about the earliest events that induce cellular transformation and lead to cancer. Our genetic material is repeatedly exposed to both endogenous and exogenous sources of genotoxic stress, which can lead to damaged DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The resulting DNA lesions are repaired by a molecular toolbox, called the DNA damage response (DDR) [1, 2]. Errors in the DDR in any single cell may be propagated to daughter cells and cause mutations, which may ultima Show more