Focus on DNA Repair Replication

Abstract

The crucial factor for the survival of an organism resides in genetic stability. In fact the integrity of the DNA sequence, that carries out and regulates genetic information, can be impaired by inaccurate maintenance processes, endogenous metabolites or exogenous agents. Therefore, a sophisticated network of efficient DNA damage response mechanisms, including DNA repair, checkpoint mechanisms and damage tolerance processes, are dedicated to remove or bypass most of these genomic insults and is known as the DNA Damage Response (DDR). The relevance of this multi-protein DDR response is illustrated by the severe clinical symptoms associated with inherited defects in the DDR factors. Chapter 1 introduces the different DNA lesions, the DDR response and the most appropriate technical approach to study the different DDR factors. The various DDR associated diseases are also presented in this chapter.