Mutations linked to genetic disorders shed light on a crucial DNA repair pathway


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Dividing cells are prone to errors, and so they must be prepared to summon sophisticated emergency systems to deal with potential damage. One type of division-derailing mishap can occur when assault by certain chemicals causes two strands of DNA to permanently connect when they shouldn’t, in what scientists call interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). Properly fixing these crosslinks is crucial to preventing cancer, maintaining tissues, and fertility.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-08-mutations-linked-genetic-disorders-crucial.html#jCp