Molecular Mechanisms and Application of DNA Damage and DNA Repair

Dear Colleagues, 

DNA damage response (DDR) is activated for preserving genome integrity. DNA lesions can arise during replication or following exposure to DNA stressors. Biochemical characterization of signaling cascade underlying the DDR has indicated the existence of an intricate and complex scenario finely regulated through post-translational modifications, expression of small regulatory RNAs, and proteolytic cleavage of proteins. Recent advances in genetics and structural biochemistry have significantly increased our mechanistic understanding of DNA damage checkpoint components. Despite these advances, it remains unclear how DNA damage is detected early and how the protein-protein complexes are coordinated to modulate the repair and the regulation of cell cycle progression. Therefore, we need a detailed molecular picture of the dynamic events occurring upon genotoxic stress. The occurrence of pathogenic variants of components involved in the DNA damage response is associated with a higher risk of cancer. Whereas, no functional effects for a large number of missense variants of DDR components have been established. This in turn prevents the clinical management of individuals carrying these variants. With the further characterization of missense variants and the network modeling, we will address the complex cellular response induced by DNA damage in the near future.

Herein, we invite the submission of original papers and review articles that cover any aspect of DDR; special emphasis will be given to emerging characterization of missense variants of genes involved in the DNA damage response.

Dr. Stefania Gonfloni
Guest Editor

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