DNA Damage Response (DDR) and DNA Repair 2.0

Dear Colleagues,

A large body of evidence indicates that DNA alterations such as chromosome aberrations and mutations can lead to several diseases, including cancer, and affect some aspects of aging. Each cell in the human body receives tens of thousands of DNA lesions per day that threaten the integrity of the genome. DNA lesions include base oxidation or alkylation, mismatch of nucleotides, crosslinks between intra- or inter- DNA strands, and single or double DNA strand breaks. Cells have evolved several mechanisms to counteract these various types of DNA damage, the importance of which is emphasized by the fact that mutations in genes required for DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA repair can result in genetic disorders, genomic instability, or cancer predisposition. In addition to radiations (i.e., UV light, X-rays) or chemicals, endogenous processes of oxidative stress and inflammation also cause DNA damage. Furthermore, there is accumulating evidence on how diet can have an impact on DNA and, ultimately, on cancer. The deficiency of micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins—which work as cofactors of enzymes involved in DNA metabolism— has been shown to cause single- and double-strand breaks, oxidative lesions, or both. Moreover, micronutrients can influence DNA folding and remodeling, an essential part of accurate double-strand break repair.

Although a significant number of studies concerning all these topics have been published over the past several decades. more investigation is required to reach a deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this Special Issue, we aim to offer a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of mechanisms at the basis of DNA integrity maintenance and explore how the impairment of these mechanisms can lead to human diseases such as cancer or neurodegenerative diseases. 

This Special Issue invites original studies and review articles covering the following themes:

1. Mechanisms at the basis of DDR and DNA repair;
2. Biological consequences of deficiency in DDR and DNA repair;
3. Maintenance of genome stability;
4. Relationship between metabolism and DNA damage;
5. How chromatin structure influences repair processes;
6. Perspective or preclinical implications of genome instability in genetic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer using cells and animal models.

Dr. Fiammetta Verni
Guest Editor

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• DDR
• DNA repair
• genome stability

• DNA Damage Response (DDR) and DNA Repair in International Journal of Molecular Sciences (9 articles)