How cells tolerate DNA damage - start signal for cell survival program identified

Cancer researchers of the Max Delbrueck Centre for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch have gained new insights into how cells react to DNA damage. Dr Michael Stilmann, Dr Michael Hinz and Professor Claus Scheidereit have shown that the protein PARP-1, which detects DNA damage within seconds, activates the transcription factor NF-kappaB, a well-known regulator of gene expression. NF-kappaB triggers a survival program, which blocks programmed cell death. The activation of NF-kappaB is thought to be one of the potential causes for tumour cell resistance to chemo and radiation therapy...

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