Locking mechanism found for 'scissors' that cut DNA
Monday, December 29, 2014 - 18:00
in Biology & Nature
The mechanism that keeps an enzyme from becoming overzealous in its clipping of DNA has been discovered by researchers. Since controlled clipping is required for the production of specialized immune system proteins, an understanding of what keeps the enzyme in check should help explain why its mutant forms can lead to immunodeficiency and cancer.