What's Happening?
An international research team has discovered a human protein, ANKLE1, which acts as a DNA-cutting enzyme capable of detecting and responding to physical tension in DNA. This discovery is significant as it plays a crucial role in maintaining genetic integrity
during cell division, a process that, if disrupted, can lead to cancer and other serious diseases. The study, published in Nature Communications, was a collaborative effort involving Professor Gary Ying Wai Chan's laboratory at the University of Hong Kong and Dr. Artem Efremov's biophysics team at Shenzhen Bay Laboratory. The research highlights how ANKLE1 functions as a specialized 'tension sensor' nuclease, cutting DNA only when it is under tension or supercoiled, thus preventing random DNA breaks that could cause genetic chaos.
Why It's Important?
The discovery of ANKLE1's role as a tension-sensitive DNA cutter is a significant advancement in understanding how cells protect their genetic material under physical stress. This research provides crucial insights into preventing dangerous DNA breaks that can lead to cancer and other diseases. The study suggests that inhibiting ANKLE1 could make cancer cells more susceptible to existing treatments, offering a novel therapeutic target. This could lead to new strategies for exploiting tumor vulnerabilities and enhancing genome maintenance knowledge.
