Epigenetic Consequences Of DNA Damage
Our genetic material, DNA, is constantly under threat from various forms of damage. While our cells have sophisticated repair mechanisms, new research highlights that these damaging events can leave behind “scars” that aren’t in the DNA sequence itself, but rather in the way our genes are regulated. These regulatory changes are part of what scientists call epigenetics—a system of chemical tags and structural adjustments around the DNA that dictate which genes are turned on or off, much like a dimmer switch for gene activity. When DNA gets damaged, these epigenetic marks can be altered, leading to persistent changes in how a cell reads its genetic instructions. This can affect a cell’s identity, its aging process, and its susceptibility to diseases. For instance, the tightly packed structure of DNA, called chromatin, needs to loosen up for repair enzymes to access damaged sites. This unwinding and rewinding is controlled by epigenetic modifications. The study explores how different types of DNA damage, such as those caused by oxidation or issues at the ends of chromosomes (telomeres), interact with these epigenetic controls. Ultimately, these lasting epigenetic changes can influence the stability of our entire genome and contribute to the development of various health conditions.
Source: link to paper