To the DNA before permanent damage to protect cells have repair mechanisms of complex

External influences can change the genome of a cell damage. To the DNA before permanent damage to protect cells have repair mechanisms. But these processes do not work forever. Mistakes in DNA repair can lead to cancer. Unreparierte damage the cell contrast to age.

Damage in the genome can activate a genetic program, which was previously known, life-prolonging effect. Such mechanisms may include the development of cancer and thereby prevent the survival, such as age Cologne researchers discovered.

External influences such as certain foods or substances in the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can damage the genome of a cell. To the DNA before permanent damage to protect cells have complex repair mechanisms. But these processes do not always error free. Mistakes in DNA repair can cause mutations in the cancer cell. Unreparierte damage the cell contrast to age.

This happens in people with rare genetic disease progeria. When they accumulate due to lack of repair systems for DNA damage as early in life, that they are already in the childhood age show. In these patients, the researchers Cologne age why certain DNA repair defects lead to premature aging, while others increase the risk of cancer.

This obviously depends on whether the damages arise from active genes. These genes are turned on when needed to genetic information translated into proteins. To solve these genes, DNA damage, the genetic program of life-prolonging. If the damage in the genome but outside the active genes on, the life-prolonging program is not activated. These people develop very early cancer.

Consequently, those people are aging prematurely, the DNA damage in active genes can not resolve. However, if other genetic defects are not repaired, the stakeholders develop cancer early, as the scientists in the journal "Nature Cell Biology" write. Now they explore, according to the University, as the survival program can activate to make approaches to combat age-related diseases to develop.