Cellular DNA Repair Pathway

The cellular DNA repair pathway refers to a collection of highly conserved molecular mechanisms that detect and correct damage to the DNA within cells, thereby maintaining genomic stability and integrity. These pathways are essential for cell survival, as they counteract the constant threat posed by endogenous metabolic by-products, environmental agents (such as radiation and chemicals), and errors during normal cellular processes like replication. The primary function is to identify various forms of DNA damage—including base modifications, mismatches, single-strand breaks (SSBs), double-strand breaks (DSBs), bulky adducts, and crosslinks—and restore the original sequence or structure of the genome. By repairing such lesions, these pathways prevent mutations that could lead to diseases such as cancer or contribute to aging.

Inhibition of DNA repair pathways