DNA degradation and its defects

Kohki Kawane; Kou Motani; Shigekazu Nagata

doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a016394

DNA degradation and its defects

Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2014 Jun 2;6(6):a016394. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a016394.

Authors

Kohki Kawane¹, Kou Motani¹, Shigekazu Nagata²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Chemistry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Yoshida-Konoe, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
² Department of Medical Chemistry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Yoshida-Konoe, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Yoshida-Konoe, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.

Abstract

DNA is one of the most essential molecules in organisms, containing all the information necessary for organisms to live. It replicates and provides a mechanism for heredity and evolution. Various events cause the degradation of DNA into nucleotides. DNA also has a darker side that has only recently been recognized; DNA that is not properly degraded causes various diseases. In this review, we discuss four deoxyribonucleases that function in the nucleus, cytosol, and lysosomes, and how undigested DNA causes such diseases as cancer, cataract, and autoinflammation. Studies on the biochemical and physiological functions of deoxyribonucleases should continue to increase our understanding of cellular functions and human diseases.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Cell Nucleus / metabolism
Cytosol / metabolism
DNA / metabolism*
Gene Expression
Humans
Hydrolysis
Signal Transduction

Substances

DNA