How Defects In One Gene Causes Three Devestating Diseases; Risk For Cancer, Early Aging
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 - 16:14
in Biology & Nature
The protein XPD is one component of an essential repair mechanism that maintains the integrity of DNA. Pinpoint mutations of this single protein are responsible for three different human diseases associated with increased risk of cancer and accelerated aging: xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome, and trichothiodystrophy. Researchers have now solved the essential structure of XPD, revealing novel insights into the processes of aging and cancer.