Innovative DNA Repair Mechanism Offers Hope for Cancer Treatment

June 9, 2025
Innovative DNA Repair Mechanism Offers Hope for Cancer Treatment

A groundbreaking discovery by scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) has unveiled a novel DNA repair mechanism that could significantly impact cancer treatment and understanding. The research, led by Dr. Irene Chiolo and Dr. Chiara Merigliano at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, was published in the esteemed journal *Molecular Cell* on June 8, 2025.

When DNA breaks occur within a cell, especially in densely packed regions of the genome known as heterochromatin, the consequences can be dire, leading to genetic instability and the potential for cancer. The researchers identified that a protein named Nup98, previously recognized for its role in cellular transport, also plays a crucial part in facilitating the repair of these delicate DNA strands.

Nup98 forms droplet-like structures within the cell nucleus that act as protective bubbles surrounding damaged DNA. This innovative mechanism allows for more accurate repairs by lifting the damaged sections out of the tightly packed heterochromatin, creating a safer environment for repair processes to take place. Dr. Chiolo noted, "Nup98’s droplets help manage the repair crew by keeping certain repair proteins, like Rad51, at bay until the timing is right."

This research has implications not only for understanding the fundamental processes of DNA repair but also for the treatment of specific cancers, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), where mutations in Nup98 have been implicated. Dr. Merigliano emphasized the potential for developing targeted therapies that could either disrupt the harmful functions of mutated Nup98 or enhance its protective roles, thereby reducing genomic instability.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the American Cancer Society provided funding for this research, underscoring its significance in the field of cancer biology. By studying fruit fly cells, which share many DNA repair mechanisms with humans, the team aims to elucidate the underlying processes that lead to cancer when Nup98 is mutated.

This discovery could pave the way for innovative cancer therapies that leverage the understanding of Nup98's role in DNA repair to mitigate risks associated with genome instability, a precursor to various genetic disorders and aging. The researchers hope that by targeting Nup98 mutations, cancer treatments can be more effective and tailored to individual patients, leading to better outcomes in the fight against cancer.

As the scientific community continues to explore the implications of this discovery, it is evident that understanding the intricacies of DNA repair mechanisms like that of Nup98 could revolutionize the approach to cancer therapies and open new avenues for research and treatment strategies in oncology.

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DNA repaircancer treatmentNup98 proteingenomic stabilityacute myeloid leukemiaUSC DornsifeIrene ChioloChiara MeriglianoMolecular Cell journalNational Institutes of HealthNational Science FoundationAmerican Cancer Societygenetic mutationsheterochromatinfruit fly modelcancer biologytargeted therapiesgenome instabilitycellular transportresearch breakthroughcancer researchbiomedical sciencescientific discoveryuniversity researchinnovative therapieshealthcare advancementscancer geneticscell nucleusrepair mechanismsmedical research

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