(Press-News.org) How UV Radiation Triggers a Cellular Rescue Mission
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a well-known cause of DNA damage, which can lead to diseases like skin cancer. But how do our cells repair this damage to protect us? Researchers from Sabanci University, Veysel Oğulcan Kaya and Ogün Adebali, have uncovered a fascinating answer: when DNA is damaged by UV light, our cells reorganize their genetic material in 3D space to prioritize repair, in what might be called a “cellular rescue mission.”
A New Look at DNA Repair
DNA, the blueprint of life, is not just a long string of genetic instructions—it’s carefully folded and packed within our cells. This folding isn’t random; it’s part of a complex system that allows the cell to access specific parts of the DNA when needed, such as during repair processes.
When UV radiation strikes, it creates lesions—tiny injuries—that can block essential cellular functions. But these injuries don’t happen in isolation. The entire structure of the cell’s DNA adjusts, helping specialized repair teams reach the damaged spots more effectively.
“DNA isn’t just a static code. It’s dynamic and incredibly responsive,” said Ogün Adebali, the principal investigator overseeing the research. “The way DNA is organized helps the cell act quickly to repair damage.”
Rearranging DNA for Repair
Imagine your genome as a library, where books (genes) are stored on shelves (sections of DNA). When UV damage occurs, the library’s shelves rearrange themselves, bringing damaged books closer to repair tools. This movement makes the repair process faster and more efficient.
To uncover these patterns of DNA reorganization, the researchers used a cutting-edge deep learning framework. By analyzing vast amounts of genomic data, this approach helped them detect subtle changes in how DNA regions interact with one another after UV damage. This advanced method revealed not only where the damage occurs but also how the genome reshapes itself to prioritize repairs.
The researchers found that areas of the genome—where the DNA is especially active and accessible—are prioritized for repair. These regions are like high-traffic zones in the library, ensuring that the most critical books are fixed first. This helps cells maintain essential functions, even under stressful conditions like UV exposure.
DNA Damage Response: More Than Just Repair
In addition to fixing damaged DNA, the researchers discovered that UV radiation triggers changes in gene activity. Some genes, particularly those involved in coordinating the cell’s defense, become more active. These genes produce proteins that help the cell survive and recover.
For example, genes like JUN and FOS, which are part of the cell’s emergency response system, are quickly turned on after UV exposure. These genes help control inflammation and protect cells from dying.
“What’s remarkable is witnessing this intricate coordination between the 3D genome, transcription and DNA repair,” said Veysel Oğulcan Kaya, the primary author of the study. “What surprised us most was how quickly the DNA damage response happens—within just 12 minutes after UV exposure. Even more surprising is that we could observe early signs of recovery within the first 30 minutes.”
Why It Matters
This research provides new insights into how cells maintain their genetic integrity. By mapping how DNA moves and how certain genes are activated during repair, the study offers clues about why some people might be more resistant to UV-related diseases than others.
The team hopes these findings will inspire new strategies for preventing and treating conditions like skin cancer. Understanding the “rules” behind DNA’s reorganization could help scientists design better drugs or therapies to boost the body’s natural repair processes.
What’s Next?
The researchers are already planning to study how other environmental hazards, such as pollutants or carcinogens, affect DNA’s organization and repair mechanisms. They also aim to refine their methods to gain even clearer insights into how DNA repair works.
“This study is just the beginning,” Adebali said. “Our findings open the door to exploring how cells protect themselves from a wide range of stresses, not just UV damage.”
Supported by funding from TÜBITAK, this research highlights the remarkable adaptability of our cells in safeguarding the very blueprint of life. It’s a story of resilience, precision, and the incredible machinery that keeps us alive, even in the face of everyday challenges like sunlight.
The study was published in Nature Communications on February 5, 2025, offering a detailed look at the dynamic response of DNA to UV-induced damage and its repair mechanisms.
END
How UV radiation triggers a cellular rescue mission
2025-03-12
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Hepatic stellate cells control liver function and regeneration
2025-03-12
Until now, doctors knew hepatic stellate cells mainly as drivers of liver fibrosis. The actual functions of this cell type have hardly been studied to date. Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Mannheim Medical Faculty and Columbia University in New York have now published in the journal Nature that hepatic stellate cells control liver metabolism as well as liver regeneration and size. The results of the study could contribute to new therapeutic approaches for liver diseases.
The liver is a central organ for carbohydrate and protein metabolism as well as for the detoxification ...
The secret DNA circles fueling pancreatic cancer’s aggression
2025-03-12
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, with a five-year survival rate of 13%. This poor prognosis stems from both late detection and the cancer’s notorious capacity to adapt and resist therapy. Now, a study led by researchers at the University of Verona, University of Glasgow, and the Botton-Champalimaud Pancreatic Cancer Centre uncovers a hidden driver of this adaptability: extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA).
A New Player in Pancreatic Cancer
The team found that some pancreatic cancer cells gain a major survival edge by carrying copies of critical cancer genes—such as ...
2D metals: Chinese scientists achieve breakthrough in atomic manufacturing
2025-03-12
Since the groundbreaking discovery of graphene in 2004, the dizzying pace of progress in two-dimensional (2D) materials has ushered in a new era of fundamental research and technological innovation. Although nearly 2,000 2D materials have been theoretically predicted and hundreds have been created in laboratory settings, most of these 2D materials are limited to van der Waals (vdW) layered crystals.
Scientists have long been keen to develop atomically thin 2D metals, thereby expanding ...
Cause of post-COVID inflammatory shock in children identified
2025-03-12
MIS-C is a serious inflammatory shock that affects children. It can occur several weeks after a COVID infection and can be life-threatening. Until now, however, the precise cause of the condition was unknown. Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the German Rheumatology Research Center (DRFZ), an institute of the Leibniz Association, have identified that reactivation of a pre-existing, dormant infection with the Epstein-Barr virus triggers an excessive inflammatory response. The researchers have detailed their findings in an article in Nature.* These insights open the door to new treatment methods, potentially not limited to MIS-C.
The majority of children ...
QIA researchers create first Operating System for Quantum Networks
2025-03-12
Delft, The Netherlands: Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) researchers at TU Delft, QuTech, University of Innsbruck, INRIA and CNRS recently announced the creation of the first operating system designed for quantum networks: QNodeOS. The research, published in Nature, marks a major step forward in transforming quantum networking from a theoretical concept to a practical technology that could revolutionize the future of the internet.
“The goal of our research is to bring quantum network technology to all. With QNodeOS we're taking a big step forward. We're making it possible – ...
How the brain uses ‘building blocks’ to navigate social interactions
2025-03-12
Our brains use basic ‘building blocks’ of information to keep track of how people interact, enabling us to navigate complex social interactions, finds a new study led by University College London (UCL) researchers.
For the study, published in Nature, the researchers scanned the brains of participants who were playing a simple game involving a teammate and two opponents, to see how their brains were able to keep track of information about the group of players.
The scientists found that rather ...
Want to preserve biodiversity? Go big, U-M researchers say
2025-03-12
ANN ARBOR—Large, undisturbed forests are better for harboring biodiversity than fragmented landscapes, according to University of Michigan research.
Ecologists agree that habitat loss and the fragmentation of forests reduces biodiversity in the remaining fragments. But ecologists don't agree whether it's better to focus on preserving many smaller, fragmented tracts of land or larger, continuous landscapes. The study, published in Nature and led by U-M ecologist Thiago Gonçalves-Souza, comes to a conclusion on the decades-long debate.
"Fragmentation is bad," said study author Nate Sanders, U-M professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. ...
Ultra-broadband photonic chip boosts optical signals
2025-03-12
Modern communication networks rely on optical signals to transfer vast amounts of data. But just like a weak radio signal, these optical signals need to be amplified to travel long distances without losing information. The most common amplifiers, erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), have served this purpose for decades, enabling longer transmission distances without the need for frequent signal regeneration. However, they operate within a limited spectral bandwidth, restricting the expansion of optical networks.
To meet the growing demand for high-speed data transmission, researchers have been seeking ways to develop more powerful, flexible, ...
Chinese scientists explain energy transfer mechanism in chloroplasts and its evolution
2025-03-12
A recent study by Chinese scientists has revealed the intricate molecular machinery driving energy exchange within chloroplasts, shedding light on a key event in the evolution of plant life. Led by FAN Minrui from the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research elucidates the structure and function of the ATP/ADP translocator—a crucial member of the nucleotide transporter (NTT) family of proteins—which facilitates the transfer of energy across chloroplast membranes.
Their findings were published online in ...
Exciting moments on the edge
2025-03-12
Scientists have long suspected that phosphorene nanoribbons (PNRs) – thin pieces of black phosphorus, only a few nanometres wide – might exhibit unique magnetic and semiconducting properties, but proving this has been difficult. In a recent study published in Nature, researchers focused on exploring the potential for magnetic and semiconducting characteristics of these nanoribbons. Using techniques such as ultrafast magneto-optical spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance they were able to demonstrate the magnetic behaviour of PNRs at room temperature, and show how these magnetic properties can interact with light.
The ...