DNA Nucleotide Damaged by Oxidation (IMAGE)

NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

DNA Nucleotide Damaged by Oxidation

Caption

After the DNA polymerase (gray molecule in background) inserts a damaged nucleotide into DNA, the damaged nucleotide is unable to bond with its undamaged partner. As a result, the damaged nucleotide swings freely within the DNA, interfering with the repair function or causing double-strand breaks. These steps may ultimately lead to several human diseases.

Credit

Bret Freudenthal, NIEHS

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