Lack of a Histone Chemical Signal Impairs the Arresting of the Cell Cycle (IMAGE)

Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia

Lack of a Histone Chemical Signal Impairs the Arresting of the Cell Cycle

Caption

The tips of the chromosomes are protected by telomeres -- caps made up of protein and DNA. While broken chromosome ends generated by DNA damage (such as radiation or cigarette smoke) are quickly joined together, telomeres are never tied to each other. Miguel Godinho Ferreira and his team found that this is due to a protein neighboring the telomeres (Histone H4 in blue). This protein lacks a chemical signal that turns the DNA damage recognition machinery incapable of arresting the cell cycle.

Credit

Miguel Godinho Ferreira

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