APE1's Role in DNA Repair Could Influence Cancer Clinical Trials

Key Insights

• Researchers have elucidated the functional role of APE1, a protein crucial for initiating DNA damage repair, potentially impacting cancer survival rates.
• The study reveals APE1's function as a 'molecular switch' that activates ATM signaling to repair single-strand breaks (SSBs), which can lead to more severe DNA damage.
• A novel, highly purified plasmid DNA structure was developed, enabling the discovery of how APE1 directly activates ATM signaling for SSB repair.

Shan Yan and his research team at UNC Charlotte have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the function of APE1, a protein that initiates human DNA damage repair. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, could influence future cancer clinical trials by exploring therapeutic targeting of overactive APE1 to improve cancer survival rates.

Unveiling APE1's Function in DNA Repair

Yan's research focuses on DNA single-strand break (SSB) repair and signaling pathways. Unlike much of current cancer research that targets DNA double-strand breaks, which are lethal, Yan's work highlights that SSBs can precede more dangerous DNA damage. The study identifies APE1 as a critical "molecular switch" that activates a cell's repair mechanisms for SSB damage.

Technical Advancement and Discovery

Previously, the complex nature of APE1's function hindered research in this area. Yan's lab developed a novel, highly purified plasmid DNA structure, which enabled them to discover how APE1 directly activates ATM signaling to initiate the repair of single-strand breaks.

Impact on Cancer Research

The findings are expected to have a lasting impact on the field, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies that target APE1 to enhance DNA repair and improve cancer treatment outcomes. The research opens avenues for exploring whether targeting overactive APE1 could improve cancer survival rates.