Yolanda Valderrama Henao Med. Student UPB 000265534

A group of Swedish and Russian scientists led by Sergey Nikolaev, a geneticist at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, argue that the APOBEC protein that normally functions as a protective agent against viral infection takes advantage of a weakness in the process of DNA replication to enter mutations in the genome.

The protein APOBEC Takes advantage of the moment when the lagging strand remains single to mutations. In APOBEC cancers, mutations occur very early in the process of replication and affect important genes.

STUDENT OBSERVATION

I found very interesting that there are new studies on the process of replication and a protein that normally functions as a protective agent is now involved in this process causing cancer and DNA damage.

The scientists studied the proteins in yeast cells that has many characteristics with human cells, that providing a new vision of the replication process and when and how can go wrong.

One part of the helicase binds and releases energy from a molecule called ATP. It converts the chemical energy into a mechanical force that changes the shape of the helicase. After kicking out the spent ATP, the helicase complex goes back to its original shape so a new ATP molecule can come in and start the process again

STUDENT OBSERVATION

I agree with the scientists who believe that it is

important studying the details of the DNA replication because that can help to understand how errors occur in order to prevent it ensuring proper replication of the genome.

If we can understand the process of DNA replication we can intervene in copying errors that occur during replication guaranteeing the patient a better quality of life. With the discovery of new proteins that influence replication errors we can find ways to prevent this so we can fight cancers

These studies are made to support medicine and health patient and thanks to research of DNA replication we can fight diseases that historically have finished the lives of many people.