DNA PHOTOLYASE Meaning and
Definition
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DNA photolyase is an enzyme that repairs DNA damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. It is a type of photoreactivation enzyme that specifically targets and repairs UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6-4 photoproducts, which are the most common types of DNA lesions formed upon exposure to UV radiation. The enzyme utilizes light energy to break the covalent bonds between the adjacent pyrimidine bases in the damaged DNA strand, hence restoring the integrity of the DNA molecule.
DNA photolyase belongs to a class of flavoproteins and contains a non-covalently bound flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as a cofactor. The FAD molecule absorbs light in the range of 350 to 450 nanometers, which is coincidentally the range of light that is often responsible for causing DNA damage. When activated by light, the FAD molecule undergoes a photochemical reaction that culminates in the transfer of its energy to the CPD or 6-4 photoproduct, allowing for the repair of these lesions.
This repair mechanism carried out by DNA photolyase is crucial for the preservation of genetic integrity in organisms exposed to UV radiation. By efficiently repairing DNA lesions induced by UV light, DNA photolyase helps prevent the accumulation of mutations in the genome, reducing the risk of diseases such as skin cancer and other UV-related disorders. Hence, DNA photolyase plays a pivotal role in maintaining the stability and functionality of the genetic blueprint in living organisms.
Common Misspellings for DNA PHOTOLYASE
- sna photolyase
- xna photolyase
- cna photolyase
- fna photolyase
- rna photolyase
- ena photolyase
- dba photolyase
- dma photolyase
- dja photolyase
- dha photolyase
- dnz photolyase
- dns photolyase
- dnw photolyase
- dnq photolyase
- dna ohotolyase
- dna lhotolyase
- dna -hotolyase
- dna 0hotolyase
- dna pgotolyase
- dna pbotolyase
Etymology of DNA PHOTOLYASE
The word "DNA photolyase" has a compound etymology consisting of two components:
1. DNA: The acronym DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid. The term was coined in 1869 by a Swiss-Swedish biochemist Friedrich Miescher, who discovered an acidic substance in the nuclei of white blood cells. Later, in 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double-helical structure of DNA, which revolutionized the understanding of heredity.
2. Photolyase: The term "photolyase" is derived from two Greek roots: "photo" meaning light and "lysis" meaning a breakdown or separation. Photolyases are enzymes that repair DNA damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation by using visible light as an energy source to break the covalent bonds in the damaged DNA.
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