Genetics and biochemistry of DNA repair in Neurospora crassa. Progress report

Conference · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5944740

Mishra, N. C.

Mutants of Neurospora, presumably defective for deoxyribonuclease and DNA polymerase are being biochemically characterized and compared with the wild type enzyme to establish which enzymes control a particular function in DNA repair and other aspects of DNA biosynthesis. After biochemical characterization, these mutants will be also examined for their ability to repair damage caused by exposure to radiation, radiomimetic drugs and carcinogens. Also, a number of Neurospora mutants which are known to be sensitive to uv radiation or to MMS (methyl methane sulfonate) or to histidine or defective in recombination are being characterized for DNA polymerases and nucleases to elucidate the biochemical basis of these defects. These studies will provide a detailed knowledge of the different aspects of DNA repair and the role of the key enzymes therein. The results of present studies involving a eukaryote can be meaningfully generalized for similar studies in humans. Efficient DNA repair in man is necessary for the maintenance of normal growth and for exposure to the sunlight and to various radiomimetic chemicals present in our environment. Due to the introduction of various chemicals in our environment, there is increased risk of damage to our own genetic material (including that of our crop and cattle) and the outcome of the proposed study may provide a meaningful insight into these problems.

• Research Organization: South Carolina Univ., Columbia (USA). Dept. of Biology
• OSTI ID: 5944740
• Report Number(s): DOE/EV/01071-1; CONF-791026-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550400 -- Genetics
550700 -- Microbiology
560112* -- Radiation Effects on Biochemicals-- In Microorganisms-- (-1987)
560131 -- Radiation Effects on Microorganisms-- Basic Studies-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BIOLOGICAL REPAIR
BIOLOGY
CARCINOGENS
CHEMISTRY
DNA
DRUGS
FUNGI
GENETICS
NEUROSPORA
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RECOVERY
REPAIR