Team effort reveals cells reshape their nucleus to repair DNA: Interview with the Mekhail Lab

A new study from the lab of Dr. Karim Mekhail, entitled “DNA double-strand break-capturing nuclear envelope tubules drive DNA repair” and published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, will fundamentally change how we look at DNA repair. 🧬
This new study reveals an intricate mechanism that human cells utilize to repair highly toxic DNA lesions called DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The research uncovers that, following DNA damage, the nuclear envelope projects long tubules that infiltrate the nucleus, capturing and repairing damaged DNA. “Think of it as the nuclear envelope growing long finger-like structures that help ‘tie’ pieces of broken DNA together, akin to tying our shoelaces,” explained Mekhail. Unusually high levels of DNA damage characterize cancer cells, so they are highly dependent on these tubules - they constantly need to be repaired to stay alive and grow. The research also has implications in aging and other diseases.
We interviewed the LMP co-authors: postdoctoral researcher Dr. Mia Stanic, PhD candidate Mitra Shokrollahi and graduate student Anisha Hundal about what it was like being involved in this project. Watch their full interview!
🔗Read the full story: lmp.utoronto.c...
Read the paper in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology: www.nature.com...
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