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  1. Scientists Discover DNA "Damage-Up" Proteins

    Taking on a new approach to understanding the connections between cellular growth and cancer, a collaborative research group led by researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine have identified proteins in the bacteria E. Coli that, when overproduced, can cause DNA mutation and damage to E. coli cells. These “damage-up” proteins (or DDPs) are a wide and varied network of proteins with a stronger link to cancer than other observed sets of proteins. The researchers have also found 284 DDP relatives among human proteins.

    The paper, “Bacteria-to-Human Protein Networks Reveal Origins of Endogenous DNA Damage” is published in Cell, and discusses the DDP mechanisms and potential links to cancer development and cellular evolution.

    A press release is available through Science Daily.

    The team conducting the study included cancer researchers, cell biologists, and astrobiologists. The results help to expand knowledge in cancer research and clinical studies, in addition to cell biology and evolution.

    Source: [Cell (via UIUC)]