Scientists Find New Way Cells Fix Broken DNA

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered how cells repair broken DNA using special chemicals. The research team found that a chemical called alpha-ketoglutarate helps cells make another substance called carnitine. This carnitine then helps fix damaged DNA by working with proteins called histones. The discovery could lead to better cancer treatments in the future.

DNA damage happens all the time in our bodies from things like sunlight and pollution. Our cells have special systems to fix this damage quickly and correctly. When DNA repair does not work properly, cells can become cancerous and cause serious health problems. Scientists have been trying to understand exactly how this repair process works for many years.

The research team used cancer cells grown in laboratory dishes to test their ideas. They also did experiments with mice to see if their discoveries worked in living animals. The scientists found that blocking alpha-ketoglutarate made cells much worse at fixing their DNA. When they added carnitine back to the cells, the DNA repair improved again.

This discovery is exciting because many cancer drugs work by damaging DNA in cancer cells. Sometimes cancer cells become too good at repairing themselves, making the treatments less effective. If doctors could block the repair chemicals, cancer treatments might work much better. The research could help millions of people with cancer around the world.