The Cockayne syndrome B protein: involvement in transcription-coupled DNA repair

Abstract

Each organism stores its genetic information in large DNA molecules, present in most cells. DNA is composed of four different nucleotides, abbreviated as G,A,T,and C, which make up the genetic code that is translated into proteins. An intermediate between DNA and protein is the RNA, that is generated by a process called transcription, during which one strand of the double DNA helix serves as a template and is read by a scanning RNA polymerase complex. As a result, a messenger RNA molecule is produced, that in turn forms a template for protein synthesis. It is of major importance that changes (mutations) in the genetic code of the DNA are limited to a minimum. Although mutations form the basis of biological diversity, they can also be the starting point of carcinogenesis in multicellular species. The genomic DNA is continuously challenged