David M.J. Lilley - Böcker

In recent years, unprecedented advances in many aspects of the molecular biology of nucleic acids have been witnessed. The area of RNA chemistry has undergone some kind of boom, with a huge interest in RNA-mediated catalysis. At the same time, our structural understanding of DNA-protein interactions has increased enormously, and the related area of RNA-protein interactions is beginning to gather pace. This softcover edition from the "Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology" series, is devoted to the structure and mechanism of ribozymes, and their potential exploitation. The subject has both important evolutionary implications and potential practical application in the development of therapeutic agents for diseases such as AIDS.

DNA is the central repository of genetic information in the cell, yet it is under constant attack by chemical mutagens, radiation and other processes. Cells therefore put a great deal of resources into repairing any damage to this precious store. Mechanisms of DNA repair vary greatly in their level of complexity, from specific reversal mechanisms that involve a single protein, to sequential pathways that require many enzymes. But at the heart of all these mechanisms lie proteins that recognize damage to DNA, raising important questions about how damaged DNA may be distinguished. These recognition processes are now finally yielding their secrets to structural analysis. This volume focuses on DNA repair, with an emphasis on structural data where available.