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Neurodegenerative diseases

Origins of instability

Nature volume 411, pages 757–758 (2001)Cite this article

Errors in DNA replication are thought to underlie the lengthening of tracts of repeated DNA that occurs in some neurodegenerative diseases. But mechanisms for repairing damaged DNA may also be responsible.

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Figure 1: In one model for the production of unstable tracts of nucleotide repeats in cells that are not dividing, 'alternative' DNA structures are crucial.
Figure 2: A nick in DNA could promote the instability of tracts of nucleotide repeats.

Notes

  1. *Third International Conference on Unstable Microsatellites & Human Disease, Noordwijerhout, The Netherlands, 21–25 April 2001.

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  1. Center for Genome Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University System Health Sciences Center, 2121 West Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, 77030-3303, Texas, USA

    Richard R. Sinden

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  1. Richard R. Sinden
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Correspondence to Richard R. Sinden.

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Sinden, R. Origins of instability. Nature 411, 757–758 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35081234

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