Light-induced DNA damage and photoreactivating enzyme

Abstract

Large amount of information saved in DNA is protected by various DNA repair systems in living cells. Photoreactivating enzyme repairs UV-induced pyrimidine dimers by using the energy of blue light. This enzyme has two different light-absorbing elements, one of which is common in various organisms, a reduced FAD. Extensive homology among amino acid sequences of the enzymes from various organisms indicates the ancient origin of this DNA repair system.