What are the Consequences of Unrepaired or Misrepaired DSBs?
If DSBs are not properly repaired, it can lead to severe consequences:
Genomic Instability: Unrepaired DSBs can result in chromosomal aberrations, translocations, and deletions, leading to genomic instability. Mutagenesis: Error-prone repair mechanisms like NHEJ can introduce mutations, contributing to cancer development. Cell Death: Extensive DNA damage can trigger apoptosis, a programmed cell death mechanism, to prevent the propagation of damaged cells.