title: Genome integrity, stem cells and hyaluronan.
abstract: Faithful preservation of genome integrity is the critical mission of stem cells as well as of germ cells. Reviewed are the following mechanisms involved in protecting DNA in these cells: (a) The efflux machinery that can pump out variety of genotoxins in ATP-dependent manner; (b) the mechanisms maintaining minimal metabolic activity which reduces generation of reactive oxidants, by-products of aerobic respiration; (c) the role of hypoxic niche of stem cells providing a gradient of variable oxygen tension; (d)(e) the presence of hyaluronan (HA) and HA receptors on stem cells and in the niche; (f) the role of role of HA in protecting DNA from oxidative damage; (g) the specific role of HA that may play a role protecting DNA in stem cells; (h) the interactions of HA with sperm cells and oocytes that also may shield their DNA from oxidative damage, and (e) mechanisms by which HA exerts the anti-oxidant activity. While HA has multitude of functions its anti-oxidant capabilities are often overlooked but may be of significance in preservation of integrity of stem and germ cells genome.
authors.affiliation: Brander Cancer Research Institute & Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA. darzynk@nymc.edu
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Darzynkiewicz
authors.forename: Endre A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Balazs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009153:Mutagens / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D055153:Stem Cell Niche / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D009153:Mutagens; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid