Determination of how APE1 protects the digestive tract from DNA damage initiated by commensal bacteria

Our project focuses on apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1), a multifunctional protein that regulates stress induced by carcinogenic infections. We developed a hypomorphic (HM) mouse that has facilitated studies of APE1 function throughout the body. The major finding is that the digestive tract is particularly susceptible to DNA damage when APE1 is compromised. The broad objective of this grant is to define how APE1 protects the digestive tract from DNA damage initiated by comensal bacteria

本项目聚焦于脱嘌呤/脱嘧啶核酸内切酶（apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease, APE1）——一种可调控致癌性感染诱导应激反应的多功能蛋白质。我们构建了低功能突变（hypomorphic, HM）小鼠模型，该模型为体内APE1功能的相关研究提供了便利。核心研究发现为：当APE1功能受损时，消化道尤其易受DNA损伤。本资助项目的总体目标为阐明APE1如何保护消化道免受共生细菌引发的DNA损伤。