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Nature 419, 120-121 (12 September 2002) | doi:10.1038/419120a

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DNA repair: Right on target with ubiquitin

Cecile M. Pickart

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Cellular DNA-repair mechanisms prevent mutations from accumulating, thereby averting defects in cell function. A molecule best known for its role in protein degradation is now shown to have a specific task in DNA repair.

The activity of many of the proteins in our cells depends on the chemical 'labels' that are attached to them. A commonly used label is the ubiquitin molecule, which regulates numerous cellular processes1.