ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the DNA Repair and damages during aging. A DNA glycosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the N-glycosylic bonds linking bases to the deoxyribose-phosphate backbone, leaving a base-free site. One class of endonucleases recognizes conformational distortions of the DNA by many other damages. During the process of nucleotide excision repair, there is an increase followed by a subsequent decrease in the number of single-strand nicks in cellular DNA. Aging hypotheses assume that the accumulation of DNA damage result in strand breaks. DNA repair certainly is a longevity determinant strategy, therefore it would be a very promising project to search for intervention strategies in this field. Chromosomal aberrations can be formed "spontaneously" by the action of endogenous causes and they can be induced by DNA damaging agents. The complex multienzyme system for excision repair can only be induced by genotoxic agents causing DNA damage. Aging hypotheses assume that the accumulation of DNA damage result in strand breaks.
