DETECTION OF CELLULAR OR DNA DAMAGE BASED UPON HR23 PROTEIN BINDING MOLECULES

摘要

The invention provides a method for determining whether an agent is capable of inducing a DNA lesion in a eukaryotic cell, comprising: - exposing at least one eukaryotic cell to said agent, and - determining whether a HR23 protein binding molecule accumulates within said cell. It is preferably determined whether xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein (XPC), 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase (MAG), CREB, p53, or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof, accumulates in the nucleus of said cell. Preferably, said cell is overexpressing a HR23A and/or HR23B protein. With a method of the invention, a rapid and sensitive test is provided with significant advantages over the widely used Ames test. The invention also provides a method for determining whether an agent is capable of at least in part inhibiting a cellular process, said process resulting in accumulation of HR23 protein binding molecule within a cell, comprising exposing a eukaryotic cell to said agent, and determining whether a HR23 protein binding molecule such as XPC, MAG, CREB and/or p53 accumulates within said cell. A method for determining whether a cell has an impaired DNA repair system is also provided. An impaired DNA repair system is indicative for diseases such as xeroderma pigmentosum, cockayne syndrome, and/or trichothiodystrophy.