DNA glycosylases play a key role in repairing single base damage to DNA [3]; damage that can be caused by oxidation, alkylation, and deamination of DNA bases. These enzymes recognise and excise damaged bases and initiate accurate repair. DNA glycosylases are therefore crucial for maintaining genome integrity, but they also have recognised roles in processes that are associated with innate and adaptive immunity [1-2], the control of DNA methylation and epigenetic stability [4].

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4. Pan L, Zhu B, Hao W, Zeng X, Vlahopoulos SA, Hazra TK, Hegde ML, Radak Z, Bacsi A, Brasier AR et al.. (2016) Oxidized Guanine Base Lesions Function in 8-Oxoguanine DNA Glycosylase-1-mediated Epigenetic Regulation of Nuclear Factor κB-driven Gene Expression. J Biol Chem, 291 (49): 25553-25566. [PMID:27756845]