DNA repair protein gene gone rogue may unlock new cancer treatments

DNA repair protein gene gone rogue may unlock new cancer treatments

When it comes to cancer, tumor suppressor genes are usually thought of as the "good guys." These genes make proteins that protect and repair DNA in cells. If they stop functioning or there's not enough, cancer risk goes up. But there can be too much of a good thing: when cells overexpress the gene EXO1—meaning that they make more of the protein than they should—it can degrade the DNA it's supposed to repair. This causes damage that can disrupt t…