TOWARDS A NEW BIO-QUANTUM MODEL FOR SIGNALING AND REPAIR OF DNA DAMAGE

The mechanisms by which eukaryotic cells perceive and recognize breaks in DNA strands have not yet been elucidated. The rapid induction of ATM kinase activity immediately after exposure to ionizing radiation suggests that radiation acts at a previous stage of signal transduction. Former studies suggest that activation of ATM does not need a direct link with DNA strands damages (ATM is located outside the nucleus). But some questions remained open, as for example, how the ATM perceives the break? How proteins like ATM respond coordinately recognizing several DNA double strand breaks (DSB) inserted in a universe of 3 billion base pairs? Which factors determine the high response rate and extent of the ATM? In this work we propose an original model for the signaling mechanism of the ATM kinase, as well as for the recognition of DSBs embedded in a genome of billions of base pairs. It is envisaged that this also could give satisfactory answers to some of the key issues mentioned above. It will be proposed and worked out a model for signaling between DNA and repair proteins, based upon already established concepts related to the existence of solitons in macromolecules and cells. It will be incorporated to the model a quantum-coherent effect known as free water dipole laser, which is expected to explain how the ATM (a "molecular motor") delineates its navigation route toward the DNA damaged site. Preliminary experimental evidences obtained by our group, as the likely electric character of DNA-repair mechanism, will be reinterpreted.