Genetic material is constantly subjected to genotoxic insults and is critically dependent on DNA repair. Genome maintenance mechanisms differ in somatic and germ cells as the soma only requires maintenance during an individual's lifespan, while the germline indefinitely perpetuates its genetic information. DNA lesions are recognized and repaired by mechanistically highly diverse repair machineries. The DNA damage response impinges on a vast array of homeostatic processes and can ultimately result in cell fate changes such as apoptosis or cellular senescence. DNA damage causally contributes to the aging process and aging-associated diseases, most prominently cancer. By causing mutations, DNA damage in germ cells can lead to genetic diseases and impact the evolutionary trajectory of a species. The mechanisms ensuring tight control of germline DNA repair could be highly instructive in defining strategies for improved somatic DNA repair. They may provide future interventions to maintain health and prevent disease during aging.

中文翻译：

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体细胞和生殖衰老中的基因组不稳定性和 DNA 修复

遗传物质不断遭受基因毒性损伤，并且严重依赖 DNA 修复。体细胞和生殖细胞的基因组维护机制不同，因为体细胞只需要在个体的一生中进行维护，而生殖细胞则无限期地延续其遗传信息。 DNA 损伤可通过机制上高度多样化的修复机制来识别和修复。 DNA 损伤反应会影响大量的稳态过程，并最终导致细胞命运的变化，例如细胞凋亡或细胞衰老。 DNA 损伤会导致衰老过程和衰老相关疾病，尤其是癌症。通过引起突变，生殖细胞中的 DNA 损伤可能导致遗传疾病并影响物种的进化轨迹。确保严格控制种系 DNA 修复的机制对于确定改善体细胞 DNA 修复的策略具有很大的指导意义。它们可能会提供未来的干预措施，以在衰老过程中保持健康和预防疾病。