The base excision repair pathway is responsible for repairing small DNA base lesions caused by endogenous and exogenous damaging agents. Repair is initiated by DNA glycosylases that recognize and remove the lesions. NEIL3 is one of 11 mammalian DNA glycosylases identified to date and it was discovered on the basis of sequence homology to the E. coli Fpg and Nei glycosylases. Difficulties in purifying the protein have limited its biochemical characterization and in contrast to the other glycosylases, its function remains unclear.
Centre for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. gunn.hildrestrand@rr-research.no
