Unveiling the 'Exclusome': A Cellular Defense Shield for the Genome
Scientists have discovered a new mini-organ in mammal cells called an "exclusome" that traps and encloses free-floating DNA in the cytoplasm, away from the nucleus. This newfound structure may serve as a defense system for the genome and could be a relic from early eukaryotic cells. The exclusome resembles the nucleus in some ways but lacks certain elements. Understanding how cells respond to DNA outside of chromosomes could provide insights into cancer development and autoimmune diseases.