Background: DNA alkyltransferases repair mutagenic and carcinogenic alkylation DNA lesions. Results: A thermophilic archaeal DNA alkyltransferase is degraded after alkylation in vivo. A novel assay is applied to study its activity in vitro. Conclusion: The archaeal DNA alkyltransferase shows structure, activity, and in vivo regulation similar to its human homolog. Significance: The function and regulation of DNA alkyltransferases might be conserved from archaea to humans.

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