  This paper proposes that eukaryotic cells, under severe genotoxic stress, can
commit genoautotomy (genome 'self-injury') that involves cutting and releasing
single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) fragments from double-stranded DNA and leaving
ssDNA gaps in the genome. The ssDNA gaps could be easily and precisely repaired
later. The released ssDNA fragments may play some role in the regulation of
cell cycle progression. Taken together, genoautotomy causes limited nonlethal
DNA damage, but prevents the whole genome from lethal damage, and thus should
be deemed as a eukaryotic cellular defence response to genotoxic stress.
