Korean researchers have discovered an enzyme protein that restores DNA damaged by radiation.

A team led by Professor Choi Cheol-yong at Sungkyunkwan University said it found that the protein kinase HIPK2 restores damaged DNA into their original state.

When researchers applied radioactive rays to mice deprived of the HIPK2 enzyme gene, seven out of eight died within 42 days. All the mice that had the enzyme survived.

The team expects the finding to help reduce side effects in radiation-based cancer treatment.

The study is published in the Friday edition of the international journal Molecular Cell.