Non-homologous end-joining, a sticky affair

DC Van Gent, M Van Der Burg - Oncogene, 2007 - nature.com
DC Van Gent, M Van Der Burg
Oncogene, 2007nature.com
Rejoining of broken chromosomes is crucial for cell survival and prevention of malignant
transformation. Most mammalian cells rely primarily on the non-homologous end-joining
pathway of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair to accomplish this task. This review
focuses both on the core non-homologous end-joining machinery, which consists of DNA-
dependent protein kinase and the ligase IV/XRCC4 complex, and on accessory factors that
facilitate rejoining of a subset of the DSBs. We discuss how the ATM protein kinase and the …
Abstract
Rejoining of broken chromosomes is crucial for cell survival and prevention of malignant transformation. Most mammalian cells rely primarily on the non-homologous end-joining pathway of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair to accomplish this task. This review focuses both on the core non-homologous end-joining machinery, which consists of DNA-dependent protein kinase and the ligase IV/XRCC4 complex, and on accessory factors that facilitate rejoining of a subset of the DSBs. We discuss how the ATM protein kinase and the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 complex might function in DSB repair and what role ionizing radiation-induced foci may play in this process.
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