DNA double-strand breaks, chromosomal rearrangements, and genomic instability.
DNA double-strand breaks can lead to chromosomal rearrangements at the first mitosis after exposure to the DNA strand-breaking agent. The evidence suggests a number of different pathways for DNA double-strand break rejoining in mammalian cells, but it is unclear what factors determine the fate of the induced break and whether or not it will lead to chromosomal rearrangement. If a cell does survive and proliferate after DNA cleavage, delayed chromosomal instability can be observed in the clonal descendants of the exposed cell. Most, but not all DNA double-strand breaking agents are effective at inducing this delayed chromosomal instability. In this paper, we review the evidence for the role of the DNA double-strand break in directly induced and delayed chromosomal rearrangements.
Morgan
W F
WF
Departments of Radiation Oncology and Radiology, Box 0750, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0750, USA. morgan@itsa.ucsf.edu
Corcoran
J
J
Hartmann
A
A
Kaplan
M I
MI
Limoli
C L
CL
Ponnaiya
B
B
D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D019457:Chromosome Breakage / Q000235:genetics*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics*; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000235:genetics; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D008322:Mammals
D004247:DNA; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes