title: RecQ helicases and cellular responses to DNA damage.
abstract: The faithful replication of the genome is essential for the survival of all organisms. It is not surprising therefore that numerous mechanisms have evolved to ensure that duplication of the genome occurs with only minimal risk of mutation induction. One mechanism of genome destabilization is replication fork demise, which can occur when a translocating fork meets a lesion or adduct in the template. Indeed, the collapse of replication forks has been suggested to occur in every replicative cell cycle making this a potentially significant problem for all proliferating cells. The RecQ helicases, which are essential for the maintenance of genome stability, are thought to function during DNA replication. In particular, RecQ helicase mutants display replication defects and have phenotypes consistent with an inability to efficiently reinitiate replication following replication fork demise. Here, we review some current models for how replication fork repair might be effected, and discuss potential roles for RecQ helicases in this process.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Laboratories, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Hickson
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004261:DNA Replication; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D053484:RecQ Helicases; D015003:Yeasts / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; C506725:RECQL protein, human; D004265:DNA Helicases; D053484:RecQ Helicases