title: The mammalian XRCC genes: their roles in DNA repair and genetic stability.
abstract: Analysis of the XRCC genes has played an important part in understanding mammalian DNA repair processes, especially those involved in double-strand break (DSB) repair. Most of these genes were identified through their ability to correct DNA damage hypersensitivity in rodent cell lines, and they represent components of several different repair pathways including base-excision repair, non-homologous end joining, and homologous recombination. We document the phenotypic effects of mutation of the XRCC genes, and the current state of our knowledge of their functions. In addition to their continuing importance in discovering mechanisms of DNA repair, analysis of the XRCC genes is making a substantial contribution to the understanding of specific human disorders, including cancer.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council, Radiation and Genome Stability Unit, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RD, UK. j.thacker@har.mrc.ac.uk
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: Małgorzata Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Zdzienicka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000072481:DNA Ligase ATP; D011088:DNA Ligases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D051747:DNA-Activated Protein Kinase; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C448305:RAD51C protein, human; D051747:DNA-Activated Protein Kinase; C497263:PRKDC protein, human; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D011088:DNA Ligases; D000072481:DNA Ligase ATP