Non-homologous end-joining, a sticky affair.
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.
van Gent
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Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. d.vangent@erasmusmc.nl
van der Burg
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M
D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D009687:Nuclear Proteins