title: Repairing breaks in the plant genome: the importance of keeping it together.
abstract: DNA damage threatens the integrity of the genome and has potentially lethal consequences for the organism. Plant DNA is under continuous assault from endogenous and environmental factors and effective detection and repair of DNA damage are essential to ensure the stability of the genome. One of the most cytotoxic forms of DNA damage are DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) which fragment chromosomes. Failure to repair DSBs results in loss of large amounts of genetic information which, following cell division, severely compromises daughter cells that receive fragmented chromosomes. This review will survey recent advances in our understanding of plant responses to chromosomal breaks, including the sources of DNA damage, the detection and signalling of DSBs, mechanisms of DSB repair, the role of chromatin structure in repair, DNA damage signalling and the link between plant recombination pathways and transgene integration. These mechanisms are of critical importance for maintenance of plant genome stability and integrity under stress conditions and provide potential targets for the improvement of crop plants both for stress resistance and for increased precision in the generation of genetically improved varieties.
authors: Centre for Plant Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
authors: Wanda M
authors: WM
authors: Waterworth
authors: Centre for Plant Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
authors: Georgina E
authors: GE
authors: Drury
authors: Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
authors: Clifford M
authors: CM
authors: Bray
authors: Centre for Plant Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
authors: Christopher E
authors: CE
authors: West
mesh_terms: D053903:DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000235:genetics*; D018745:Genome, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D063245:Plant Development; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens