title: Nucleases in homologous recombination as targets for cancer therapy.
abstract: Genomic DNA is constantly challenged from endogenous as well as exogenous sources. The DNA damage response (DDR) mechanism has evolved to combat these challenges and ensure genomic integrity. In this review, we will focus on repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) by homologous recombination and the role of several nucleases and other recombination factors as suitable targets for cancer therapy. Their inactivation as well as overexpression have been shown to sensitize cancer cells by increasing toxicity to DNA-damaging agents and radiation or to be responsible for resistance of cancer cells. These factors can also be used in targeted cancer therapy by taking advantage of specific genetic abnormalities of cancer cells that are not present in normal cells and that result in cancer cell lethality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A7, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Zdenka
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bartosova
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A7, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic; National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A7, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, Center for Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic. Electronic address: lkrejci@chemi.muni.cz.
authors.forename: Lumir
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krejci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045643:DNA Repair Enzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059765:Homologous Recombination; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D059767:Recombinational DNA Repair
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D045643:DNA Repair Enzymes
keywords: Cancer therapy; Genomic integrity; Homologous recombination; Inhibitor; Nuclease