title: Microhomology-mediated end joining: new players join the team.
abstract: DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious type of DNA damage in cells arising from endogenous and exogenous attacks on the genomic DNA. Timely and properly repair of DSBs is important for genomic integrity and survival. MMEJ is an error-prone repair mechanism for DSBs, which relies on exposed microhomologous sequence flanking broken junction to fix DSBs in a Ku- and ligase IV-independent manner. Recently, significant progress has been made in MMEJ mechanism study. In this review, we will summarize its biochemical activities of several newly identified MMEJ factors and their biological significance.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of DNA Damage Response and College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048 China.
authors.forename: Hailong
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3751-3283
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of DNA Damage Response and College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048 China ; Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518060 Guangdong China.
authors.forename: Xingzhi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
keywords: DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs); End resection; Microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ); Polθ; RPA