DNA Repair: The Search for Homology. (30th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haber, James E.
• Is Part Of: BioEssays. Volume 40:Number 5(2018:May)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-03-30
• Subjects: double‐strand break repair -- DNA strand invasion -- homologous recombination -- Rad51/RecA -- search for homology; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1002/bies.201700229
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-9247

Abstract

Abstract : The repair of chromosomal double‐strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination is essential to maintain genome integrity. The key step in DSB repair is the RecA/Rad51‐mediated process to match sequences at the broken end to homologous donor sequences that can be used as a template to repair the lesion. Here, in reviewing research about DSB repair, I consider the many factors that appear to play important roles in the successful search for homology by several homologous recombination mechanisms. See also the video abstract here:https://youtu.be/vm7-X5uIzS8 . Abstract : The key step in repairing a double‐strand DNA break in a chromosome is finding an homologous segment that can be used as a template to repair the break. The search for homology is carried out by a Rad51 nucleoprotein filament (spheres) that forms on single‐stranded DNA that is revealed by resection of the broken ends. The pairing with a sequence homologous to the single‐strand (black) is governed by many factors, reviewed in this article. Illustrated is the importance of proximity of such sequences in the nucleus when there is a choice of possible donor sequences.