Homologous recombination and the repair of DNA double-strand breaks

Homologous recombination enables the cell to access and copy intact DNA sequence information in trans, particularly to repair DNA damage affecting both strands of the double helix. Here, we discuss the DNA transactions and enzymatic activities required for this elegantly orchestrated process in the context of the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in somatic cells. This includes homology search, DNA strand invasion, repair DNA synthesis, and restoration of intact chromosomes. Aspects of DNA topology affecting individual steps are highlighted. Overall, recombination is a dynamic pathway with multiple metastable and reversible intermediates designed to achieve DNA repair with high fidelity.

• Publication year

  2018

• Venue

  Journal of Biological Chemistry

• Publication date

  2018-03-29

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine, Chemistry

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1074/jbc.TM118.000372PMID 29599286PMCID PMC6036207
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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