MutLalpha: at the cutting edge of mismatch repair

Cell. 2006 Jul 28;126(2):239-41. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.07.003.

Abstract

The mismatch repair process corrects errors in newly synthesized DNA. In this issue, Modrich and colleagues (Kadyrov et al., 2006) show that a component of the human mismatch repair machinery, MutLalpha, has endonuclease activity. MutLalpha introduces single-strand breaks near the mismatch and thus generates new entry points for the exonuclease EXOI to degrade the strand containing the mismatch.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Base Pair Mismatch*
  • Binding Sites
  • DNA Repair*
  • Exodeoxyribonucleases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein / chemistry
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein / genetics
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Exodeoxyribonucleases
  • exodeoxyribonuclease I
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein