The biochemistry and biological significance of nonhomologous DNA end joining: an essential repair process in multicellular eukaryotes

Genes Cells. 1999 Feb;4(2):77-85. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2443.1999.00245.x.

Abstract

Recent progress over the past year has provided new insights into the proteins involved in nonhomologous end joining. The assembly of Ku and DNA-dependent protein kinase at DNA ends is now understood in greater detail. Murine genetic knockouts for DNA ligase IV and XRCC4 are embryonic lethal, indicating that nonhomologous end joining is essential for viability. Interestingly, neurones, in addition to lymphocytes, are particularly vulnerable to an absence of NHEJ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Nuclear*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Helicases*
  • DNA Ligase ATP
  • DNA Ligases / genetics
  • DNA Ligases / metabolism
  • DNA-Activated Protein Kinase
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Eukaryotic Cells / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Ku Autoantigen
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Nuclear
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • LIG4 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • XRCC4 protein, human
  • DNA
  • DNA-Activated Protein Kinase
  • PRKDC protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • DNA Helicases
  • XRCC5 protein, human
  • Xrcc6 protein, human
  • Xrcc6 protein, mouse
  • Ku Autoantigen
  • DNA Ligases
  • DNA Ligase ATP