DNA double strand breaks represent the most threatening lesion to the integrity of the genome in cells exposed to ionizing radiation and radiomimetic chemicals. Those breaks are recognized, signaled to cell cycle checkpoints and repaired by protein complexes.

Pathology

 Anomalies in DNA double strand breaks repair can cause several human diseases:

• ATM and Ataxia telangiectasia
• Nijmegen breakage syndrome
• Fanconi anemia

See also

 DNA double-strand breaks
 DNA repair
 DNA damage (DNA lesions)

References

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 Kobayashi J, Antoccia A, Tauchi H, Matsuura S, Komatsu K. NBS1 and its functional role in the DNA damage response. DNA Repair (Amst). 2004 Aug-Sep;3(8-9):855-61. PMID: #15279770#

 Matsuura S, Kobayashi J, Tauchi H, Komatsu K. Nijmegen breakage syndrome and DNA double strand break repair by NBS1 complex. Adv Biophys. 2004;38:65-80. PMID: #15493328#

 Valerie K, Povirk LF. Regulation and mechanisms of mammalian double-strand break repair. Oncogene. 2003 Sep 1;22(37):5792-812. PMID: #12947387#

 Petrini JH, Stracker TH. The cellular response to DNA double-strand breaks : defining the sensors and mediators. Trends Cell Biol. 2003 Sep ;13(9):458-62. PMID : #12946624#

 Pierce AJ, Stark JM, Araujo FD, Moynahan ME, Berwick M, Jasin M. Double-strand breaks and tumorigenesis. Trends Cell Biol. 2001 Nov;11(11):S52-9. PMID: #11684443#

 Aguilera A. Double-strand break repair: are Rad51/RecA--DNA joints barriers to DNA replication? Trends Genet. 2001 Jun;17(6):318-21. PMID: #11377793#

 Haber JE. Partners and pathways repairing a double-strand break. Trends Genet. 2000 Jun;16(6):259-64. PMID: #10827453#