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Review
. 2017 Jan 13:7:6.
doi: 10.1186/s13578-017-0136-8. eCollection 2017.

Microhomology-mediated end joining: new players join the team

Hailong Wang  1 , Xingzhi Xu  2
Affiliations
Review

Microhomology-mediated end joining: new players join the team

Hailong Wang et al. Cell Biosci. .

Abstract

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious type of DNA damage in cells arising from endogenous and exogenous attacks on the genomic DNA. Timely and properly repair of DSBs is important for genomic integrity and survival. MMEJ is an error-prone repair mechanism for DSBs, which relies on exposed microhomologous sequence flanking broken junction to fix DSBs in a Ku- and ligase IV-independent manner. Recently, significant progress has been made in MMEJ mechanism study. In this review, we will summarize its biochemical activities of several newly identified MMEJ factors and their biological significance.

Keywords: DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs); End resection; Microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ); Polθ; RPA.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Model for MMEJ mediated DSBs repair. The first step of MMEJ is 5′–3′ end resection to expose microhomologous region, which can then anneal each other to form an intermediate with 3′-flap and gaps. The following step is flap removal and gap filling. After that, MMEJ is completed by ligation
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Functions of RPA and its ssDNA binding defect mutant. Up arrow indicating function is efficient. Down arrow indicating function is deficient
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Domain structures of Polθ and its distinct functions. Polθ contain a N-terminal helicase like domain, a long central domian and a C-terminal polymerase domain. Polymerase domain mediates MMEJ. ATPase activity of helicase like domain and Rad51 binding motif in the central domain contribute to HR suppression
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