ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling and DNA double-strand break repair

The repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is critical for the maintenance of genomic stability. Two pathways for the repair of DBSs, nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR), have evolved in eukaryotes. These pathways, like processes such as transcription and replication, act on DNA that is embedded in nucleosomes. Recent studies have shown that DNA repair, like transcription, is facilitated both by histone tail modification and by ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling. This review emphasizes recent reports that demonstrate a function for the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes INO80 and RSC in NHEJ and HR. We also discuss the possible role of SWR1- and TIP60-mediated nucleosomal histone exchange in DNA repair.