Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

[Non-homologous DNA end joining].

Tomasz Popławski1, Janusz Błasiak

  • 1Katedra Genetyki Molekularnej, Uniwersytet Lódzki, Lódź.

Postepy Biochemii
|December 31, 2005
PubMed
Summary

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are severe DNA damage. This review details the mechanisms and regulation of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair in mammalian cells, a key pathway for maintaining genome stability.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Sirtuins at the Interface of Glucose Metabolism, Diabetes, and Heart Failure: Metabolic Sensing in Cardiometabolic Disease.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Copper metallodendrimers effectively deliver proapoptotic siRNA to human liver carcinoma HepG2 cells.

International journal of pharmaceutics·2026
Same author

Retraction Note: 2-Hydroxylethyl methacrylate (HEMA), a tooth restoration component, exerts its genotoxic effects in human gingival fibroblasts trough methacrylic acid, an immediate product of its degradation.

Molecular biology reports·2026
Same author

Biomarkers for Treatment Response in Orthodontics: Molecular Mechanisms, Clinical Utility, and Future Directions.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Migraine with Focal Cortical Dysplasia: A Case Report.

Neurology international·2026
Same author

Sirtuin 1 is a key molecular link between cellular senescence and heart failure.

Frontiers in molecular medicine·2026

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) represent the most critical form of DNA damage.
  • DSB repair is essential for preventing genomic instability, including chromosomal fragmentation, translocations, and deletions.
  • Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is a primary pathway for DSB repair in human cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the intricate mechanisms of DSB repair via NHEJ in mammalian cells.
  • To elucidate the regulatory networks governing the NHEJ pathway.
  • To highlight the role of NHEJ in maintaining genome integrity and its implications in processes like V(D)J recombination.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of molecular mechanisms.
  • Analysis of protein components involved in NHEJ.
  • Discussion of regulatory factors influencing NHEJ pathway fidelity and efficiency.

Main Results:

  • NHEJ directly joins DNA ends, often with minimal sequence homology, but utilizes microhomology in specific overhang configurations.
  • The NHEJ pathway is characterized by its inherent imprecision, which is advantageous for immune system diversification through V(D)J recombination.
  • Key molecular players in eukaryotic NHEJ include DNA-protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), Ku proteins, XRCC4, DNA ligase IV, and Artemis.

Conclusions:

  • NHEJ is a critical, albeit sometimes imprecise, pathway for repairing DNA double-strand breaks in mammalian cells.
  • Understanding NHEJ mechanisms and regulation is vital for comprehending genome stability and developing therapeutic strategies.
  • The interplay of NHEJ components ensures efficient repair, with implications for both normal cellular function and disease pathogenesis.

Related Experiment Videos