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The ATM-mediated DNA-damage response: taking shape

Yosef Shiloh1

  • 1The David and Inez Myers Laboratory for Genetic Research, Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. yossih@post.tau.ac.il

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|June 16, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Cellular responses to DNA damage are vital for preventing cancer. New insights into the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cellular responses to DNA damage are critical for homeostasis and cancer prevention.
  • The DNA-damage response (DDR) is a complex signaling network, not just DNA repair.
  • Defects in DDR lead to genomic instability syndromes, predisposing individuals to cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) in the DNA-damage response.
  • To explore the signaling network initiated by double-strand breaks (DSBs).
  • To understand recent advancements in ATM-mediated DSB signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic studies of ATM.
  • Biochemical analyses of ATM function.
  • Structural studies of ATM and its interactions.

Main Results:

  • Recent genetic, biochemical, and structural studies have elucidated the ATM-mediated DSB response.
  • New insights have reshaped the understanding of this critical signaling pathway.
  • The findings raise novel questions regarding the intricacies of DNA-damage signaling.

Conclusions:

  • The ATM protein is a key transducer of the DNA double-strand break signal.
  • Understanding the ATM pathway is crucial for comprehending genomic stability.
  • Further research is needed to address emerging questions in DNA-damage response signaling.

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