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Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Analysis of DNA Double-strand Break (DSB) Repair in Mammalian Cells
Published on: September 8, 2010
Smc5-Smc6 mediate DNA double-strand-break repair by promoting sister-chromatid recombination
Giacomo De Piccoli1, Felipe Cortes-Ledesma, Gregory Ira
1Cell Cycle Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
Abstract:
DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) can arise during DNA replication, or after exposure to DNA-damaging agents, and their correct repair is fundamental for cell survival and genomic stability. Here, we show that the Smc5-Smc6 complex is recruited to DSBs de novo to support their repair by homologous recombination between sister chromatids. In addition, we demonstrate that Smc5-Smc6 is necessary to suppress gross chromosomal rearrangements. Our findings show that the Smc5-Smc6 complex is essential for genome stability as it promotes repair of DSBs by error-free sister-chromatid recombination (SCR), thereby suppressing inappropriate non-sister recombination events.
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