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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Analysis of DNA Double-strand Break (DSB) Repair in Mammalian Cells
Published on: September 8, 2010
DNA double-strand break repair and development
1Department Genetics and Tumor Cell Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
Abstract:
Normal development of an organism requires the ability to respond to DNA damage. A particularly deleterious lesion is a DNA double-strand break (DSB). The cellular response to DNA DSBs occurs via an integrated sensing and signaling network that maintains genomic stability. The outcomes of defective DNA DSB repair are related to the developmental stage of an organism, and often show striking tissue specificity. Many human diseases are associated with deficiencies in DNA DSB repair and can be characterized by neuropathology, immune deficiency, growth retardation or predisposition to cancer. This review will focus on the requirements of the DNA DSB response that function to maintain homeostasis during mammalian development.
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