DNA lesions and DNA damage response: even long lasting relationships need a "break"

The elucidation of the spatiotemporal map of the DNA damage response (DDR) has been critical to our understanding of how cells are protected against insults to genomic integrity. Recruitment and transient immobilization at DNA breaks is a typical characteristic of many DDR proteins. Here, I discuss evidence that stable association of DDR proteins with chromatin is sufficient to activate the DDR even in the absence of damage. These observations critically support the notion that nuclear repair compartments play a primary role in triggering and amplifying DDR.