DNA repair mechanisms in mammalian germ cells

Mammalian germ cells encounter several types of DNA damage. This damage is almost completely repaired in a short period of time to provide the maintenance of genomic integrity. The main repair mechanisms operating in mammalian germline cells are: nucleotide excision repair (NER), base excision repair (BER), mismatch repair (MMR), DNA double strand break repair (DSBR), and post replication repair (PRR). Currently, there are relatively few publications that summarize basic information and new findings on DNA repair mechanisms used in mammalian germ cells. In the present article, we review the studies that discuss repair mechanisms operating in the female and male germ cells. We then survey some of the recent discoveries made in this field.