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Updated: May 14, 2026

Assessment of Global DNA Double-Strand End Resection using BrdU-DNA Labeling coupled with Cell Cycle Discrimination Imaging
Published on: April 28, 2021
End-resection at DNA double-strand breaks in the three domains of life
John K Blackwood1, Neil J Rzechorzek, Sian M Bray
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK.
Abstract:
During DNA repair by HR (homologous recombination), the ends of a DNA DSB (double-strand break) must be resected to generate single-stranded tails, which are required for strand invasion and exchange with homologous chromosomes. This 5'-3' end-resection of the DNA duplex is an essential process, conserved across all three domains of life: the bacteria, eukaryota and archaea. In the present review, we examine the numerous and redundant helicase and nuclease systems that function as the enzymatic analogues for this crucial process in the three major phylogenetic divisions.
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