Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cellular and Protein Engineering to Control Biological Functions and Develop Novel Therapies
Published on: September 27, 2024
Holliday junction processing enzymes as guardians of genome stability
Shriparna Sarbajna1, Stephen C West1
1London Research Institute, Cancer Research UK, Clare Hall Laboratories, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, EN6 3LD, UK.
None:
Holliday junctions (HJs) are four-stranded DNA intermediates that arise during the recombinational repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Their timely removal is crucial for faithful chromosome segregation and genome stability. In mammalian cells, HJs are processed by the BTR (BLM-topoisomerase IIIα-RMI1-RMI2) complex, the SLX-MUS (SLX1-SLX4-MUS81-EME1) complex, and the GEN1 resolvase. Recent studies have linked the deficiency of one or more of these enzymes to perturbed DNA replication, impaired crosslink repair, chromosomal instability, and defective mitoses, coupled with the transmission of widespread DNA damage and high levels of mortality. We review these key advances and how they have cemented the status of HJ-processing enzymes as guardians of genome integrity and viability in mammalian cells.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Enzymes
Enzyme deficiencies can often translate into life-threatening diseases. For example, a genetic abnormality resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme G6PD...
Genomics
Enzyme Kinetics
Scientists typically study enzyme kinetics with a fixed amount of enzyme in the controlled environment of a test tube. When more reactant, or substrate, is...
Nuclear Stability
To hold positively charged protons together...
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
Gene Conversion

