Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 5, 2026
07:55
Visualization of DNA Repair Proteins Interaction by Immunofluorescence
Published on: June 26, 2020
11.3K
RAD51 interconnects between DNA replication, DNA repair and immunity.
Souparno Bhattacharya1, Kalayarasan Srinivasan1, Salim Abdisalaam1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Nucleic Acids Research
|March 24, 2017
Summary
RAD51 protein deficiency causes self-DNA buildup, activating innate immunity. This reveals RAD51
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- RAD51 protein is crucial for DNA replication and repair.
- RAD51's role in cancer development is established.
- Its involvement in immune signaling was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the novel role of RAD51 in innate immune response signaling.
- To understand how RAD51 deficiency impacts DNA and immunity.
Main Methods:
- Studied the effects of RAD51 defects on DNA accumulation and immune activation.
- Investigated the STING-mediated pathway triggered by replication stress.
Main Results:
- RAD51 deficiency leads to cytoplasmic self-DNA accumulation.
- This accumulation triggers a STING-mediated innate immune response.
- MRE11 exonuclease activity contributes to DNA fragmentation and immune activation.
Conclusions:
- RAD51 suppresses innate immunity by preventing self-DNA accumulation.
- RAD51 connects DNA replication, repair, and immune signaling pathways.
Related Concept Videos
02:31Homologous Recombination
64.6K
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
64.6K
02:31Homologous Recombination
7.1K
7.1K
01:02The DNA Replication Fork
41.8K
An organism’s genome needs to be duplicated in an efficient and error-free manner for its growth and survival. The replication fork is a Y-shaped active region where two strands of DNA are separated and replicated continuously. The coupling of DNA unzipping and complementary strand synthesis is a characteristic feature of a replication fork. Organisms with small circular DNA, such as E. coli, often have a single origin of replication; therefore, they have only two replication...
41.8K
01:02The DNA Replication Fork
19.0K
19.0K
02:36DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
10.3K
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
10.3K
02:36DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
3.3K
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
3.3K