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Updated: Jun 8, 2025

Laser Microirradiation to Study In Vivo Cellular Responses to Simple and Complex DNA Damage
Published on: January 31, 2018
The plant SMC5/6 complex: DNA repair, developmental regulation, and immune responses
Yan Zhao1, Jian Zhang1, Yiru Fang1
1College of Life Sciences & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China.
Abstract:
The Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes 5/6 (SMC5/6) complex plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the structural integrity and morphology of chromosomes, thereby contributing to genomic stability-a cornerstone for normal growth and development across organisms. Beyond its fundamental role in eukaryotic DNA damage repair, recent research has broadened our understanding of SMC5/6's multifaceted functions. It has emerged as a crucial regulator not only of the cell cycle but also in developmental processes, plant immunity, and meiotic DNA damage repair. In this review, we highlight its novel roles in modulating plant growth, development, and immunity, providing fresh perspectives on how this complex might help combat DNA damage stress and orchestrate growth strategies. Furthermore, we emphasize that SMC5/6 offers a unique window into the intricate mechanisms underlying genomic maintenance, development, and stress responses, with profound implications for crop improvement.
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