In eukaryotes, DNA damage is frequently repaired by homologous recombination. In this study the authors asked whether there are any changes in chromosome dynamics that facilitate the search for a homologous sequence, using budding yeast as a model. They showed that induction of a DNA double-strand break (DSB) increases the mobility of both the broken chromosome and its unbroken homologue, allowing the chromosomes to explore a larger area in the nucleus. Interestingly, induction of a DSB also increases the mobility of unbroken, non-homologous chromosomes, albeit at lower levels. These changes in chromosome dynamics and the consequent homologue pairing depend on two repair proteins, the endonuclease Sae2 and the recombinase Rad51. The authors propose a model in which DSBs increase chromosome mobility, thereby facilitating homologue pairing by expanding the nuclear area that chromosomes explore.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Miné-Hattab, J. & Rothstein, R. Increased chromosome mobility facilitates homology search during recombination. Nature Cell Biol. 8 Apr 2012 (doi:10.1038/ncb2472)
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David, R. How chromosomes find their 'soul mate'. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 13, 281 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3346
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3346