Access

Letter

Nature Cell Biology 5, 675–679 (1 July 2003) | doi:10.1038/ncb1004

Histone H2AX phosphorylation is dispensable for the initial recognition of DNA breaks

Arkady Celeste , Oscar Fernandez-Capetillo , Michael J. Kruhlak , Duane R. Pilch , David W. Staudt , Alicia Lee , Robert F. Bonner , William M. Bonner & Andr|[eacute]| Nussenzweig

Histone H2AX is rapidly phosphorylated in the chromatin micro-environment surrounding a DNA double-strand break (DSB). Although H2AX deficiency is not detrimental to life, H2AX is required for the accumulation of numerous essential proteins into irradiation induced foci (IRIF).