Review

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 5, 367-378 (May 2004) | doi:10.1038/nrm1367

A means to a DNA end: the many roles of Ku

Jessica A. Downs1 & Stephen P. Jackson2  About the authors

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Ku is of central importance to DNA repair in eukaryotes. In addition, Ku has a key role in a number of other fundamental cellular processes such as telomere maintenance, transcription and apoptosis. The mechanism by which Ku mediates these processes is not entirely understood, but the current knowledge indicates that the function of Ku in these processes might be mechanistically related to its role in DNA repair. Interestingly, recent findings showed that Ku also exists in Archaea and Bacteria, shedding light on aspects of its conservation and evolution.

Author affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK.
    Email: js4@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk
  2. The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK.
    Email: spj13@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk

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