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Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 15, 20–22 (1 January 2008) | doi:10.1038/nsmb0108-20

DNA damage: ubiquitin marks the spot

Eric J Bennett & J Wade Harper

DNA damage activates signaling cascades driven by the ATM|[ndash]|ATR protein kinases, culminating in the recruitment of repair proteins to the damage site through poorly understood mechanisms. Now a flurry of papers reveals how ATM-dependent phosphorylation of mediator and chromatin-associated proteins at sites of double-strand breaks promotes ubiquitylation of local nucleosomes, thereby eliciting a powerful signal for recruitment of repair complexes to the damage site. Genomic integrity is central to organismal homeostasis. Mutations occurring in critical genes can promote developmental defects and diseases such as cancer.