Sister chromatid gene conversion is a prominent double-strand break repair pathway in mammalian cells Journal Article


Authors: Johnson, R. D.; Jasin, M.
Article Title: Sister chromatid gene conversion is a prominent double-strand break repair pathway in mammalian cells
Abstract: In mammalian cells, repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) occurs by both homologous and nonhomologous mechanisms. By definition, homologous recombination requires a template with sufficient sequence identity to the damaged molecule in order to direct repair. We now show that the sister chromatid acts as a repair template in a substantial proportion of DSB repair events. The outcome of sister chromatid repair is primarily gene conversion unassociated with reciprocal exchange. This contrasts with expectations from the classical DSB repair model originally proposed for yeast meiotic recombination, but is consistent with models in which recombination is coupled intimately with replication. These results may explain why cytologically observable sister chromatid exchanges are induced only weakly by DNA-damaging agents that cause strand breaks, since most homologous repair events would not be observed. A preference for non-crossover events between sister chromatids suggests that crossovers, although genetically silent, may be disfavored for other reasons. Possibly, a general bias against crossing over in mitotic cells exists to reduce the potential for genome alterations when other homologous repair templates are utilized.
Keywords: nonhuman; animal cell; mammalia; animals; dna damage; homologous recombination; dna repair; sister chromatid; cell line; animalia; dna strand breakage; gene conversion; recombination, genetic; sister chromatid exchange; double-strand break repair; chromatids; crossing over; cricetinae; replication; genomic stability; priority journal; article
Journal Title: EMBO Journal
Volume: 19
Issue: 13
ISSN: 0261-4189
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2000-07-03
Start Page: 3398
End Page: 3407
Language: English
PUBMED: 10880452
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC313931
DOI: 10.1093/emboj/19.13.3398
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 18 November 2015 -- Source: Scopus
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Maria Jasin
    249 Jasin