Analysis of minor DNA repair pathways in human cells

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16106
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 43050:Genome biology-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: Saito Shinta 横浜市立大学, 理学部, 助教 (60837897)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: DNA修復 / 非相同組換え / 二本鎖切断 / Alu

Outline of Final Research Achievements

DNA double-strand breaks are efficiently repaired by non-homologous end-joining or homologous recombination. In addition to these pathways, there are two minor pathways: alternative end-joining and single-strand annealing whose molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this research project, we have performed functional analysis of DNA polymerase θ, which is an essential factor for alternative end-joining, and genetic analysis of the Alu-Alu recombination. Our study will help to understand the mechanism of maintaining genome stability.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、DNAポリメラーゼθに関する種々の機能解析に加え、Alu-Alu組換えに関する遺伝学的解析を行うことにより、マイナーな二本鎖DNA切断修復のメカニズムと生理的意義の一端を明らかにした。本研究の成果は、ゲノム安定性維持機構の具体像やがん化との関連についての正確な理解に役立つだけでなく、放射線や抗がん剤を用いたがん治療、さらにはゲノム編集の分野にも重要な示唆を与えることが期待される。