New Discovery Reveals How Cancer Cells Repair DNA Without BRCA2 (IMAGE)

Istituto di Ricerca in Biomedicina

New Discovery Reveals How Cancer Cells Repair DNA Without BRCA2

Caption

Researchers found that losing a second protein, FIGNL1, allows cancer cells missing BRCA2 to restore DNA repair by reloading RAD51 onto broken DNA strands. Normally, BRCA2 helps place RAD51 at DNA breaks to guide repair, but without BRCA2, this process fails, leaving cells sensitive to chemotherapy. Surprisingly, when both BRCA2 and FIGNL1 are absent, the MMS22L-TONSL complex steps in to reload RAD51 and restore DNA repair—making the cells chemoresistant. This discovery could help scientists design new ways to block cancer drug resistance.

Credit

Raviprasad Kuthethur

Usage Restrictions

nd

License

Original content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.