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Document Type
Feature Article
Publication Date
Fall 9-1-2011
Publication Title
Washington University Undergraduate Research Digest: WUURD 7(1)
Abstract
Peer Editors: Jordan Weiner and Sarah Cohen; Faculty Mentor; Zhongsheng You
Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are one of the most severe forms of DNA damage, capable of causing severe genomic instability if unrepaired or repaired inappropriately. To repair such damage, cells mainly use either homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous recombination end joining (NHEJ). The choice of repair mechanism is in part regulated by DNA resection, which generates 3’ single-strand tails that enable HR to proceed. While the mechanism of DNA resection is well-understood, little is known about its regulation. To shed light on this realm, we studied the behavior of a major protein in the mechanism called endonuclease 1 (Exo1). More specifically, we asked: Which parts of Exo1 are important for translocating it to DSB sites, where it can perform its function? To tackle this question, various Exo1 truncations fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) were generated and transfected into human cells. A “laser-scissors” technique was used to create defined DSBs and microscopy was used to monitor the kinetics and dynamics of Exo1 translocation. Results revealed three domains within the protein, two of which promote Exo1 association with DSBs and one of which inhibits such association. After identifying the regulatory domains, we aim to study the molecular basis of such regulation, continuing the research on genome stability maintenance.
From the Washington University Undergraduate Research Digest: WUURD, Volume 7, Issue 1, Fall 2011. Published by the Office of Undergraduate Research, Joy Zalis Kiefer Director of Undergraduate Research and Assistant Dean in the College of Arts & Sciences; Kristin Sobotka, Editor.
Recommended Citation
Chin, Re-I, "Attacking the DNA Damage Response: Regulation of Exol-Mediated DNA-end Resection" (2011). Washington University Undergraduate Research Digest, Volume 7, Issue 1.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/vol7_iss1/68
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