XRCC1

XRCC1

XRCC1 (X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1) is a crucial protein involved in the DNA repair process, specifically in the base excision repair (BER) pathway. It plays a significant role in maintaining genomic stability by facilitating the repair of single-strand breaks (SSBs) in DNA.

Structure

XRCC1 is a scaffold protein that does not possess enzymatic activity itself but interacts with several other proteins involved in DNA repair. It contains multiple domains that allow it to bind to different partners, including DNA ligase III, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), and AP endonuclease 1 (APE1). These interactions are crucial for coordinating the repair of damaged DNA.

Function

The primary function of XRCC1 is to act as a coordinator in the BER pathway. When DNA damage occurs, XRCC1 is recruited to the site of the lesion, where it assembles a repair complex. It interacts with PARP1, which detects DNA strand breaks and signals for repair. XRCC1 then recruits DNA ligase III and other repair proteins to seal the breaks and restore DNA integrity.

Clinical Significance

Mutations or polymorphisms in the XRCC1 gene have been associated with increased susceptibility to various cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. This is due to the impaired ability to repair DNA damage, leading to genomic instability and increased mutation rates.

Research and Studies

Numerous studies have investigated the role of XRCC1 in cancer susceptibility and its potential as a biomarker for cancer risk. Research has also focused on the development of therapeutic strategies that target XRCC1 interactions to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Also see

• DNA repair
• Base excision repair
• DNA ligase III
• Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1
• AP endonuclease 1