DNA-bound ubiquitin coordinates repair

Abstract

DNA Repair Ubiquitylation is a posttranslational modification that reversibly alters various protein properties. Liu et al. discovered that Lys63-linked polyubiquitin chains bound to the free ends of double-stranded DNA, bridged the broken ends of DNA, and recruited repair proteins. Ubiquitins with DNA-binding motif mutations were found in several types of tumors. When expressed in cultured cells, these mutant ubiquitins impaired the cellular response to DNA-damaging agents, suggesting that it might be possible to therapeutically exploit these mutations in some cancer patients. Sci. Signal. 11 , eaar8133 (2018).