REVIEW

Cell Research (2008): 8-16
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The DNA damage response pathways: at the crossroad of protein modifications

Michael SY Huen¹, Junjie Chen¹

Correspondence: Junjie Chen junjie.chen@yale.edu

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Post-translational modifications play a crucial role in coordinating cellular response to DNA damage. Recent evidence suggests an interplay between multiple protein modifications, including phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, acetylation and sumoylation, that combine to propagate the DNA damage signal to elicit cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, apoptosis and senescence. Utility of specific post-translational modifiers allows temporal and spatial control over protein relocalization and interactions, and may represent a means for trans-regulatory activation of protein activities. The ability to recognize these specific modifiers also underscores the capacity for signal amplification, a crucial step for the maintenance of genomic stability and tumor prevention. Here we have summarized recent findings that highlight the complexity of post-translational modifications in coordinating the DNA damage response, with emphasis on the DNA damage signaling cascade.

Cell Research (2008) 18:8–16. doi: 10.1038/cr.2007.109; published online 18 December 2007

Keywords: genomic instability and cancer