The Fanconi anaemia pathway: new players and new functions

Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2016 Jun;17(6):337-49. doi: 10.1038/nrm.2016.48. Epub 2016 May 5.

Abstract

The Fanconi anaemia pathway repairs DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) in the genome. Our understanding of this complex pathway is still evolving, as new components continue to be identified and new biochemical systems are used to elucidate the molecular steps of repair. The Fanconi anaemia pathway uses components of other known DNA repair processes to achieve proper repair of ICLs. Moreover, Fanconi anaemia proteins have functions in genome maintenance beyond their canonical roles of repairing ICLs. Such functions include the stabilization of replication forks and the regulation of cytokinesis. Thus, Fanconi anaemia proteins are emerging as master regulators of genomic integrity that coordinate several repair processes. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the functions of the Fanconi anaemia pathway in ICL repair, together with an overview of its connections with other repair pathways and its emerging roles in genome maintenance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Repair*
  • DNA Replication
  • Fanconi Anemia / genetics*
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins / physiology*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins