Molecular mechanisms underlying the prominent DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair pathway, the NHEJ (non-homologous end joining)

The aim of our project is to decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying the prominent DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair pathway, the NHEJ (non-homologous end joining). No repaired DSBs can led to cell death, chromosomal aberration or immunodeficiency syndromes. NHEJ starts with DSB recognition by the heterodimeric protein Ku that recruits the processing factors (nucleases, polymerases) and the ligase complex to end with DNA ligation (Zahid et al 2021).
We are mainly focus on the structural studies of long-range to short-range synaptic transition in S. cerevisiae NHEJ, as a model of study. An additional aim to unveil the architecture of key DNA-protein complexes involved in this budding yeast NHEJ is to compare it with the human system Chaplin et al 2021, Nemoz et al 2018)from an evolutionary point of view.