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XRCC4 and XLF are two structurally related proteins that function in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. Here, we identify human PAXX (PAralog of XRCC4 and XLF, also called C9orf142) as a new XRCC4 superfamily member and show that its crystal structure resembles that of XRCC4. PAXX interacts directly with the DSB-repair protein Ku and is recruited to DNA-damage sites in cells. Using RNA interference and CRISPR-Cas9 to generate PAXX(-/-) cells, we demonstrate that PAXX functions with XRCC4 and XLF to mediate DSB repair and cell survival in response to DSB-inducing agents. Finally, we reveal that PAXX promotes Ku-dependent DNA ligation in vitro and assembly of core nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) factors on damaged chromatin in cells. These findings identify PAXX as a new component of the NHEJ machinery.

Original publication

DOI

10.1126/science.1261971

Type

Journal article

Journal

Science

Publication Date

09/01/2015

Volume

347

Pages

185 - 188

Keywords

Antigens, Nuclear, Cell Line, Tumor, Crystallography, X-Ray, DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded, DNA End-Joining Repair, DNA Repair Enzymes, DNA-Binding Proteins, Humans, Ku Autoantigen, Protein Structure, Secondary, RNA Interference