XRCC2 Human
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
X-Ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 2 (XRCC2) is a crucial protein involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks through homologous recombination. It is a member of the RecA/Rad51 family of recombinant repair proteins and is highly conserved in mammals, including humans . XRCC2 plays a significant role in maintaining chromosome stability and ensuring the accurate repair of DNA damage, which is essential for preventing genomic instability and the development of various cancers .
The XRCC2 gene is located on chromosome 7q36.1 and contains three exons . The protein encoded by this gene encompasses the characteristic ATP-binding region typical of the Rad51 family . XRCC2 is part of the RAD51 paralog protein complex BCDX2, which acts in the BRCA1-BRCA2-dependent homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway . This complex binds predominantly to the intersection of the four duplex arms of the Holliday junction and to the junction of replication forks .
XRCC2 is involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks by homologous recombination, a critical process for maintaining genome stability . The BCDX2 complex, which includes XRCC2, acts downstream of BRCA2 recruitment and upstream of RAD51 recruitment . Upon DNA damage, the BCDX2 complex binds to single-stranded DNA, single-stranded gaps in duplex DNA, and specifically to nicks in duplex DNA . This binding facilitates the repair of chromosomal fragmentation, translocations, and deletions, thereby preventing the transmission of damaged DNA to daughter cells .
Mutations or aberrant expression of XRCC2 and other members of the XRCC gene family are associated with various cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, and glioma . The dysfunction of XRCC2 leads to compromised DNA damage repair functions, reducing the cell’s ability to repair damages caused by endogenous and exogenous stimuli . As a result, XRCC2 is considered a potential target for cancer therapy, and its role in DNA repair pathways makes it a critical focus of research in the field of oncology .
