XRCC1

DNA repair protein XRCC1 also known as X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the XRCC1 gene. XRCC1 is involved in DNA repair where it complexes with DNA ligase III.

Function

XRCC1 is involved in the efficient repair of DNA single-strand breaks formed by exposure to ionizing radiation and alkylating agents. This protein interacts with DNA ligase III, polymerase beta and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase to participate in the base excision repair pathway. It may play a role in DNA processing during meiogenesis and recombination in germ cells. A rare microsatellite polymorphism in this gene is associated with cancer in patients of varying radiosensitivity.

Other function of XRCC1

In addition to its role in base excision repair, XRCC1 also has an essential role in microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) repair of double strand breaks. MMEJ is an error-prone DNA repair pathway that results in deletion mutations. XRCC1 is one of 6 proteins required for this pathway.