RAD51, BRCA2 and DNA repair: A partial resolution

Abstract

Cooperation between the DNA recombinase RAD51 and the breast cancer susceptibility protein BRCA2 is crucial for the repair of double-strand DNA breaks. Two papers provide new insight into the BRCA2-RAD51 interaction, revealing two different sets of motifs within BRCA2 that bind structurally distinct forms of RAD51. The balance between these interactions seems to be crucial for the function of BRCA2 in DNA repair. © 2007 Nature Publishing Group.