Ku基因在微生物中的研究进展

Ku Gene in Microorganisms

ku基因介导的非同源末端连接(NHEJ)途径是DNA双链断裂(DSBs)的一种修复机制,它不依赖于同源重组,且通过与之竞争而削弱同源重组。由于ku基因在生物进化过程中的高度保守性,其功能在很多微生物中已经得到研究,尤其在丝状真菌中,将ku基因敲除,在NHEJ途径缺陷的背景下,同源重组发挥主要作用,基因敲除的频率大为提高,从而方便了对基因功能的研究。

Non-homologous end joining （NHEJ） mediated by ku genes is a repair type of DNA double-strand breaks （DSBs）. NHEJ pathway is independent of homologous recombination （HR）, and decreases HR with competitive relationship, ku genes are highly conservative in the biological evolution process, and ku mutants have been phenotypically characterized in many microorganisms, especially in fungi. Gene targeting frequency is increased by deletion of ku genes, when HR plays a key role on the defects of NHEJ pathway, leading to facilitate analysis of gene function.