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The helicase-associated endonuclease for fork-structured DNA (Hef) is an archaeabacterial protein that processes blocked replication forks. Here we have isolated the vertebrate Hef ortholog and investigated its molecular function. Disruption of this gene in chicken DT40 cells results in genomic instability and sensitivity to DNA cross-links. The similarity of this phenotype to that of cells lacking the Fanconi anemia-related (FA) tumor-suppressor genes led us to investigate whether Hef functions in this pathway. Indeed, we found a genetic interaction between the FANCC and Hef genes. In addition, Hef is a component of the FA nuclear protein complex that facilitates its DNA damage-inducible chromatin localization and the monoubiquitination of the FA protein FANCD2. Notably, Hef interacts directly with DNA structures that are intermediates in DNA replication. This discovery sheds light on the origins, regulation and molecular function of the FA tumor-suppressor pathway in the maintenance of genome stability.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/nsmb981

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Struct Mol Biol

Publication Date

09/2005

Volume

12

Pages

763 - 771

Keywords

Adenosine Triphosphatases, Animals, Avian Proteins, Cell Cycle Proteins, Cell Line, Chickens, Conserved Sequence, DNA, DNA Damage, DNA Helicases, DNA Repair, DNA Replication, DNA-Binding Proteins, Endonucleases, Evolution, Molecular, Fanconi Anemia, Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group C Protein, Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins, Genomic Instability, Humans, Nuclear Proteins, Tumor Suppressor Proteins