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SCIENCE

The Claim

Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repairs a DNA double-strand break by ligating the two cut ends directly together without requiring a homologous template.

Verified by Lenz ·

The Short Version

The claim captures the core mechanism of NHEJ. NHEJ repairs double-strand breaks by rejoining DNA ends without needing a homologous template, which is the key distinction from homologous recombination. However, the wording is somewhat simplified because NHEJ often processes damaged ends before ligation and can be error-prone rather than a perfectly clean end-to-end join.

Caveats

  • 'Directly together' is simplified: many NHEJ events require nucleases or polymerases to process the broken ends before ligation.
  • NHEJ can use very short microhomologies to stabilize ends, even though it does not require a full homologous template.
  • NHEJ frequently introduces small insertions or deletions, so repair is often imprecise even when the ends are successfully rejoined.

The Receipts

  1. The mechanism of double-strand DNA break repair by the nonhomologous DNA end-joining pathway - PubMed

    pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

  2. Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks by the Non-homologous End Joining Pathway - PMC

    PMC

  3. Nonhomologous DNA end-joining for repair of DNA double-strand breaks

    Nonhomologous DNA end-joining for repair of DNA double-strand breaks - PMC

  4. DNA repair by nonhomologous end joining and homologous recombination during cell cycle in human cells

    DNA repair by nonhomologous end joining and homologous recombination during cell cycle in human cells - PMC

  5. Comparison of nonhomologous end joining and homologous recombination in human cells

    PubMed

  6. The Art of Imperfect Joining: NHEJ in DNA Repair and Disease | IntechOpen

    IntechOpen

  7. Non-homologous End-joining Pathway - Creative Diagnostics

    Creative Diagnostics

  8. HDR vs NHEJ: DNA Repair Pathway Comparison - InVivo Biosystems

    invivobiosystems.com

  9. NHEJ DNA Repair Explained + Custom Knockout Mice | ITL - ingenious targeting laboratory

    ingenious targeting laboratory

  10. Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair - GeneGlobe

    geneglobe.qiagen.com

+ 3 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

DNA Double-Strand Break RepairNon-Homologous End Joining

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