Figure 1.

Schematic model for the "error-free" BRCA double strand break repair pathway Brief overview of components within the BRCA pathway used here as a working model that was tested here. The model is based largely on reference 16. BRCA2 is the same as FANCD1 and the interaction between BRCA1 and Fanconi anemia protein J is shown. While the gene products shown represent the over-all pathway, "error-free" double strand break repair by homologous recombination undoubtedly involves other proteins but the discussion is limited to those shown. Not shown are details of the 13 Fanconi anemia gene products and additional components including EMSY, a whole family of RAD51 related proteins, DCC, cohesins and accessory proteins. Deficiency states may be rare or unknown for these additional proteins and large epidemiologic studies are uncommon. Other protein kinases related to ATM carry out similar functions in response to other genotoxic stresses, and some of them collaborate with ATM. Proteins within the pathway also interact with other branches of the DNA damage response and with further proteins.