Introduction to the thematic minireview series: DNA double-strand break repair and pathway choice

Environmental agents and reactive metabolites induce myriad chromosomal lesions that challenge the integrity of our genome. In particular, the DNA double-strand break (DSB) has the highest potential to cause the types of chromosome aberrations and rearrangements found in transformed and cancer cells. Several conserved pathways of DSB repair exist in eukaryotes, and these have been the subject of intense studies in recent years. In this Thematic Minireview Series, four leading research groups review recent progress in deciphering DSB repair mechanisms and the intricate regulatory network that helps determine the preferential engagement of one pathway over others.