Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40968163›Full record

ArticleNature communications2025

Structural basis for DNA break sensing by human MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 and its regulation by telomeric factor TRF2.

Yilan Fan, Filiz Kuybu, Hengjun Cui, Katja Lammens, Jia-Xuan Chen, Michael Kugler, Christophe Jung, Karl-Peter Hopfner

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. DNA Repair Mechanisms.Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) · 2027
    Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Rap1-mediated steric hindrance protects telomeres from MRX sensing.Nature structural & molecular biology · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yilan Fan *Gene Center, Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor Lynen Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-1954-9343
Filiz Kuybu *Gene Center, Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor Lynen Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8404-2536
Hengjun Cui *Gene Center, Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor Lynen Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5445-0424
Katja LammensGene Center, Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor Lynen Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4438-1381
Jia-Xuan ChenProteomics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany.
Michael KuglerGene Center, Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor Lynen Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0752-9682
Christophe JungGene Center, Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor Lynen Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9774-1125
Karl-Peter HopfnerGene Center, Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor Lynen Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany. karlpeter.hopfner@lmu.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4528-8357

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex is a central, multifunctional factor in the detection, signaling and nucleolytic processing of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). To clarify how human MRN binds generic and telomeric DNA ends and can separate DNA end sensing from nuclease activities, we determined cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of human MRN bound to DNA and to DNA and the telomere protection factor TRF2. MRN senses DSBs through a tight clamp-like sensing state with closed coiled-coil domains, but auto-inhibited MRE11 nuclease. NBS1 wraps around the MRE11 dimer, with NBS1's ATM recruitment motif sequestered by binding to the regulatory RAD50 S site, necessitating a switch in the NBS1 C helix for ATM activation. At telomeric DNA, TRF2 blocks the second S site via the iDDR motif to prevent nuclease and ATM activation. Our results provide a structural framework for DNA sensing via a gating mechanism and separation of sensing, signaling and processing activities of mammalian MRN.

Indexed as

Cell Cycle ProteinsDNA-Binding ProteinsDNA Breaks, Double-StrandedDNA Repair EnzymesMRE11 Homologue ProteinNuclear ProteinsTelomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2Acid Anhydride HydrolasesAtaxia Telangiectasia Mutated ProteinsCryoelectron MicroscopyDNAHumansProtein BindingTelomereAcid Anhydride HydrolasesAtaxia Telangiectasia Mutated ProteinsATM protein, humanCell Cycle ProteinsDNADNA-Binding ProteinsDNA Repair EnzymesMRE11 Homologue ProteinMRE11 protein, humanNBN protein, humanNuclear ProteinsRAD50 protein, humanTelomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2TERF2 protein, human

Identifiers

PMID40968163
PMCPMC12446458

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.