Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41168947›Full record

ArticleFEBS letters2026

The bacterial MRE11-RAD50 and DNA2-WRN homologs process replication forks at distinct and separate loci on the chromosome.

Raymond L Spolek, Paden Y H Christian, Charmain T Courcelle, Justin Courcelle

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in FEBS letters, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

4 authors.

Raymond L SpolekDepartment of Biology, Portland State University, OR, USA.
Paden Y H ChristianDepartment of Biology, Portland State University, OR, USA.
Charmain T CourcelleDepartment of Biology, Portland State University, OR, USA.
Justin CourcelleDepartment of Biology, Portland State University, OR, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7464-0375

Funding

Eukaryotic Completion of DNA ReplicationR16GM145543 · NIGMS · PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY · PI COURCELLE, JUSTIN · 2022 to 2025
$588k
Replication-Coupled Repair: a mechanism for surviving UV irradiationR21ES034880 · NIEHS · PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY · PI COURCELLE, JUSTIN · 2023 to 2024
$405k
NIEHS NIH HHS R21 ES034880NIGMS NIH HHS R16 GM145543
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Human BRCA2 protects the DNA when replication forks stall, whereas MRE11-RAD50 and DNA2-WRN process or partially degrade these substrates. When mutated, these genes result in distinct genetic instabilities and cancers, arguing they have unique, not redundant, functions. Escherichia coli encodes functional homologs of MRE11-RAD50 (SbcC-SbcD), DNA2-WRN (RecJ-RecQ), and BRCA2 (RecF). Here, we use 2-dimensional gels, pulse-labelling, and replication-profiling analysis to show the bacterial homologs act at distinct substrates and loci on the chromosome. Whereas RecF and RecJ-RecQ protect and process DNA at arrested replication forks to facilitate repair, RecBCD and SbcC-SbcD protect and process DNA at sites where forks converge. Comparing the assays used in E. coli to human cells, we consider whether these cellular roles may be functionally conserved. Impact statement BRCA2, MRE11-RAD50, and WRN-DNA2 encode human proteins that process replication forks and result in distinct genetic instabilities and cancers when mutated. Here, we show their bacterial homologs act on unique replication fork substrates-those at DNA damage sites or as replication completes, and discuss their possible functional conservation in humans.

Indexed as

Chromosomes, BacterialDNA Damage ToleranceEscherichia coliEscherichia coli ProteinsMRE11 Homologue ProteinAcid Anhydride HydrolasesDeoxyribonucleasesDNA-Binding ProteinsDNA HelicasesExonucleasesWerner Syndrome HelicaseAcid Anhydride HydrolasesDeoxyribonucleasesDNA2 protein, humanDNA-Binding ProteinsDNA HelicasesEscherichia coli ProteinsExonucleasesMRE11 Homologue ProteinMRE11 protein, humanRAD50 protein, humanSbcC protein, E colisbcD protein, E coliWerner Syndrome HelicaseWRN protein, humanDNA2‐WRNDNA replicationMRE11–RAD50RecJ–RecQSbcC–SbcD

Identifiers

PMID41168947
PMCPMC13050550

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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.