HGSOC,
explained.

A growing guide to high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
Concepts made readable, mechanisms made visible,
and a path back to the evidence.

Browse the molecular index

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01 / DNA repair & HRD

Illustrated introductionWorking draft

What is homologous recombination deficiency?

Start with a broken DNA molecule. Follow how it repairs itself using a second copy, then explore what changes when that process fails.

Read & explore the article

Inside the mechanismHR / RAD51 filament

A frame from the homologous recombination mechanism:
the RAD51 filament on a resected end.

Understand the repair

Start with how homologous recombination works.

See where it can fail

Compare functional repair with a BRCA2 loading defect.

Read the evidence

Separate gene alterations, genomic scars and function.

Look closer

The molecular index.

The proteins, complexes and processes behind DNA repair.

Reference notes · working drafts

28 entries

53BP1p53-binding protein 1 (TP53BP1)
NHEJ
ATMAtaxia-telangiectasia mutated
Detection & signalling
BRCA1Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein
Homologous recombination
BRCA2Breast cancer type 2 susceptibility protein
Homologous recombination
CtIPCtBP-interacting protein (RBBP8)
Homologous recombination
DNA-PKcsDNA-dependent protein kinase, catalytic subunit (PRKDC)
NHEJ
DNA2–BLMDNA2 nuclease–helicase with BLM helicase
Homologous recombination
DSBDNA double-strand break
DNA damage
EXO1Exonuclease 1
Homologous recombination
H2AXHistone H2AX (phosphorylated on serine 139)
Detection & signalling
KU70/80Ku heterodimer (XRCC6 / XRCC5)
NHEJ
LIG4–XRCC4DNA ligase IV – XRCC4
NHEJ
MDC1Mediator of DNA damage checkpoint 1
Detection & signalling
MH deletionsMicrohomology-mediated deletions
SSA / alt-EJ
MRE11Meiotic recombination 11 homolog
Detection & signalling
NBS1Nibrin (NBN)
Detection & signalling
PALB2Partner and localiser of BRCA2
Homologous recombination
POLθDNA polymerase theta (POLQ)
SSA / alt-EJ
RAD50RAD50 double-strand break repair protein
Detection & signalling
RAD51RAD51 recombinase
Homologous recombination
RAD52RAD52 homolog
SSA / alt-EJ
Repeat deletionsSingle-strand annealing deletions
SSA / alt-EJ
ResolutionResolution of recombination intermediates
Homologous recombination
RIF1Replication timing regulatory factor 1
NHEJ
RPAReplication protein A (RPA1–3)
Homologous recombination
ShieldinShieldin complex (REV7, SHLD1, SHLD2, SHLD3)
NHEJ
Strand invasionHomology search and strand invasion
Homologous recombination
SynthesisRepair DNA synthesis
Homologous recombination