Histone H2AX in DNA repair

The paper reviews the recent reports on the role of the phosphorylated histone H2AX (gamma-H2AX). The modification of this histone is an important part of the cellular response to the induction of DNA double strand breaks (DSB) by ionising radiation and other DSB-generating factors. In irradiated cell the modification is carried out mainly by ATM (ataxia- -telangiectasia mutated) kinase, the enzyme that starts the alarm signalling upon induction of DSB. gamma-H2AX molecules are formed within 1 3 min after irradiation and form foci at the sites of DSB. This seems to be necessary for the recruitment of repair factors that are later present in foci of damaged nuclei. Modification of a constant percentage of H2AX molecules per DSB takes place, corresponding to chromatin domains of megabase pairs of DNA.