DNA end resection

"End resection" redirects here. For other meanings of "resection", see Resection.

DNA end resection, also called 5′–3′ ("five-prime to three-prime") degradation, is a biochemical process where the blunt end of a section of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is modified by cutting away some nucleotides from the 5' end to produce a 3' single-stranded sequence. The presence of a section of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) allows the broken end of the DNA to line up with a matching sequence, so that it can be accurately repaired.

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) can occur at any phase of the cell cycle, causing DNA end resection and repair activities to take place, but they are also normal intermediates in mitotic recombination. Furthermore, the natural ends of the linear eukaryotic chromosomes resemble DSBs, and although DNA breaks can cause damage to the integrity of genomic DNA, the natural ends are packed into complex protective packages called telomeres that prevent DNA repair activities. Telomeres and mitotic DSBs have different functionality, but both experience the same 5′–3′ degradation process.

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