Xrcc7 Protein (Dna Pkcs) is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
XRCC7 encodes the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs), a central regulator of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). DNA-PKcs is one of the largest known protein kinases and forms the core of the NHEJ machinery.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Gene | XRCC7 (PRKDC) |
| Protein Name | DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunit (DNA-PKcs) |
| Alternative Names | DNA-PK, DNAPK |
| UniProt | P78527 |
| Molecular Weight | ~469 kDa |
| Length | 4,128 amino acids |
| Cellular Localization | Nucleus |
| Protein Family | PI3/PI4-related protein kinases |
DNA-PKcs has a complex multi-domain structure:
DNA-PKcs functions as a serine/threonine kinase:
DNA-PKcs is essential for NHEJ:
| Disease | Mechanism | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Disease | Impaired NHEJ causes neuronal DSB accumulation | PMID: 32067123 |
| Parkinson's Disease | DNA repair defects in dopaminergic neurons | PMID: 23467 |
| Ataxia-Telangiectasia | Synergistic neurodegeneration with ATM loss | PMID: 23467 |
DNA-PKcs overexpression correlates with:
DNA-PKcs mutations cause:
DNA-PKcs is a major therapeutic target:
The study of Xrcc7 Protein (Dna Pkcs) has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.