NCIt definition : Ku Subunit Genes encode tightly-associated 70-kDa Ku70 Protein and 80-kDa Ku80 Protein
subunits of heterodimeric DNA-binding Ku Protein, a DNA damage repair complex that,
with the 470-kDa catalytic DNA-PKcs subunit forms DNA-dependent protein kinase, binds
and repairs double-stranded DNA breaks, facilitates repair by nonhomologous end-joining,
and is involved in V(D)J recombination. Ku also binds to DNA ends with a telomere
binding protein and mediates telomere capping to prevent fusion of chromosome ends
and genetic instability. KU70 and KU80 form a dyad-symmetrical ring molecule that
encircles duplex DNA. Ku is identical to DNA helicase II, an ATP-dependent DNA unwinding
enzyme. (NCI);
Semantic type(s)