Gene XRCC3
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Also known as
X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 3Overview
XRCC3 (X-Ray Repair Cross-Complementing Protein 3) encodes a member of the RAD51-related protein family that plays a critical role in homologous recombination repair (HRR) of DNA double-strand breaks. This repair pathway is essential for maintaining genomic stability and is particularly important during DNA replication and meiosis. XRCC3 interacts with RAD51 and other repair proteins to facilitate accurate repair of double-strand breaks through the use of a homologous DNA template.Common genetic polymorphisms in XRCC3, most notably the Thr241Met variant, have been extensively investigated for their associations with cancer susceptibility and DNA repair capacity. Individuals carrying certain XRCC3 variants may have altered efficiency of double-strand break repair, potentially affecting risk for various cancers including breast, ovarian, lung, and bladder cancer. The effects of these variants can be particularly pronounced in individuals exposed to ionizing radiation or DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents.
XRCC3 variants may also influence response to radiation therapy and chemotherapy regimens that induce double-strand breaks, such as platinum-based drugs and topoisomerase inhibitors. Understanding XRCC3 genetics can inform personalized cancer risk assessment, screening strategies, and treatment selection. Additionally, these variants may interact with other DNA repair genes to modulate overall genomic stability and cellular responses to genotoxic stress.