Ubiquitin family modifications and template switching

Homologous recombination plays an important role in the maintenance of genome integrity. Arrested forks and DNA lesions trigger strand annealing events, called template switching, which can provide for accurate damage bypass, but can also lead to chromosome rearrangements. Advances have been made in understanding the underlying mechanisms for these events and in elucidating the factors involved. Ubiquitin- and SUMO-mediated modification pathways have emerged as key players in regulating damage-induced template switching. Here I review the biological significance of template switching at the nexus of DNA replication and recombination, and the role of ubiquitin-like modifications in mediating and controlling this process. (C) 2011 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.