DNA replication and damage response pathway (DDR (for "DNA damage response"; no standard abbreviation for the full pathway set))

The term "DNA replication and damage response pathways" refers to a collection of molecular mechanisms that maintain genome integrity by ensuring accurate duplication of genetic material and repairing various forms of DNA damage. The **DNA damage response (DDR)** encompasses several distinct repair processes, including homologous recombination, non-homologous end joining, alternative end joining, nucleotide excision repair, mismatch repair, and base excision repair. These pathways involve sensors that detect specific types of DNA lesions—such as single-stranded breaks or double-stranded breaks—and recruit transducer kinases like ATM or ATR to activate downstream effectors such as p53 or BRCA1/2. The coordinated action of these proteins is essential for cell survival and prevention of mutations that can lead to diseases such as cancer[1]. **Note:** This entry does not refer to a single molecule or receptor but rather a group of interconnected cellular processes involving many different proteins. Therefore, it is not considered a canonical therapeutic target itself but rather an umbrella term for multiple targets within these pathways[1].

Other names

DNA repair pathwaysDNA damage response (DDR)genome maintenance pathways