Homologous recombination factor with OB-fold (HROB)

Homologous recombination factor with OB-fold (HROB), also known as MCM8-9-interacting protein (MCM8IP) and C17orf53, is a DNA repair protein characterized by an oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB) fold. HROB binds single-stranded DNA and interacts with the recombination helicase complex MCM8-MCM9, recruiting and stimulating their activity at sites of DNA damage. It functions in the homologous recombination pathway, primarily promoting repair of DNA double-strand breaks and interstrand cross-links downstream of RAD51 loading, facilitating repair-associated DNA synthesis and replication fork restart. HROB deficiency causes hypersensitivity to crosslinking agents and PARP inhibition, defects in cell proliferation, and gametogenesis failure, implicating it as a critical player in genomic stability and tumor suppression.

Other names

MCM8-9-interacting proteinMCM8IPC17orf53MGC3130ODG11Uncharacterized protein C17orf53Homologous recombination OB-fold protein

Not directly targeted by drugs; however, cells lacking HROB show increased sensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents and PARP inhibitors due to impaired homologous recombination. Thus, inhibition of HROB could in principle enhance the efficacy of DNA-damaging chemotherapies or PARP inhibitors.