XRCC2

UniProt ID: O43543
Organism: Homo sapiens
Review Status: COMPLETE
πŸ“ Provide Detailed Feedback

Gene Description

XRCC2 (DNA repair protein XRCC2; also FANCU) is one of five human RAD51 paralogs and a RecA/RAD51-family P-loop NTPase. It is an obligate structural subunit of the BCDX2 complex (RAD51B-RAD51C-RAD51D-XRCC2), one of the two classical RAD51-paralog assemblies (the other being CX3, RAD51C-XRCC3). Together with RAD51D, XRCC2 also joins CX3 in a RAD51B-independent X3CDX2 (DX2-CX3) tetramer that stably caps the 5' end of RAD51-ssDNA filaments, with XRCC2 forming the cap, and stimulates RAD51-mediated strand invasion. BCDX2 functions as a homologous-recombination mediator: it binds single-stranded DNA and branched DNA structures (four-way/Holliday junctions and replication forks) and stimulates the nucleation and extension of the RAD51 nucleoprotein filament on RPA-coated ssDNA, an activity essential for homologous recombination. Within the complex, RAD51C-RAD51D-XRCC2 structurally mimic three aligned RAD51 protomers; XRCC2 binds ATP through canonical Walker A/B motifs, but the ATP hydrolysis that drives the high-affinity ssDNA-binding, filament-promoting state is contributed by RAD51B and RAD51C. BCDX2 acts downstream of BRCA2 recruitment and upstream of RAD51 recruitment, and also participates in replication fork remodeling/protection and interstrand crosslink repair. XRCC2 localizes predominantly to the nucleus/nucleoplasm and is also found at centrosomes. Biallelic loss-of-function causes Fanconi anemia complementation group U, and XRCC2 deficiency produces hypersensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents, chromosome instability and defective homologous recombination; hypomorphic variants underlie meiotic phenotypes (spermatogenic failure, premature ovarian failure) and contribute to cancer predisposition.

Existing Annotations Review

GO Term Evidence Action Reason
GO:0000400 four-way junction DNA binding
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: As part of the BCDX2 complex, XRCC2 contributes to specific binding of four-way (Holliday) junction DNA. Experimentally supported and phylogenetically consistent.
Reason: The purified BCDX2 complex binds with high specificity to branched DNA including Holliday (four-way) junctions; XRCC2 is an obligate subunit contributing to this DNA-binding activity. The contributes_to qualifier is appropriate for a complex subunit.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:20207730
both complexes bind with exceptionally
GO:0000724 double-strand break repair via homologous recombination
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Core biological process. XRCC2, via BCDX2, promotes RAD51 filament assembly required for double-strand break repair by homologous recombination.
Reason: Well established for XRCC2 and the RAD51 paralogs; XRCC2-deficient cells are defective in HR and RAD51 focus formation. This is the central function of the gene.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:37344587
BCDX2 stimulates the nucleation and extension of RAD51
GO:0005657 replication fork
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: XRCC2/BCDX2 acts at replication forks, binding fork structures and functioning in fork remodeling, protection and restart.
Reason: The BCDX2 complex binds replication-fork DNA with high specificity and restrains fork progression/promotes fork reversal under replication stress.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:32669601
the BCDX2 subcomplex restrains fork progression upon stress, promoting fork
GO:0005813 centrosome
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: XRCC2 co-localizes with centrosomes; this is a secondary localization associated with a role in mitotic stability rather than the core HR-mediator function.
Reason: Centrosome association is experimentally observed but represents a peripheral/secondary activity (mitotic stability) likely downstream of the primary HR role; not a core molecular function of XRCC2.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:21276791
XRCC2 and other HR proteins, including the key
GO:0033063 Rad51B-Rad51C-Rad51D-XRCC2 complex
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: XRCC2 is an obligate subunit of the BCDX2 complex. This is the defining structural annotation for the protein.
Reason: Biochemically purified and structurally resolved; XRCC2 is one of the four subunits of BCDX2.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:11751635
the five paralogs exist in two distinct complexes in human cells: one contains RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, and XRCC2 (defined as BCDX2)
GO:0042148 DNA strand invasion
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: XRCC2, via its subcomplex/BCDX2 mediator activity, promotes homologous pairing and strand invasion during HR.
Reason: The purified Xrcc2*Rad51D subcomplex catalyzes homologous pairing between ssDNA and dsDNA, and BCDX2 promotes RAD51 filament assembly that carries out strand invasion. Recent reconstitution refines this: stimulation of RAD51-mediated strand invasion is a property of the XRCC3-containing X3CDX2 complex (in which XRCC2 forms the 5' filament cap), whereas the RAD51B (BCDX2) complex showed no such activity. XRCC2's participation in strand invasion is therefore supported, but via X3CDX2 rather than BCDX2.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:11834724
pairing between single-stranded and double-stranded DNA
PMID:41196948
The XRCC3 complex, and to a lesser extent the CX3 complex, stimulated RAD51-mediated strand invasion, whereas the RAD51B complex showed no activity
GO:0000724 double-strand break repair via homologous recombination
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
ACCEPT
Summary: InterPro-based electronic annotation to the core HR process; consistent with experimental and phylogenetic evidence.
Reason: Redundant with, and consistent with, the experimentally and IBA-supported HR annotation.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:10517641
XRCC2 is essential for the efficient repair of DNA double-strand breaks by homologous recombination between sister chromatids
GO:0003677 DNA binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
ACCEPT
Summary: XRCC2, within BCDX2, binds ssDNA and branched DNA. DNA binding is a broad but correct parent term.
Reason: Correct though general; more specific supported terms (four-way junction DNA binding) are also annotated. Acceptable as a broad electronic annotation.
GO:0005524 ATP binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
ACCEPT
Summary: XRCC2 binds ATP via canonical Walker A (K54/T55) and Walker B (D149) motifs, as resolved in the BCDX2 cryo-EM structure.
Reason: Directly confirmed structurally; XRCC2 binds ATP even though the catalytic ATPase driving BCDX2's filament-promoting activity is contributed by RAD51B and RAD51C.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:37344587
XRCC2 binds ATP in a near-identical arrangement via Walker A K54/T55 and Walker B D149
GO:0005634 nucleus
IEA
GO_REF:0000044
ACCEPT
Summary: XRCC2 is a nuclear protein, consistent with its DNA-repair function.
Reason: Nuclear localization is experimentally documented (UniProt SUBCELLULAR LOCATION; PMID:21276791).
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:21276791
XRCC2 and other HR proteins, including the key
GO:0005657 replication fork
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
ACCEPT
Summary: Electronic annotation to replication fork, consistent with experimental data.
Reason: Redundant with experimentally supported replication-fork annotations.
GO:0005813 centrosome
IEA
GO_REF:0000044
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Centrosome localization from UniProt subcellular-location mapping; a secondary localization.
Reason: Consistent with experimental IDA (PMID:21276791) but peripheral to the core HR-mediator function.
GO:0006281 DNA repair
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
ACCEPT
Summary: Broad DNA-repair annotation; correct parent of the specific HR role.
Reason: Correct though general; the more specific HR term is also annotated.
GO:0033063 Rad51B-Rad51C-Rad51D-XRCC2 complex
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
ACCEPT
Summary: Electronic annotation of BCDX2 membership; consistent with experimental evidence.
Reason: Redundant with the experimentally supported BCDX2 complex annotations.
GO:0140664 ATP-dependent DNA damage sensor activity
IEA
GO_REF:0000002
MARK AS OVER ANNOTATED
Summary: InterPro-based electronic mapping propagated from the RecA/RAD51 ATP-binding domain. XRCC2 is a RAD51-filament-assembly mediator, not a demonstrated ATP-dependent DNA damage sensor; the ATP hydrolysis that drives BCDX2 is contributed by RAD51B and RAD51C.
Reason: This is an over-propagation of a RecA/RAD51-family ATPase/damage-sensor function onto XRCC2. Structural analysis shows XRCC2 binds but is not established to hydrolyze ATP as a damage sensor; its molecular role is as a mediator subunit promoting RAD51 filament nucleation/extension. The term overstates an independent catalytic sensor activity.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:37344587
BCDX2 promotes RAD51 filament nucleation and growth in an ATP hydrolysis dependent manner
PMID:11301337
it does not make use of ATP binding to promote this function
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:10749867
Evidence for simultaneous protein interactions between human...
REMOVE
Summary: Generic protein-binding IPI (RAD51D partner). Uninformative as a molecular function; the biologically meaningful interaction is captured by the BCDX2 complex annotation.
Reason: 'protein binding' (GO:0005515) is uninformative per curation guidelines. The underlying RAD51D/paralog interaction is better represented by GO:0033063 (BCDX2 complex). Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:10871607
The RAD51 family member, RAD51L3, is a DNA-stimulated ATPase...
REMOVE
Summary: Generic protein-binding IPI (RAD51D/RAD51L3 partner); uninformative as MF.
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' term; the meaningful RAD51D interaction is captured by the BCDX2 complex annotation. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:11751635
Identification and purification of two distinct complexes co...
REMOVE
Summary: Generic protein-binding IPI within the RAD51-paralog complexes study.
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding'; the same paper supports the specific BCDX2 complex annotation (GO:0033063), which should carry the information. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:11842113
Involvement of Rad51C in two distinct protein complexes of R...
REMOVE
Summary: Generic protein-binding IPI (RAD51C/RAD51D partners in paralog complexes).
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding'; captured better by the BCDX2 complex annotation. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:12975363
Functional interaction between the Bloom's syndrome helicase...
REMOVE
Summary: Generic protein-binding IPI (RAD51D/BLM interaction context).
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' term for a specific partner interaction. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:16710300
Sws1 is a conserved regulator of homologous recombination in...
REMOVE
Summary: Generic protein-binding IPI (SWS1/HR regulator context).
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' term. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:24141787
Breast cancer-associated missense mutants of the PALB2 WD40 ...
REMOVE
Summary: Generic protein-binding IPI (PALB2/RAD51C interactome context).
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' term. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:25416956
A proteome-scale map of the human interactome network.
REMOVE
Summary: High-throughput interactome protein-binding IPI (proteome-scale map).
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' from a large-scale interactome screen. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:25910212
Widespread macromolecular interaction perturbations in human...
REMOVE
Summary: High-throughput interactome protein-binding IPI.
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' from a large-scale interactome screen. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:28514442
Architecture of the human interactome defines protein commun...
REMOVE
Summary: High-throughput interactome protein-binding IPI.
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' from a large-scale interactome screen. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:28864920
Discovery of mutations in homologous recombination genes in ...
REMOVE
Summary: Protein-binding IPI (HR-gene mutation/interaction study).
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' term. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:31515488
Extensive disruption of protein interactions by genetic vari...
REMOVE
Summary: High-throughput interactome protein-binding IPI (variant interaction landscape).
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' from a large-scale interactome screen. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:32296183
A reference map of the human binary protein interactome.
REMOVE
Summary: High-throughput binary interactome protein-binding IPI.
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' from a large-scale interactome screen. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:33961781
Dual proteome-scale networks reveal cell-specific remodeling...
REMOVE
Summary: High-throughput interactome protein-binding IPI (RAD51C/RAD51D partners).
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' from a large-scale interactome screen. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:34591612
A protein interaction landscape of breast cancer.
REMOVE
Summary: Protein-binding IPI (breast-cancer interactome landscape).
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' from a large-scale interactome screen. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:40205054
Multimodal cell maps as a foundation for structural and func...
REMOVE
Summary: High-throughput interactome protein-binding IPI (multimodal cell maps).
Reason: Uninformative 'protein binding' from a large-scale interactome screen. Removing the row does not dispute the reported interaction itself.
GO:0005657 replication fork
NAS
PMID:32669601
Sequential role of RAD51 paralog complexes in replication fo...
ACCEPT
Summary: XRCC2/BCDX2 localizes to and acts at replication forks in fork remodeling and restart.
Reason: Single-molecule and cellular data place the BCDX2 subcomplex at stressed replication forks, where it restrains fork progression and promotes fork reversal.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:32669601
the BCDX2 subcomplex restrains fork progression upon stress, promoting fork
PMID:30566856
restrain active DNA synthesis during
GO:0033063 Rad51B-Rad51C-Rad51D-XRCC2 complex
IPI
PMID:11751635
Identification and purification of two distinct complexes co...
ACCEPT
Summary: Experimentally purified BCDX2 complex membership. Defining structural annotation for XRCC2.
Reason: The four-subunit BCDX2 complex was purified to homogeneity and its composition established biochemically.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:11751635
one contains RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, and XRCC2 (defined as BCDX2)
GO:0097435 supramolecular fiber organization
IDA
PMID:37344587
Structure and function of the RAD51B-RAD51C-RAD51D-XRCC2 tum...
MODIFY
Summary: Captures BCDX2's mediator activity: promoting the nucleation and extension of RAD51 nucleoprotein filaments (supramolecular fibers) on ssDNA.
Reason: The 2023 structure/function study directly demonstrates that BCDX2 increases both the quantity (nucleation) and length (extension) of RAD51 filaments in an ATP-hydrolysis-dependent manner. That is XRCC2's core contribution, but supramolecular fiber organization is a generic parent that says nothing about recombinases. GO:0000730 DNA recombinase assembly - "the aggregation, arrangement and bonding together of strand exchange proteins (recombinases) into higher order oligomers on single-stranded DNA" - is literally what this experiment shows, and is the term this same PR uses for RAD51. The generic supramolecular-fiber parent loses the recombinase identity, which is the whole content of the finding.
Proposed replacements: DNA recombinase assembly
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:37344587
we found that BCDX2 increases both the quantity (nucleation) and length (growth) of RAD51 filaments
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5685318
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway (BCDX2 complex formation).
Reason: Consistent with the nuclear localization of XRCC2 acting in HR; nucleoplasm is a valid refinement of nucleus.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5685341
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome (BCDX2 stabilizes RAD51 filament).
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear HR-mediator function.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5685838
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway.
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5686410
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway.
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5686440
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway.
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5686469
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway.
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5686483
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway.
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5693539
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway.
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5693584
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway.
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5693589
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway.
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5693593
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway.
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-5693620
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway.
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-9701199
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway (defective-BRCA1 context).
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-9704330
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway (defective-PALB2 context).
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-9704408
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway (defective-PALB2 context).
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-9709601
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome HR pathway (defective-BRCA2 context).
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0005654 nucleoplasm
TAS
Reactome:R-HSA-9853389
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleoplasmic localization from Reactome (FIGNL1 binds RAD51 context).
Reason: Consistent with XRCC2's nuclear localization.
GO:0000278 mitotic cell cycle
IMP
PMID:21276791
Homologous recombination proteins are associated with centro...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: XRCC2-deficient cells show mitotic instability/catastrophe linked to centrosome disruption. A broad, secondary process term.
Reason: Experimentally supported but very general and peripheral to the core HR-mediator role; likely an indirect consequence of genome instability rather than a distinct XRCC2 function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:21276791
centrosome disruption is dynamic
GO:0000400 four-way junction DNA binding
IDA
PMID:20207730
Ring-shaped Rad51 paralog protein complexes bind Holliday ju...
ACCEPT
Summary: Direct EM demonstration that BCDX2 binds Holliday (four-way) junctions with high specificity; XRCC2 contributes to this activity as a complex subunit.
Reason: Experimentally supported specific DNA-binding molecular function; contributes_to is the correct qualifier for a subunit of the DNA-binding complex.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:20207730
both complexes bind with exceptionally
GO:0000724 double-strand break repair via homologous recombination
IMP
PMID:23149936
Rad51 paralog complexes BCDX2 and CX3 act at different stage...
ACCEPT
Summary: Loss of BCDX2 function impairs HR; the complex acts downstream of BRCA2 and upstream of RAD51 recruitment.
Reason: Directly demonstrated genetic requirement for XRCC2/BCDX2 in the BRCA1-BRCA2-dependent HR pathway. Core function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:23149936
the BCDX2 complex acts downstream of BRCA2 recruitment but
GO:0005657 replication fork
IDA
PMID:20207730
Ring-shaped Rad51 paralog protein complexes bind Holliday ju...
ACCEPT
Summary: BCDX2 binds replication-fork DNA structures with high specificity (direct EM).
Reason: Direct experimental visualization of BCDX2 binding forked DNA; supports replication-fork localization.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:20207730
both complexes bind with exceptionally
GO:0005813 centrosome
IDA
PMID:21276791
Homologous recombination proteins are associated with centro...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: XRCC2 co-localizes with centrosomes throughout the cell cycle (direct observation); a secondary localization.
Reason: Experimentally supported but peripheral to the core HR-mediator function; retained as a non-core localization.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:21276791
XRCC2 and other HR proteins, including the key
GO:0007098 centrosome cycle
IMP
PMID:21276791
Homologous recombination proteins are associated with centro...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: XRCC2 deficiency disrupts centrosome integrity, linking XRCC2 to centrosome/mitotic stability. A secondary process.
Reason: Experimentally supported but a peripheral role likely secondary to genome-instability effects; not a core molecular function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:21276791
centrosome disruption is dynamic
GO:0033063 Rad51B-Rad51C-Rad51D-XRCC2 complex
IDA
PMID:11751635
Identification and purification of two distinct complexes co...
ACCEPT
Summary: Direct biochemical demonstration of BCDX2 complex membership.
Reason: BCDX2 was purified to homogeneity with XRCC2 as a subunit.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:11751635
one contains RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, and XRCC2 (defined as BCDX2)
GO:0042148 DNA strand invasion
IDA
PMID:11834724
Homologous pairing and ring and filament structure formation...
ACCEPT
Summary: The purified Xrcc2*Rad51D subcomplex catalyzes homologous pairing between ssDNA and dsDNA, the strand-invasion reaction of HR.
Reason: Direct in vitro demonstration of homologous-pairing (strand-invasion) activity by an XRCC2-containing subcomplex.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:11834724
pairing between single-stranded and double-stranded DNA
GO:0006281 DNA repair
IGI
PMID:10422536
The XRCC2 and XRCC3 repair genes are required for chromosome...
ACCEPT
Summary: XRCC2 (and XRCC3) are required for chromosome stability; XRCC2-mutant cells accumulate breaks, deletions and translocations. Broad DNA-repair role.
Reason: Genetic-interaction evidence that XRCC2 maintains chromosome stability via DNA repair; correct though general parent of the specific HR term.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:10422536
play essential roles in
GO:0006281 DNA repair
TAS
PMID:9628903
The XRCC2 DNA repair gene from human and mouse encodes a nov...
ACCEPT
Summary: XRCC2 identified as a recA/RAD51-family DNA-repair gene that complements cross-linker hypersensitivity of irs1 cells.
Reason: Author-stated DNA-repair role, consistent with all downstream evidence.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:9628903
elevated in mouse testis, suggesting an additional role
GO:0051321 meiotic cell cycle
TAS
PMID:9628903
The XRCC2 DNA repair gene from human and mouse encodes a nov...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: XRCC2 has a meiotic role: its transcript is elevated in testis and biallelic hypomorphic variants cause meiotic arrest/infertility (SPGF50, POF17).
Reason: Meiotic involvement is genuine (supported by expression and human infertility phenotypes) but represents a tissue/context-specific deployment of the same HR machinery rather than a distinct core molecular function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:9628903
elevated in mouse testis, suggesting an additional role
PMID:30042186
XRCC2 recessive mutation causing meiotic arrest and infertility in humans
GO:0036297 interstrand cross-link repair
IMP
PMID:27208205
Complementation of hypersensitivity to DNA interstrand cross...
NEW
Summary: XRCC2 (FANCU) is required for repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks: wild-type XRCC2 corrects the mitomycin-C hypersensitivity, chromosome breakage and G2-M accumulation of Fanconi anemia patient cells carrying biallelic XRCC2 mutation, placing XRCC2 in the FA-BRCA ICL-repair pathway (acting late, downstream of FANCD2 monoubiquitination).
Reason: Not present in GOA but well-evidenced and a genuine gap: XRCC2 is Fanconi anemia complementation group U (FANCU). Interstrand cross-link repair (GO:0036297) is a specific, correctly-branched DNA-repair biological process distinct from the general DNA repair (GO:0006281) and DSBR-HR (GO:0000724) terms already annotated. Genetic complementation of ICL-specific cellular phenotypes directly demonstrates the role.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:27208205
all related to the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks, including

Core Functions

As an obligate subunit of the BCDX2 complex (RAD51B-RAD51C-RAD51D-XRCC2), XRCC2 acts as a homologous-recombination mediator: BCDX2 binds ssDNA and branched DNA intermediates (four-way/Holliday junctions and replication forks) and stimulates the nucleation and extension of the RAD51 nucleoprotein filament on RPA-coated ssDNA during double-strand break and interstrand crosslink repair. XRCC2 binds ATP via canonical Walker A/B motifs and provides a structural protomer within the complex, while the ATP hydrolysis that powers filament assembly is contributed by RAD51B and RAD51C.

Supporting Evidence:

With RAD51D, XRCC2 also assembles with CX3 (RAD51C-XRCC3) into the RAD51B-independent X3CDX2 (DX2-CX3) complex, which stably caps the 5' end of RAD51-ssDNA filaments, with XRCC2 forming the cap and XRCC3 contacting RAD51, and stimulates RAD51-mediated strand invasion (an activity the RAD51B/BCDX2 complex lacks). This later-acting, filament stabilizing role complements the dynamic, ATP-hydrolysis-driven loading role of BCDX2. Earlier work showed homologous pairing by the purified XRCC2-RAD51D subcomplex. No GO complex term exists for X3CDX2, so in_complex is left unset. No molecular function is asserted for this role. XRCC3 is the subunit that contacts RAD51, and RAD51-XRCC3-RAD51C stimulates strand exchange without RAD51D-XRCC2, so DNA strand exchange activator activity (GO:0140619, contributes_to) is assigned to XRCC3 only. X3CDX2 stimulates strand invasion more strongly than CX3, so RAD51D-XRCC2 may add to the activity, but no assay separates its own contribution.

Supporting Evidence:
  • PMID:41196948
    with XRCC3 directly interacting with RAD51, and XRCC2 forming the cap
  • PMID:41196948
    The XRCC3 complex, and to a lesser extent the CX3 complex, stimulated RAD51-mediated strand invasion, whereas the RAD51B complex showed no activity
  • PMID:41772053
    RAD51B-independent DX2-CX3 complex (RAD51D-XRCC2-RAD51C-XRCC3) functioning as a stable RAD51 anchor on single-stranded DNA
  • PMID:42682019
    the X3CDX2 complex also caps the RAD51 nucleofilament at the 5β€² end, with XRCC3 directly interacting with RAD51 and XRCC2 forming the cap
  • PMID:11834724
    pairing between single-stranded and double-stranded DNA
  • PMID:42020761
    RAD51–X3C displayed significantly enhanced DNA strand exchange activity over RAD51 alone across the protein concentrations tested

References

Loading supporting content…

Download this section (compressed HTML)

Suggested Questions for Experts

Q: Does XRCC2's own ATP binding (Walker A K54/T55, Walker B D149) contribute catalytically to BCDX2 function, or is it purely structural, given that RAD51B and RAD51C provide the coupled ATPase activity that drives RAD51 filament assembly?

Q: Is the centrosome/mitotic-stability phenotype of XRCC2-deficient cells a direct function of XRCC2 at the centrosome, or an indirect consequence of unrepaired DNA damage and genome instability?

Q: How is XRCC2-RAD51D partitioned between BCDX2 (dynamic RAD51 loader) and X3CDX2 (stable 5' filament cap) in cells, and which assembly underlies XRCC2's roles in fork progression, fork protection and ICL repair? Should GO add a complex term for X3CDX2?

Suggested Experiments

Experiment: Separation-of-function XRCC2 Walker-motif mutants (ATP-binding-deficient) reconstituted into BCDX2 to test whether XRCC2 nucleotide binding is required for RAD51 filament nucleation and extension versus complex assembly.

Hypothesis: XRCC2 ATP binding is structural and largely dispensable for the catalytic drive of RAD51 filament assembly, which is provided by RAD51B and RAD51C.

Experiment: Single-molecule assays of RAD51 filament assembly with BCDX2 reconstituted from cancer- and Fanconi-associated XRCC2 variants to map variant effects onto the mediator activity.

Hypothesis: Pathogenic XRCC2 variants impair BCDX2's ability to nucleate and extend RAD51 filaments.

Deep Research

Affinage

(XRCC2-deep-research-affinage.md)

Loading supporting content…

Download this section (compressed HTML)

πŸ“š Additional Documentation

Notes

(XRCC2-notes.md)

Loading supporting content…

Download this section (compressed HTML)

πŸ“„ View Raw YAML

Loading supporting content…

Download this section (compressed HTML)