NHEJ
Also written as: NHEJ — Non-Homologous End Joining
An error-prone DNA repair pathway that ligates broken DNA ends without a homologous template, commonly producing insertions or deletions (indels). Written in full capitals.
Full Definition
Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is the predominant double-strand break repair pathway in mammalian cells, operating throughout the cell cycle. Unlike HDR, NHEJ does not require a repair template and frequently introduces small insertions or deletions (indels) at the break site. In CRISPR editing, NHEJ is harnessed to create gene knockouts through frameshift mutations. Editors should render it as 'NHEJ' and be alert to the variant 'c-NHEJ' (classical NHEJ) and 'alt-NHEJ' (alternative NHEJ), which have distinct mechanistic meanings.
Usage
Usage note: Always written 'NHEJ'. Distinguish from HDR (template-dependent) and MMEJ (microhomology-mediated end joining). Note that 'c-NHEJ' and 'alt-NHEJ' are distinct sub-pathways.
In Context
- "Frameshift mutations resulting from NHEJ repair led to complete loss-of-function in 78% of edited clones." — Results section
- "NHEJ-mediated indels were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and ICE analysis." — Methods section