The Weiss and Smolka labs published back-to-back papers in eLife showing how the master DNA damage kinase ATR is activated and functions during mammalian meiosis.
The findings help better understand how distinct processes in meiosis, such as DNA repair, silencing and the cell cycle, are coordinated.
Since many ATR inhibitors are currently in phase 2 clinical trials for cancer treatment, the results will be relevant to define the precise molecular effects of these treatments and potential impact on patient fertility.
