NHEJ1

gene
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Also known as CernunnosXLFFLJ12610

Summary

NHEJ1 (non-homologous end joining factor 1, HGNC:25737) is a protein-coding gene on chromosome 2q35, encoding Non-homologous end-joining factor 1 (Q9H9Q4). DNA repair protein involved in DNA non-homologous end joining (NHEJ); it is required for double-strand break (DSB) repair and V(D)J recombination and is also involved in telomere maintenance.

Double-strand breaks in DNA result from genotoxic stresses and are among the most damaging of DNA lesions. This gene encodes a DNA repair factor essential for the nonhomologous end-joining pathway, which preferentially mediates repair of double-stranded breaks. Mutations in this gene cause different kinds of severe combined immunodeficiency disorders.

Source: NCBI Gene 79840 — RefSeq curated summary.

At a glance

  • Gene–disease (curated): Cernunnos-XLF deficiency (Definitive, ClinGen)
  • GWAS associations: 9
  • Clinical variants (ClinVar): 244 total — 26 pathogenic, 13 likely-pathogenic
  • Phenotypes (HPO): 95
  • MANE Select transcript: NM_024782

Identifiers

Gene identifiers

FieldValue
HGNC IDHGNC:25737
Approved symbolNHEJ1
Namenon-homologous end joining factor 1
Location2q35
Locus typegene with protein product
StatusApproved
AliasesCernunnos, XLF, FLJ12610
Ensembl geneENSG00000187736
Ensembl biotypeprotein_coding
OMIM611290
Entrez79840

Gene structure

Transcript identifiers

Ensembl transcripts: 26 — 14 protein_coding, 6 nonsense_mediated_decay, 5 protein_coding_CDS_not_defined, 1 retained_intron

ENST00000356853, ENST00000409720, ENST00000418099, ENST00000426304, ENST00000450447, ENST00000457600, ENST00000481764, ENST00000483627, ENST00000491159, ENST00000494211, ENST00000698174, ENST00000698175, ENST00000698176, ENST00000698202, ENST00000698203, ENST00000698210, ENST00000881108, ENST00000881109, ENST00000929432, ENST00000929433, ENST00000929434, ENST00000929435, ENST00000929436, ENST00000929437, ENST00000929438, ENST00000941811

RefSeq mRNA: 3 — MANE Select: NM_024782 NM_001377498, NM_001377499, NM_024782

CCDS: CCDS2432, CCDS92945

Canonical transcript exons

ENST00000356853 — 8 exons

ExonStartEnd
ENSE00001781266219069357219076455
ENSE00001869065219160720219160815
ENSE00003484115219146680219146738
ENSE00003525879219078089219078206
ENSE00003529426219157472219157684
ENSE00003531330219077246219077364
ENSE00003661705219147657219147795
ENSE00003756107219158186219158362

Expression profiles

Bgee: expression breadth ubiquitous, 189 present calls, max score 92.08.

FANTOM5 (CAGE): breadth ubiquitous, TPM avg 6.4577 / max 40.5868, expressed in 1747 samples.

FANTOM5 promoters (3 alternative TSS)

Promoter IDTPM avgSamples expressed
340214.58131697
340221.3764959
340200.5000261

Top tissues by expression

234 total, by Bgee expression score (0-100, higher = more expressed):

TissueAnatomy IDExpression scoreQuality
rectumUBERON:000105292.08gold quality
primordial germ cell in gonadCL:0000670 ∩ UBERON:000099190.45gold quality
mucosa of transverse colonUBERON:000499189.47gold quality
kidney epitheliumUBERON:000481987.21silver quality
monocyteCL:000057686.91gold quality
transverse colonUBERON:000115786.86gold quality
leukocyteCL:000073886.81gold quality
gastrocnemiusUBERON:000138885.49gold quality
small intestine Peyer’s patchUBERON:000345485.42gold quality
left testisUBERON:000453385.21gold quality
smooth muscle tissueUBERON:000113585.17gold quality
muscle of legUBERON:000138385.13gold quality
right testisUBERON:000453484.68gold quality
calcaneal tendonUBERON:000370184.33gold quality
male germ line stem cell (sensu Vertebrata) in testisCL:0000089 ∩ UBERON:000047384.32gold quality
islet of LangerhansUBERON:000000684.05gold quality
metanephros cortexUBERON:001053383.98gold quality
testisUBERON:000047383.90gold quality
small intestineUBERON:000210883.75gold quality
hindlimb stylopod muscleUBERON:000425283.71gold quality
adult mammalian kidneyUBERON:000008283.63gold quality
cortex of kidneyUBERON:000122583.54gold quality
colonUBERON:000115583.22gold quality
intestineUBERON:000016083.21gold quality
large intestineUBERON:000005983.00gold quality
tendonUBERON:000004382.96gold quality
granulocyteCL:000009482.64gold quality
left ventricle myocardiumUBERON:000656682.59gold quality
cardiac muscle of right atriumUBERON:000337982.58gold quality
popliteal arteryUBERON:000225082.54gold quality

Single-cell (SCXA)

Detected in 1 experiment(s), a significant marker in 1.

ExperimentMarker?Max mean expression
E-ANND-3yes3.51

Regulation

Is transcription factor: no

miRNA regulators (miRDB)

51 targeting NHEJ1, top 30 by miRDB confidence (max_score; target_count = how many genes the miRNA targets in total — lower means more specific):

miRNAMax scoreAvg scoremiRNA target_count
HSA-MIR-12118100.0065.881270
HSA-MIR-1252-5P100.0069.802774
HSA-MIR-4795-3P100.0074.624024
HSA-MIR-5011-5P100.0083.465820
HSA-MIR-3613-3P100.0076.367965
HSA-MIR-190A-3P100.0080.355520
HSA-MIR-6891-5P99.9866.531372
HSA-MIR-3173-3P99.9866.491217
HSA-MIR-552-5P99.9368.561583
HSA-MIR-990299.8969.152250
HSA-MIR-6780A-5P99.8866.692776
HSA-MIR-182-5P99.8774.032589
HSA-MIR-94499.8270.853042
HSA-MIR-548AJ-5P99.7871.123085
HSA-MIR-548F-5P99.7871.023093
HSA-MIR-548G-5P99.7871.123085
HSA-MIR-548X-5P99.7871.123085
HSA-MIR-1273H-5P99.7766.322471
HSA-MIR-4677-5P99.7070.091940
HSA-MIR-30B-3P99.7065.762325
HSA-MIR-3689A-3P99.7065.732306
HSA-MIR-3689B-3P99.7065.712311
HSA-MIR-3689C99.7065.712311
HSA-MIR-6779-5P99.7065.762363
HSA-MIR-447099.6669.351767
HSA-MIR-3158-5P99.6567.511763
HSA-MIR-29899.6367.561916
HSA-MIR-426199.5970.303415
HSA-MIR-7106-5P99.5367.473574
HSA-MIR-4761-5P99.5166.69804

Literature-anchored findings (GeneRIF, showing 40)

  • Cernunnos-XLF is a new Non-homologous End Joining pathway protein, which if mutated results in several conditions -immunodeficiency and developmental anomalies and other conditions, which likely result from inability to repair spontaneous DNA damage. (PMID:16439204)
  • Studies on the binding of XLF and its role in DNA repair. (PMID:16439205)
  • The XLF-encoded protein (XRRC4 like factor, FLJ12610) is involved in DNA double-strand break repair via nonhomologous end-joining and associates with the Ligase IV-XRCC4 complex. XLF is mutated in a number of radiosensitive and immuno-deficient patients. (PMID:16439205)
  • Cernunnos physically interacts with the XRCC4 x DNA-ligase IV complex (PMID:16571728)
  • DNA repair protein involved in lymphocyte activation and cell division. (PMID:16828027)
  • Results show that a truncated transcript of NHEJ1 is expressed in the polymicrogyric patient cells, suggesting a potential dominant negative effect possibly leading to a different phenotype. (PMID:17191205)
  • mutant protein retained its ability to stimulate XRCC4.DNA ligase IV but failed to translocate to the nucleus, and this appears to be the basis for the non-homologous DNA end joining defect in this patient (PMID:17317666)
  • Cernunnos/XRCC4-like factor promotes a mismatched end (MEnd) DNA ligase activity to facilitate joining and to preserve DNA sequence. (PMID:17470781)
  • Review focuses on the proteins involved in the NHEJ pathway, the major pathway for repair of DNA double-strand breaks, which can become molecular targets in the treatment of cancer. (PMID:17504121)
  • Data shows that an intact XRCC4/ligase IV complex is necessary for Cernunnos-XLF mobilization to damaged chromatin. (PMID:17720816)
  • The XLF dimer adopts a similar overall structure to that of the XRCC4 dimer, supporting the contention that these two factors are related in function and have arisen from a common evolutionary ancestor. (PMID:18046455)
  • Mutational analysis of XLF and XRCC4 reveals a potential interaction interface, suggesting a mechanism for how XLF stimulates the ligation of mismatched ends. (PMID:18158905)
  • REVIEW: Role and regulation of XLF (PMID:18335491)
  • The major phosphorylation sites in XLF, serine 245 is phosphorylated by DNA-PK, while serine 251 is phosphorylated by Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM), in vivo. (PMID:18644470)
  • Results implicate XLF as a C-NHEJ factor but also indicate that developing mouse lymphocytes harbor cell-type-specific factors/pathways that compensate for the absence of XLF function during V(D)J recombination. (PMID:18775323)
  • the heads and coiled-coil regions of Cernunnos and X4 are not interchangeable, and they suggest specific roles for each in NHEJ (PMID:19103754)
  • role of Cernunnos/XLF in repair of DSBs and maintenance of genomic stability under replication stress conditions (PMID:19223975)
  • Recombinant Cernunnos protein restored gap filling and end joining of partially complementary overhangs, and stimulated joining of cohesive ends more than twentyfold. (PMID:19420065)
  • a natural mutator variant of human DNA polymerase lambda promotes chromosomal instability by compromising NHEJ (PMID:19806195)
  • identified three amino acids (Arg(64), Leu(65), and Leu(115)) essential for the interaction with X4 and the proper function of Cernunnos (PMID:20558749)
  • Patients with NBS-like phenotypes may have mutations in the NHEJ1 gene including multiexon deletions, and show that considerable clinical variability could be observed even within the same family. (PMID:20597108)
  • NHEJ in human embryonic stem cells is largely independent of ATM, DNA-PKcs, and PARP but dependent on XRCC4 with repair fidelity several-fold greater than in astrocytes. (PMID:20844317)
  • Data show that the heterodimeric domain of Ku was sufficient for the recruitment of XLF to DSBs and for the interaction of Ku with XLF. (PMID:21349273)
  • Regulation of Double Strand Break repair by EGFR involves both the NHEJ and HR pathway, and appears to occur in most tumor cell lines regardless of p53 and K-Ras mutation status. (PMID:21665306)
  • X-ray structure reveals a filament arrangement for XRCC4(1-157) and Cernunnos(1-224) homodimers mediated by repeated interactions through their N-terminal head domains. (PMID:21768349)
  • molecular mechanism for XLF-XRCC4 stimulation of DNA ligation. (PMID:21775435)
  • Data show that XLF and XRCC4 dimers interact through their head domains and form an alternating left-handed helical structure with polypeptide coiled coils and pseudo-dyads of individual XLF and XRCC4 dimers at right angles to the helical axis. (PMID:21936820)
  • Multiple truncations of the XLF and XRCC4 proteins were cocrystallized, but yielded low-resolution diffraction (~20 A) (PMID:22102241)
  • Evidence for how XRCC4-XLF complexes robustly bridge DNA molecules. (PMID:22287571)
  • A suggested link between defects in the Cernunnos-dependent nonhomologous end-joining pathway and aberrant class switch recombination or switch translocations during the development of B cell malignancies. (PMID:22312109)
  • Cernunnos deficiency results in chronic activation of the DNA damage response, P53-driven upregulation of proapoptotic factors, leading to decreased thymocyte viability and a qualitative alteration of the T cell repertoire in both humans and mice. (PMID:23207905)
  • XRCC4 and XLF form long helical protein filaments suitable for DNA end protection and alignment to facilitate DNA double strand break repair. (Review) (PMID:23442139)
  • Data indicate that Ku70/Ku80 facilitates the cooperative binding of multiple XRCC4/Ligase IV (XL) and XLF molecules to DNA. (PMID:23620595)
  • An induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) model of XLF deficiency, which accurately replicates the double-strand break repair deficiency observed in XLF syndrome patients, is reported. (PMID:23818183)
  • Human XLF is a non-essential, but critical, classic non-homologous end-joining -repair factor. (PMID:24461734)
  • Werner syndrome protein positively regulates XRCC4-like factor transcription. (PMID:24626809)
  • PC4 protects esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells from IR-induced death by enhancing the nonhomologous end joining-promoting activity of XLF. (PMID:25321468)
  • Phosphorylation of XLF impairs non-homologous end-joining DNA repair. (PMID:25661488)
  • The data suggest that XLF has multiple functions in DNA repair, and they offer potential explanations for the pleiotropic phenotypes associated with XLF deficiency. (PMID:26100018)
  • XLF has an important role during V(D)J recombination. (PMID:27281794)

Cross-species orthologs

3 orthologs

OrganismSymbolGene ID
danio_rerionhej1ENSDARG00000058893
mus_musculusNhej1ENSMUSG00000026162
rattus_norvegicusNhej1ENSRNOG00000018162

Protein

Protein identifiers

Non-homologous end-joining factor 1Q9H9Q4 (reviewed: Q9H9Q4)

Alternative names: Protein cernunnos, XRCC4-like factor

All UniProt accessions (6): A0A8V8TMZ4, C9JWV4, F8WEB8, G5E9Q8, H7C0G7, Q9H9Q4

UniProt curated annotations — full annotation on UniProt →

Function. DNA repair protein involved in DNA non-homologous end joining (NHEJ); it is required for double-strand break (DSB) repair and V(D)J recombination and is also involved in telomere maintenance. Plays a key role in NHEJ by promoting the ligation of various mismatched and non-cohesive ends. Together with PAXX, collaborates with DNA polymerase lambda (POLL) to promote joining of non-cohesive DNA ends. May act in concert with XRCC5-XRCC6 (Ku) to stimulate XRCC4-mediated joining of blunt ends and several types of mismatched ends that are non-complementary or partially complementary. In some studies, has been shown to associate with XRCC4 to form alternating helical filaments that bridge DNA and act like a bandage, holding together the broken DNA until it is repaired. Alternatively, it has also been shown that rather than forming filaments, a single NHEJ1 dimer interacts through both head domains with XRCC4 to promote the close alignment of DNA ends. The XRCC4-NHEJ1/XLF subcomplex binds to the DNA fragments of a DSB in a highly diffusive manner and robustly bridges two independent DNA molecules, holding the broken DNA fragments in close proximity to one other. The mobility of the bridges ensures that the ends remain accessible for further processing by other repair factors. Binds DNA in a length-dependent manner.

Subunit / interactions. Homodimer; mainly exists as a homodimer when not associated with XRCC4. Interacts with XRCC4; the interaction is direct and is mediated via a head-to-head interaction between N-terminal head regions. Component of the core long-range non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) complex (also named DNA-PK complex) composed of PRKDC, LIG4, XRCC4, XRCC6/Ku70, XRCC5/Ku86 and NHEJ1/XLF. Additional component of the NHEJ complex includes PAXX. Following autophosphorylation, PRKDC dissociates from DNA, leading to formation of the short-range NHEJ complex, composed of LIG4, XRCC4, XRCC6/Ku70, XRCC5/Ku86 and NHEJ1/XLF. Interacts with POLL (DNA polymerase lambda); promoting POLL recruitment to double-strand breaks (DSBs) and stimulation of the end-filling activity of POLL.

Subcellular location. Nucleus. Chromosome.

Tissue specificity. Ubiquitously expressed.

Post-translational modifications. Phosphorylated by PRKDC at the C-terminus in response to DNA damage. Phosphorylations by PRKDC at the C-terminus of XRCC4 and NHEJ1/XLF are highly redundant and regulate ability of the XRCC4-NHEJ1/XLF subcomplex to bridge DNA. Phosphorylation does not prevent interaction with XRCC4 but disrupts ability to bridge DNA and promotes detachment from DNA.

Disease relevance. Immunodeficiency 124, severe combined (IMD124) [MIM:611291] A form of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of rare congenital disorders characterized by impairment of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity, leukopenia and low or absent antibody levels. Patients with SCID present in infancy with recurrent, persistent infections by opportunistic organisms. The common characteristic of all types of SCID is absence of T-cell-mediated cellular immunity due to a defect in T- cell development. IMD124 is characterized by a profound T- and B- lymphocytopenia associated with increased cellular sensitivity to ionizing radiation, shortened telomeres and premature senescence of hematopoietic stem cells, microcephaly and growth retardation. Some patients may manifest SCID with sensitivity to ionizing radiation without microcephaly and mild growth retardation, probably due to hypomorphic NHEJ1 variants. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Microphthalmia/coloboma 13 (MCOPCB13) [MIM:620968] A form of colobomatous microphthalmia, a disorder of eye formation, ranging from small size of a single eye to complete bilateral absence of ocular tissues. Ocular abnormalities like coloboma, opacities of the cornea and lens, scaring of the retina and choroid, and other abnormalities may also be present. Ocular colobomas are a set of malformations resulting from abnormal morphogenesis of the optic cup and stalk, and the fusion of the fetal fissure (optic fissure). MCOPCB13 is an autosomal recessive form characterized by variable ocular anomalies, even between eyes within the same patient. Patients may also exhibit high myopia, strabismus, nystagmus, and/or retinal pigmentary changes and atrophy. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by a homozygous NHEJ1 intronic variant that disrupts a conserved enhancer of IHH expression (i8), a gene known to be involved in eye development in mice. A chromosomal aberration involving NHEJ1 is found in a patient with polymicrogyria. Translocation t(2;7)(q35;p22).

Domain organisation. The coiled-coil region mediates homodimerization. The Leu-lock (Leu-115) site inserts into a hydrophobic pocket in XRCC4. The XLM motif (also called the KBM motif or KBMX motif) and the interior region of the C-terminal tail preceding the XLM motif are essential for DNA end joining. The sequence of the C-terminal tail is not critical for its role in end joining but it must be sufficiently long to interact with XRCC4 and to stabilize the interaction of XRCC4 with LIG4. A single XLM motif and C-terminal tail is sufficient to promote end joining.

Miscellaneous. Was named ‘Cernunnos’ after the enigmatic Celtic god of hunting, the underworld and fertility.

Similarity. Belongs to the XRCC4-XLF family. XLF subfamily.

Isoforms (2)

UniProt IDNamesCanonical?
Q9H9Q4-11yes
Q9H9Q4-22

RefSeq proteins (3): NP_001364427, NP_001364428, NP_079058* (*=MANE)

Domains & families (InterPro)

IDNameType
IPR015381XLF-like_NDomain
IPR038051XRCC4-like_N_sfHomologous_superfamily
IPR052287NHEJ_factorFamily
IPR053829XLF-like_CCDomain

Pfam: PF09302, PF21928

UniProt features (92 total): mutagenesis site 48, helix 10, sequence variant 9, modified residue 7, strand 7, region of interest 3, compositionally biased region 2, chain 1, splice variant 1, coiled-coil region 1, short sequence motif 1, sequence conflict 1, site 1

Structure

Experimental structures (PDB)

26 structures.

PDBMethodResolution (Å)
2QM4X-RAY DIFFRACTION2.3
2R9AX-RAY DIFFRACTION2.5
7ZYGELECTRON MICROSCOPY2.68
6ERHX-RAY DIFFRACTION2.8
9CQ3ELECTRON MICROSCOPY2.8
9N81ELECTRON MICROSCOPY2.8
6ERGX-RAY DIFFRACTION2.9
9CQ6ELECTRON MICROSCOPY3.1
9N83ELECTRON MICROSCOPY3.1
9N82ELECTRON MICROSCOPY3.3
9CQCELECTRON MICROSCOPY3.4
9IOLELECTRON MICROSCOPY3.46
3RWRX-RAY DIFFRACTION3.94
9IAXELECTRON MICROSCOPY3.97
3SR2X-RAY DIFFRACTION3.97
7NFCELECTRON MICROSCOPY4.14
7NFEELECTRON MICROSCOPY4.29
8EZAELECTRON MICROSCOPY4.39
8BHVELECTRON MICROSCOPY4.51
7LT3ELECTRON MICROSCOPY4.6
8BHYELECTRON MICROSCOPY5.33
3Q4FX-RAY DIFFRACTION5.5
8BOTELECTRON MICROSCOPY7.76
7LSYELECTRON MICROSCOPY8.4
3W03X-RAY DIFFRACTION8.49
8EZBELECTRON MICROSCOPY8.9

Predicted structure (AlphaFold)

ModelpLDDTFraction very-high
AF-Q9H9Q4-F182.660.66

Functional residue map

Curated UniProt residues grouped by drug-discovery relevance — catalytic, ligand-binding, modification, and mutation-validated positions. Source: UniProtKB sequence features.

Catalytic / active sites (1): 115 (leu-lock)

Post-translational modifications (7): 203, 245, 251, 263, 266, 287, 132

Mutagenesis-validated functional residues (48):

PositionPhenotype
11does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
13does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
15does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
24does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
26abolished ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
37does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
40does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
41does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
43does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
61does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
64–65abolished interaction with xrcc4.
64abolished ability to repair double-strand breaks (dsbs). abolished interaction with xrcc4. abolished ability to particip
64does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
65abolished ability to repair double-strand breaks (dsbs). abolished ability to participate in v(d)j recombination. decrea
105does not affect ability to repair double-strand breaks (dsbs). does not affect interaction with xrcc4.
111does not affect ability to repair double-strand breaks (dsbs). does not affect interaction with xrcc4.
111does not affect interaction with xrcc4.
115impaired ability to repair double-strand breaks (dsbs). abolished ability to bridge dna. some studies show lack of inter
115impaired ability to repair double-strand breaks (dsbs). abolished ability to bridge dna. abolished ability to participat
116does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
117does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
117abolished ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
118does not affect ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
119abolished ability to participate in v(d)j recombination.
132in 6a mutant; abolished phosphorylation; does not affect ability to repair double-strand breaks (dsbs), possibly because

Function

Pathways and Gene Ontology

Reactome pathways

1 pathways

IDPathway
R-HSA-5693571Nonhomologous End-Joining (NHEJ)

MSigDB gene sets: 325 (showing top): MORF_ITGA2, GOBP_CHROMOSOME_ORGANIZATION, GOBP_RESPONSE_TO_IONIZING_RADIATION, GOBP_B_CELL_ACTIVATION, GOBP_TELOMERE_ORGANIZATION, MORF_RAD51L3, GOBP_POSITIVE_REGULATION_OF_CATALYTIC_ACTIVITY, GOBP_POSITIVE_REGULATION_OF_MOLECULAR_FUNCTION, MORF_CTSB, GOBP_IMMUNOGLOBULIN_PRODUCTION, MORF_IL4, MORF_PRKCA, GOBP_DNA_DAMAGE_RESPONSE, GOBP_SOMATIC_DIVERSIFICATION_OF_IMMUNE_RECEPTORS, GOBP_RESPONSE_TO_RADIATION

GO Biological Process (11): telomere maintenance (GO:0000723), double-strand break repair via nonhomologous end joining (GO:0006303), central nervous system development (GO:0007417), response to ionizing radiation (GO:0010212), B cell differentiation (GO:0030183), T cell differentiation (GO:0030217), immunoglobulin V(D)J recombination (GO:0033152), positive regulation of ligase activity (GO:0051351), DNA repair (GO:0006281), double-strand break repair (GO:0006302), DNA damage response (GO:0006974)

GO Molecular Function (4): DNA binding (GO:0003677), DNA end binding (GO:0045027), DNA polymerase binding (GO:0070182), protein binding (GO:0005515)

GO Cellular Component (8): fibrillar center (GO:0001650), nucleus (GO:0005634), nucleoplasm (GO:0005654), DNA-dependent protein kinase-DNA ligase 4 complex (GO:0005958), DNA ligase IV complex (GO:0032807), site of double-strand break (GO:0035861), nonhomologous end joining complex (GO:0070419), chromosome (GO:0005694)

Reactome top-level categories

Rollup of top-1 pathways:

CategoryPathways
DNA Double-Strand Break Repair1

GO top-level categories

Rollup of top GO terms by namespace:

CategoryTerms
DNA metabolic process2
lymphocyte differentiation2
cellular anatomical structure2
nonhomologous end joining complex2
nuclear protein-containing complex2
telomere organization1
double-strand break repair1
nervous system development1
system development1
response to radiation1
B cell activation1
T cell activation1
somatic recombination of immunoglobulin gene segments1
V(D)J recombination1
ligase activity1
positive regulation of catalytic activity1
DNA damage response1
DNA repair1
cellular response to stress1
nucleic acid binding1
DNA binding1
enzyme binding1
binding1
nucleolus1
intracellular membrane-bounded organelle1
nuclear lumen1
site of DNA damage1
intracellular protein-containing complex1
DNA repair complex1
intracellular membraneless organelle1

Protein interactions and networks

STRING

1264 interactions, top by confidence (×1000):

Protein AProtein BPartner UniProtScore
NHEJ1LIG4P49917999
NHEJ1XRCC4Q13426999
NHEJ1PRKDCP78527997
NHEJ1PAXXQ9BUH6997
NHEJ1XRCC6P12956994
NHEJ1XRCC5P13010987
NHEJ1DCLRE1CQ96SD1924
NHEJ1APLFQ8IW19879
NHEJ1TP53BP1Q12888809
NHEJ1RBBP8Q99708793
NHEJ1APTXQ7Z2E3788
NHEJ1ATMQ13315775
NHEJ1H2AXP16104740
NHEJ1PNKPQ96T60734
NHEJ1MDC1Q14676722

IntAct

21 interactions, top by confidence:

ABTypeScore
XRCC4NHEJ1psi-mi:“MI:2364”(proximity)0.870
NHEJ1XRCC4psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.870
XRCC4NHEJ1psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.870
NHEJ1XRCC5psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.710
NHEJ1XRCC5psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.710
NHEJ1LIG4psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.690
LIG4NHEJ1psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.690
NHEJ1NHEJ1psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.400
FOXB1MACROH2A1psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
XRCC6psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
NHEJ1H2AXpsi-mi:“MI:0403”(colocalization)0.270

BioGRID (27): NHEJ1 (Synthetic Growth Defect), NHEJ1 (Affinity Capture-MS), NHEJ1 (Affinity Capture-MS), NHEJ1 (Affinity Capture-MS), NHEJ1 (Two-hybrid), XRCC4 (Two-hybrid), NHEJ1 (Affinity Capture-Western), LIG4 (Affinity Capture-Western), NHEJ1 (Affinity Capture-Western), NHEJ1 (Affinity Capture-Western), NHEJ1 (Affinity Capture-Western), NHEJ1 (FRET), XRCC4 (FRET), XRCC4 (Affinity Capture-Western), NHEJ1 (Affinity Capture-Western)

ESM2 similar proteins: A0A1L8ENT6, A2BGP7, A2CJ06, B1H1W9, F6RRD7, O00124, O55036, P54274, Q1LV50, Q1LWH4, Q1T7B8, Q28HU3, Q3KNJ2, Q3U1D0, Q3US16, Q4KLN8, Q4V832, Q5I0E6, Q5I2W8, Q5NVA9, Q5RA37, Q5RET9, Q5XI46, Q5ZIN2, Q6AYI4, Q6DRL4, Q6IQ49, Q6IRN0, Q6NV18, Q6P1H6, Q7Z2Z1, Q7Z4M0, Q8BJW7, Q8BKT3, Q8BMG1, Q8BMI4, Q8BQ33, Q8IXW5, Q8K1J5, Q8VC34

Diamond homologs: A0A1L8ENT6, Q3KNJ2, Q6AYI4, Q6NV18, Q9H9Q4

SIGNOR signaling

5 interactions.

AEffectBMechanism
ATMunknownNHEJ1phosphorylation
PRKDCunknownNHEJ1phosphorylation
AKT1“down-regulates quantity by destabilization”NHEJ1phosphorylation
SCF-betaTRCP“down-regulates quantity by destabilization”NHEJ1ubiquitination
NHEJ1“up-regulates activity”“Lig4-Xrcc4 complex”binding

Disease & clinical

Clinical variants and AI predictions

ClinVar

244 variants total. Per-class counts are floors (≥ shown; pagination cap):

ClassificationCount (floor)
Pathogenic26
Likely pathogenic13
Uncertain significance84
Likely benign77
Benign29

Top pathogenic / likely-pathogenic (30)

Variant IDHGVSClassification
1453461NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.670_671del (p.Gln224fs)Pathogenic
1458287NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.569_570insTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTNNNNNNNNNNCTGTCCTCGTGATACGCCCGCCTCGGCCTCCCAAAGTGCTGGGATTACAGGCGTGAGCCACCGCGCCCGGCCGAAAATTCCTTCTT (p.Leu190fs)Pathogenic
1705616NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.134G>A (p.Trp45Ter)Pathogenic
2030418NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.94C>T (p.Gln32Ter)Pathogenic
2122980NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.75_78dup (p.Val27fs)Pathogenic
2734397NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.526C>T (p.Arg176Ter)Pathogenic
280838NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.324dup (p.Arg109fs)Pathogenic
2968501NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.546del (p.Glu182fs)Pathogenic
3021248NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.75del (p.Lys26fs)Pathogenic
3247343NC_000002.11:g.(?220011382)(220011480_?)delPathogenic
3336660NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.169C>T (p.Arg57Ter)Pathogenic
3336661NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.236T>C (p.Leu79Pro)Pathogenic
3336662NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.233dup (p.Asn78fs)Pathogenic
3720410NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.501C>A (p.Tyr167Ter)Pathogenic
418719NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.570_573dup (p.Gln192fs)Pathogenic
419273NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.530-2A>TPathogenic
424561NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.350del (p.Phe117fs)Pathogenic
4735399NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.31C>T (p.Gln11Ter)Pathogenic
4766092NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.489_490del (p.Glu163fs)Pathogenic
536739NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.643C>T (p.Gln215Ter)Pathogenic
845632NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.369C>A (p.Cys123Ter)Pathogenic
982NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.367T>C (p.Cys123Arg)Pathogenic
983NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.532C>T (p.Arg178Ter)Pathogenic
984NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.177+1_177+3delinsTTPathogenic
984380NC_000002.12:g.219102933_219134970dupPathogenic
985NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.11dup (p.Glu5fs)Pathogenic
1466691NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.530-1G>ALikely pathogenic
1484040NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.529+1G>ALikely pathogenic
1809806NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.588+18131A>GLikely pathogenic
2030417NM_024782.3(NHEJ1):c.390+1G>ALikely pathogenic

SpliceAI

1765 predictions. Top by Δscore:

VariantEffectΔscore
2:219076454:CC:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219076455:CC:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219076456:C:CCacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219076456:CT:Cacceptor_loss1.0000
2:219077240:ACT:Adonor_loss1.0000
2:219077241:CTC:Cdonor_loss1.0000
2:219077242:TCA:Tdonor_loss1.0000
2:219077242:TCAC:Tdonor_loss1.0000
2:219077243:CA:Cdonor_loss1.0000
2:219077244:A:ACdonor_gain1.0000
2:219077244:A:Cdonor_loss1.0000
2:219077245:C:CCdonor_gain1.0000
2:219077362:CTC:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219077363:TC:Tacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219077363:TCC:Tacceptor_loss1.0000
2:219077364:CC:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219077365:C:Aacceptor_loss1.0000
2:219077365:C:CCacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219077365:C:CGacceptor_loss1.0000
2:219077366:T:Cacceptor_loss1.0000
2:219077372:C:CTacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219077373:A:Tacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219078087:A:ACdonor_gain1.0000
2:219078088:C:CCdonor_gain1.0000
2:219078115:TGG:Tdonor_gain1.0000
2:219078202:AGTTT:Aacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219078203:GTTT:Gacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219078204:TTT:Tacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219078205:TT:Tacceptor_gain1.0000
2:219078206:TCTG:Tacceptor_loss1.0000

AlphaMissense

1947 scored. Top likely-pathogenic:

VariantProtein changeam_pathogenicity
2:219157507:A:GW119R0.992
2:219157507:A:TW119R0.992
2:219158326:A:GW13R0.991
2:219158326:A:TW13R0.991
2:219147707:T:AK160I0.981
2:219147706:T:AK160N0.980
2:219147706:T:GK160N0.980
2:219157676:G:CN62K0.980
2:219157676:G:TN62K0.980
2:219158193:C:GR57P0.980
2:219158324:C:AW13C0.979
2:219158324:C:GW13C0.979
2:219147757:A:CS143R0.978
2:219147757:A:TS143R0.978
2:219147759:T:GS143R0.978
2:219078133:A:TV221D0.975
2:219157500:A:GF121S0.975
2:219158285:C:AK26N0.975
2:219158285:C:GK26N0.975
2:219146716:A:CF184L0.972
2:219146716:A:TF184L0.972
2:219146718:A:GF184L0.972
2:219158202:A:TV54D0.972
2:219157505:C:AW119C0.969
2:219157505:C:GW119C0.969
2:219157512:A:GF117S0.969
2:219158191:C:GA58P0.968
2:219157532:A:CS110R0.967
2:219157532:A:TS110R0.967
2:219157534:T:GS110R0.967

dbSNP variants (sampled 300 via entrez): RS1000036236 (2:219161146 C>T), RS1000060614 (2:219125789 C>T), RS1000119008 (2:219159935 G>C), RS1000120795 (2:219072736 C>A,T), RS1000124953 (2:219081216 C>T), RS1000158890 (2:219145715 C>T), RS1000183463 (2:219155139 C>T), RS1000210163 (2:219111597 A>C,G), RS1000215900 (2:219155386 G>C), RS1000273285 (2:219104486 C>T), RS1000283917 (2:219152734 T>C), RS1000298178 (2:219094311 T>A,C), RS1000304347 (2:219104190 T>C), RS1000318000 (2:219107370 G>A), RS1000323513 (2:219073786 G>A)

Disease associations

OMIM: gene MIM:611290 | disease phenotypes: MIM:611291, MIM:620968, MIM:185900

GenCC curated gene-disease

DiseaseClassificationInheritance
Cernunnos-XLF deficiencyStrongAutosomal recessive

ClinGen Gene-Disease Validity (1)

Expert-panel classifications — Definitive > Strong > Moderate > Limited > Disputed > Refuted.

DiseaseClassificationInheritance
Cernunnos-XLF deficiencyDefinitiveAR

Mondo (5): Cernunnos-XLF deficiency (MONDO:0012650), isolated anophthalmia-microphthalmia syndrome (MONDO:0016764), microphthalmia/coloboma 13 (MONDO:0975809), syndactyly type 1 (MONDO:0008512), severe combined immunodeficiency (MONDO:0015974)

Orphanet (4): Cernunnos-XLF deficiency (Orphanet:169079), Isolated microphthalmia-anophthalmia-coloboma (Orphanet:2542), Syndactyly type 1 (Orphanet:93402), Severe combined immunodeficiency (Orphanet:183660)

HPO phenotypes

95 total (30 of 95 shown, HPO-id order):

HPOTerm
HP:0000007Autosomal recessive inheritance
HP:0000246Sinusitis
HP:0000252Microcephaly
HP:0000320Bird-like facies
HP:0000340Sloping forehead
HP:0000414Bulbous nose
HP:0000444Convex nasal ridge
HP:0000482Microcornea
HP:0000486Strabismus
HP:0000501Glaucoma
HP:0000508Ptosis
HP:0000528Anophthalmia
HP:0000533Chorioretinal atrophy
HP:0000541Retinal detachment
HP:0000545Myopia
HP:0000565Esotropia
HP:0000568Microphthalmia
HP:0000588Optic disc coloboma
HP:0000589Coloboma
HP:0000618Blindness
HP:0000639Nystagmus
HP:0001105Retinal atrophy
HP:0001263Global developmental delay
HP:0001433Hepatosplenomegaly
HP:0001488Bilateral ptosis
HP:0001508Failure to thrive
HP:0001510Growth delay
HP:0001511Intrauterine growth retardation
HP:0001518Small for gestational age
HP:0001744Splenomegaly

GWAS associations

9 associations (top):

StudyTraitp-value
GCST002647_82Height5.000000e-17
GCST002702_35Height1.000000e-23
GCST008839_512Height2.000000e-45
GCST010313_7Serum polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration x sex interaction in metabolic syndrome9.000000e-06
GCST010653_64Thyroid stimulating hormone levels7.000000e-09
GCST012226_195Waist circumference adjusted for body mass index5.000000e-08
GCST012226_197Waist circumference adjusted for body mass index2.000000e-10
GCST90000025_874Appendicular lean mass4.000000e-15
GCST90020028_715Hip circumference adjusted for BMI1.000000e-08

EFO canonical traits (5, from GWAS)

EFO IDTrait name
EFO:0007761docosahexaenoic acid measurement
EFO:0008343sex interaction measurement
EFO:0007789BMI-adjusted waist circumference
EFO:0004980appendicular lean mass
EFO:0008039BMI-adjusted hip circumference

MeSH disease descriptors (2)

DescriptorNameTree numbers
D016511Severe Combined ImmunodeficiencyC16.320.798.750; C16.614.815; C18.452.284.800; C20.673.795.750
C566970Severe Combined Immunodeficiency with Microcephaly, Growth Retardation, and Sensitivity to Ionizing Radiation (supp.)

Drugs & pharmacology

Drug and pharmacology data

Is drug target: no

PharmGKB: 1 entry (VIP=true, CPIC=false)

CTD chemical–gene interactions

23 total (human), top 23 by PubMed support.

ChemicalActions (top 5)PubMed papers
sodium arseniteincreases abundance, increases expression, affects binding, increases reaction, decreases expression (+1 more)3
Valproic Acidaffects expression, decreases expression3
bisphenol Aaffects cotreatment, increases methylation, increases expression, increases reaction2
Benzo(a)pyreneaffects methylation, decreases expression2
aristolochic acid Iincreases expression1
methyleugenoldecreases expression1
beta-lapachonedecreases expression1
nickel chlorideaffects expression1
manganese chlorideaffects cotreatment, increases abundance, increases expression1
CGP 52608affects binding, increases reaction1
Sunitinibincreases expression1
Fulvestrantincreases methylation, affects cotreatment1
Air Pollutantsdecreases expression, increases abundance1
Arsenicaffects cotreatment, increases abundance, increases expression1
Caffeineaffects phosphorylation1
Doxorubicindecreases expression1
Enzyme Inhibitorsdecreases activity, increases O-linked glycosylation1
Manganeseincreases expression, affects cotreatment, increases abundance1
Melatoninincreases expression, increases reaction1
T-2 Toxinincreases expression1
Tretinoindecreases expression1
7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxidedecreases expression1
Particulate Matterdecreases expression, increases abundance1

Cellosaurus cell lines

10 cell lines: 5 cancer cell line, 3 finite cell line, 1 telomerase immortalized cell line, 1 induced pluripotent stem cell

First 10 cell lines (id-ordered, not curated):

CellosaurusNameCategorySex
CVCL_80872BNFinite cell lineFemale
CVCL_80882BNneoFinite cell lineFemale
CVCL_80892BNhTERTTelomerase immortalized cell lineFemale
CVCL_HD85HCT 116 NHEJ1(+/-)Cancer cell lineMale
CVCL_HD86HCT 116 NHEJ1(-/-)Cancer cell lineMale
CVCL_KU24HeLa SilenciX XLFCancer cell lineFemale
CVCL_TA72HAP1 NHEJ1 (-) 1Cancer cell lineMale
CVCL_TA73HAP1 NHEJ1 (-) 2Cancer cell lineMale
CVCL_WX38F07/402Finite cell lineMale
CVCL_WX39F07/402-iPSCInduced pluripotent stem cellMale

Clinical trials (associated diseases)

44 trials via MONDO — disease-level, not drug-specific.

TrialPhaseStatusTitle
NCT00220766PHASE3COMPLETEDRapid Infusion of Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) In Primary Immunodeficiency Patients
NCT01420627PHASE3COMPLETEDEZN-2279 in Patients With ADA-SCID
NCT06940570PHASE3SUSPENDEDMethadone as an Alternative Treatment for Children Underdoing HSCT
NCT00000603PHASE2COMPLETEDCord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Study (COBLT)
NCT00794508PHASE2COMPLETEDMND-ADA Transduction of CD34+ Cells From Children With ADA-SCID
NCT01182675PHASE2TERMINATEDHematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) for Children With SCID Utilizing Alemtuzumab, Plerixafor & Filgrastim
NCT01529827PHASE2COMPLETEDFludarabine Phosphate, Melphalan, and Low-Dose Total-Body Irradiation Followed by Donor Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With Hematologic Malignancies
NCT01821781PHASE2ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGImmune Disorder HSCT Protocol
NCT02177760PHASE2WITHDRAWNSirolimus Prophylaxis for aGVHD in TME SCID
NCT03619551PHASE2ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGConditioning SCID Infants Diagnosed Early
NCT00008450PHASE1COMPLETEDTotal-Body Irradiation Followed By Cyclosporine and Mycophenolate Mofetil in Treating Patients With Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Undergoing Donor Bone Marrow Transplant
NCT00028236PHASE1COMPLETEDStem Cell Gene Therapy to Treat X-Linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (XSCID)
NCT00152100PHASE1COMPLETEDTransplantation of Hematopoietic Cells in Children With Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome
NCT02860559PHASE1UNKNOWNSafety and Early Efficacy Study of TBX-1400 in Patients With Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
NCT01019876PHASE2/PHASE3COMPLETEDRisk-Adapted Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation For Mixed Donor Chimerism In Patients With Non-Malignant Diseases
NCT00228852PHASE1/PHASE2COMPLETEDIMM 0212: Busulfan With Fludarabine and Antithymocyte Globulin as Preparative Therapy for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for the Treatment of Severe Congenital T-Cell Immunodeficiency
NCT00579137PHASE1/PHASE2TERMINATEDAllogeneic SCT Of Pts With SCID And Other Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders
NCT01129544PHASE1/PHASE2COMPLETEDGene Transfer for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, X-linked (SCID-X1) Using a Self-inactivating (SIN) Gammaretroviral Vector
NCT01852370PHASE1/PHASE2ENROLLING_BY_INVITATIONSequential Cadaveric Lung and Bone Marrow Transplant for Immune Deficiency Diseases
NCT02127892PHASE1/PHASE2TERMINATEDSCID Bu/Flu/ATG Study With T Cell Depletion
NCT02963064PHASE1/PHASE2TERMINATEDJSP191 Antibody Targeting Conditioning in SCID Patients
NCT03513328PHASE1/PHASE2COMPLETEDConditioning Regimen for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation
NCT03538899PHASE1/PHASE2RECRUITINGAutologous Gene Therapy for Artemis-Deficient SCID
NCT03597594PHASE1/PHASE2ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGHaplocompatible Transplant Using TCRα/β Depletion Followed by CD45RA-Depleted Donor Lymphocyte Infusions for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
NCT00001255Not specifiedCOMPLETEDGene Transfer Therapy for Severe Combined Immunodeficieny Disease (SCID) Due to Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) Deficiency: A Natural History Study
NCT00006054Not specifiedTERMINATEDAllogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation in Patients With Primary Immunodeficiencies
NCT00006335Not specifiedCOMPLETEDInfluences on Female Adolescents’ Decisions Regarding Testing for Carrier Status of XSCID
NCT00055172Not specifiedRECRUITINGGenetic Basis of Immunodeficiency
NCT00695279Not specifiedCOMPLETEDLong Term Follow Up Of Patients Who Have Received Gene Therapy Or Gene Marked Products
NCT00845416Not specifiedCOMPLETEDNewborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) in a High-Risk Population
NCT01186913Not specifiedENROLLING_BY_INVITATIONNatural History Study of SCID Disorders
NCT01346150Not specifiedUNKNOWNPatients Treated for SCID (1968-Present)
NCT01652092Not specifiedACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGAllogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Patients With Primary Immune Deficiencies
NCT01953016Not specifiedCOMPLETEDParticipation in a Research Registry for Immune Disorders
NCT02231983Not specifiedUNKNOWNClinical Characteristics and Genetic Profiles of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency in China
NCT02590328Not specifiedCOMPLETEDNeonatal Screening of Severe Combined Immunodeficiencies
NCT04049084Not specifiedENROLLING_BY_INVITATIONAn Observational LTFU Study for Patients Previously Treated With Autologous ex Vivo Gene Therapy for ADA-SCID
NCT04172181Not specifiedUNKNOWNMulti-center Clinical Study of Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation for SCID
NCT04246840Not specifiedCOMPLETEDStudy Through Imaging of Visceral Lymphoid Organs in Patients With SCID Who Have Recieved Bone Marrow Allograft
NCT04331483Not specifiedWITHDRAWNA Study to Assess a Physical Activity Program in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults Requiring Hematopoietic Stem Cell Allografts