[Molecular mechanisms of double strand break repair in eukaryotes].

Genome stability is of primary importance for the survival and for the proper functioning of all organisms. Double strand breaks (DSBs) arise spontaneously during growth, or can be created by external insults. In response to even a single DSB, organisms must trigger series of events to promote repair of the DNA damage in order to survive and restore chromosome integrity. In doing so, cells must regulate a fine balance between potentially competing DSB repair pathways. Much of what we know today on the mechanisms of repair in eukaryotes come from studies carried out in budding yeast. In this review, the main attention is focused on exciting new work eminating from yeast research that provides fresh insights into the DSB repair process.