Histone post-translational modification and the DNA damage response

DNA is highly vulnerable to spontaneous and environmental timely damage in living cells. DNA damage may cause genetic instability and increase cancer risk if the damages are not repaired timely and efficiently. Human cells possess several DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms to protect the integrity of their genome. Clarification of the mechanisms underlying the DNA damage response following lethal damage will facilitate the identification of therapeutic targets for cancers. Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been indicated to play different roles in the repair of DNA damage. In this context, histone PTMs regulate recruitment of downstream effectors, and facilitate appropriate repair response. This review outlines the current understanding of different histone PTMs in response to DNA damage repair, besides, enumerates the role of new type PTMs such as histone succinylation and crotonylation in regulating DNA damage repair processes.