{
  "abstract": "Genome stability is essential for cellular viability yet constantly threatened by DNA-damaging agents. Among these, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are particularly harmful and in S/G2 phases are faithfully repaired through homologous recombination (HR). The RAD51 recombinase forms nucleoprotein filaments on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that performs critical functions in HR. The efficiency of HR depends on precise regulation of RAD51 filament dynamics by accessory factors, including RAD54B, a double-strand DNA-dependent ATPase. Here, using cryogenic electron microscopy, mutagenesis, and biochemical assays, we show that RAD54B stabilizes RAD51–DNA filaments, inhibits RAD51 ATPase activity, and promotes D-loop formation and strand exchange. RAD54B contains two main RAD51-interacting sites and a β-domain that bridges RAD51 protomers, is positioned to contact donor dsDNA, and regulates RAD54B’s ATPase activity. Cellular assays reveal that the RAD51-interacting sites are required for repairing DSBs by HR in human cells. Our findings uncover a modular architecture and mechanistic framework for RAD54B’s critical role in genome maintenance.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 11,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Pengtao Liang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Stephanie Tye",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-2546-8393"
    },
    {
      "name": "Johanna Ertl da Costa",
      "orcid": "0009-0001-4137-3642"
    },
    {
      "name": "Neelam Maharshi",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-9187-3090"
    },
    {
      "name": "Bilge Argunhan"
    },
    {
      "name": "Lucas Kuhlen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Megan Battley"
    },
    {
      "name": "Elizabeth A. McCormack"
    },
    {
      "name": "Wolf-Dietrich Heyer",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-7774-1953"
    },
    {
      "name": "Markus Löbrich",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-3035-4048"
    },
    {
      "name": "Xiaodong Zhang",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-9786-7038"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bfx5xjdca0kdt.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1038/s41467-026-78608-4",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "bfx5xjdca0kdt",
  "issns": [
    "2041-1723"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-78608-4",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|DNA Repair Mechanisms"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221544499",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-78608-4_reference.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-12",
  "publisher": "Springer Science and Business Media LLC",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bfx5xjdca0kdt.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:38Z",
      "native_id": "10.1038/s41467-026-78608-4",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-78608-4"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|DNA Repair Mechanisms",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Structures and molecular mechanisms of RAD54B in modulating homologous recombination",
  "title_text": "Structures and molecular mechanisms of RAD54B in modulating homologous recombination",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:38Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/bfx5xjdca0kdt",
  "venue": "Nature Communications",
  "versions": []
}