Radiosensitization by a dominant negative to DNA polymerase β is DNA polymerase β-independent and XRCC1-dependent

The polβDN acts independently of polβ status and inhibits a pathway, which is dependent on XRCC1, consistent with inhibition of BER and/or SSBR. The data further indicate involvement of other polymerases, which are inhibited by polβDN. Finally, they demonstrate that inhibition of BER and SSBR can increase radiosensitivity, with potential clinical relevance.