Human DNA helicase HELQ participates in DNA interstrand crosslink tolerance with ATR and RAD51 paralogs

Agents that cause DNA interstrand crosslinks are widely used to treat cancer. Takata et al. show that the DNA helicase HELQ associates with ATR and RAD51 paralogs, which are components of DNA repair pathways, and helps defend human cells against agents that induce DNA interstrand crosslinks.