EXO1-A multi-tasking eukaryotic nuclease

Exo1 was first isolated as a 5' --> 3' exonuclease activity induced during meiosis in fission yeast and since that time has been implicated in a multitude of eukaryotic DNA metabolic pathways that include DNA repair, recombination, replication, and telomere integrity. Involvement in multiple pathways affecting genomic stability makes EXO1 a logical target for mutation during oncogenesis. Here, we review studies in several experimental systems that shed light on the role of Exo1 in these DNA transaction pathways, particularly those that may relate to oncogenesis.