PALB2

PALB2 (Partner and Localizer of BRCA2) is a nuclear protein also known as FANCN (Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group N). It acts as a critical scaffold in homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair: it bridges BRCA1 and BRCA2, enabling BRCA2 localization to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and supporting RAD51 filament assembly for precise DSB repair.
PALB2 is central to the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway and HR cascade. Biallelic mutations cause FA subtype N, while monoallelic variants increase risks of breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. PARP inhibitors (e.g., olaparib) exhibit synthetic lethality in PALB2-mutant cancers, with ongoing clinical trials expanding their use in these patient populations.