REV7: A Small but Mighty Regulator of Genome Maintenance and Cancer Development

REV7, a HORMA-domain protein, plays a critical role in maintaining genome stability through its involvement in DNA damage tolerance, cell cycle regulation, and double-strand break repair. It is a key component of polymerase ζ and the shieldin complex, contributing to accurate cell cycle progression and repair pathway choice. REV7's functions are linked to various cancers, such as ovarian, glioma, breast, melanoma, and small-cell lung cancer, where its high expression correlates with poor prognosis and treatment resistance. However, suppressing REV7 may increase sensitivity to chemotherapeutics like cisplatin, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. This review explores REV7's diverse roles in genome maintenance and its implications in cancer development and treatment resistance.