該基因突變與nijmegen破碎綜合征（一種以小頭畸形、生長遲緩、免疫缺陷和癌癥易感性為特征的常染色體隱性染色體不穩定綜合征）有關。編碼蛋白是由5種蛋白質組成的MRE11/RAD50雙鏈斷裂修復復合物的成員。這種基因產物被認為與DNA雙鏈斷裂修復和DNA損傷誘導的檢查點激活有關。
Mutations in this gene are associated with Nijmegen breakage syndrome, an autosomal recessive chromosomal instability syndrome characterized by microcephaly, growth retardation, immunodeficiency, and cancer predisposition. The encoded protein is a member of the MRE11/RAD50 double-strand break repair complex which consists of 5 proteins. This gene product is thought to be involved in DNA double-strand break repair and DNA damage-induced checkpoint activation.