At stalled replication forks in human cells, DNA-end processing or end protection by Mre11 depends on protein partners, including breast cancer type 2 susceptibility protein (BRCA2) and Fanconi anemia (FA) proteins BRCA1 and FANCD1 (Schlacher et al. 2011; Schlacher et al. 2012). The gene discussed is BRCA2; the disease is Fanconi anemia.