XRCC6 and neurodegenerative disease: Previous studies have shown that Ku70 has anti-apoptotic activity by suppressing the intrinsic cell death signal mediated by Bax, in addition to its role in NHEJ DNA DSB repair.8 Our results support the hypothesis that the absence of Ku70 leads to Bax hyperactivation, giving rise to the development of degenerative diseases that culminate in an early death in ku70−/− mice.