DNA ligase involved in DNA non-homologous end joining (NHEJ); required for double-strand break (DSB) repair and V(D)J recombination. Catalyzes the NHEJ ligation step of the broken DNA during DSB repair by resealing the DNA breaks after the gap filling is completed. Joins single-strand breaks in a double-stranded polydeoxynucleotide in an ATP-dependent reaction. LIG4 is mechanistically flexible: it can ligate nicks as well as compatible DNA overhangs alone, while in the presence of XRCC4, it can ligate ends with 2-nucleotides (nt) microhomology and 1-nt gaps. Forms a subcomplex with XRCC4; the LIG4-XRCC4 subcomplex is responsible for the NHEJ ligation step and XRCC4 enhances the joining activity of LIG4. Binding of the LIG4-XRCC4 complex to DNA ends is dependent on the assembly of the DNA-dependent protein kinase complex DNA-PK to these DNA ends. LIG4 regulates nuclear localization of XRCC4.
Subcellular locations: Nucleus