Ku70/Ku80 N-terminal domain. The Ku78 heterodimer (composed of Ku70 and Ku80) contributes to genomic integrity through its ability to bind DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) in a preferred orientation. DSB's are repaired by either homologues recombination or non-homologues end joining and facilitate repair by the non-homologous end-joining pathway (NHEJ). The Ku heterodimer is required for accurate process that tends to preserve the sequence at the junction. Ku78 is found in all three kingdoms of life. However, only the eukaryotic proteins have a vWA domain fused to them at their N-termini. The vWA domain is not involved in DNA binding but may very likey mediate Ku78's interactions with other proteins. Members of this subgroup lack the conserved MIDAS motif.