1Human DYRK1A gene encoding Dual-specificity tyrosine (Y)-Regulated Kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is a dosage-2 dependent gene whereby either trisomy or haploinsufficiency result in developmental abnormalities. However, 3 the function and regulation of this important protein kinase are not fully understood. Here we report proteomic 4 analysis of DYRK1A in human cells that revealed a novel role of DYRK1A in the DNA double-strand break 5 (DSB) repair signaling. This novel function of DYRK1A is mediated in part by its interaction with ubiquitin-6 binding protein RNF169 that regulates the choice between homologous recombination (HR) and non-7 homologous end joining (NHEJ) DSB repair. Accumulation of RNF169 at the DSB sites promotes homologous 8 recombination (HR) by limiting the recruitment of the scaffold protein 53BP1 that promotes NHEJ by protecting 9 the DNA ends from resection. Inducible overexpression of active, but not the kinase inactive, DYRK1A in U-2 10 OS cells inhibited accumulation of 53BP1 at the DSB sites in RNF169-dependent manner. Mutation of 11 DYRK1A phosphorylation sites in RNF169 or pharmacological inhibition of DYRK1A using harmine decreased 12 the ability of RNF169 to displace 53BP1 from radiation-induced DSB sites. In order to further investigate the 13 role of DYRK1A in regulation of DNA repair, we used CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knockout of DYRK1A in human 14 and mouse cells. Interestingly, knockout of DYRK1A also caused a defect in 53BP1 DSB recruitment that was 15 independent of RNF169, suggesting that dosage of DYRK1A can influence the DNA repair processes through 16 several mechanisms. U-2 OS cells devoid of DYRK1A displayed an increased DNA repair and HR efficiency, 17 and showed a decreased sensitivity to the PARP inhibitor olaparib when compared to control cells. Given 18 evidence of its altered expression in human cancers, DYRK1A levels could represent a significant determinant 19 of the DNA damaging therapy response. 20 21