RAD51
Template:PBB Rad51 is the eukaryotic homolog of the prokaryotic RecA protein. It is well conserved from yeast to humans.
Function
In humans, Rad51 is a 339-amino acid protein that plays a major role in homologous recombination of DNA during double strand break repair. In this process, an ATP dependent DNA strand exchange takes place in which a template strand invades base-paired strands of homologous DNA molecules. Rad51 is involved in the search for homology and strand pairing stages of the process.
Unlike other proteins involved in DNA metabolism, the RecA/Rad51 family forms a helical nucleoprotein filament on DNA. [1]
The structural basis for Rad51 filament formation and its functional mechanism still remain poorly understood.
Pathology
The Rad51 gene is located on chromosome 15 and several alterations of the gene have been associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. The breast cancer susceptibility protein BRCA2 controls the function of Rad51 in the pathway for DNA repair by homologous recombination. [2]
Family
In mammals, seven recA-like genes have been identified: Rad51, Rad51L1/B, Rad51L2/C, Rad51L3/D, XRCC2, XRCC3, Lim15 and DMC1[3]. Of these, with the exception of meiosis-specific DMC1, are essential for development in mammals.
References
- ^ Galkin,V .E. et al. The Rad51/RadA N-Terminal domain activates nucleoprotein filament ATPase activity. Structure 14, pp. 983-992(2006)
- ^ Pellegrini, L. et al. Insights into DNA recombination from the structure of a Rad51-BRCA2 complex. Nature 420,287-293(2002)
- ^ Kawabata,M., Kawabata, T. and Nishibori, M. Role of recA/Rad51 family proteins in mammals. Acta Med.Okayama v59, No.1, pp.1-9(2005)
External links
- RAD51+Protein at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
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