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Updated: Aug 3, 2026
10:59
Visualizing and Quantifying Endonuclease-Based Site-Specific DNA Damage
Published on: August 21, 2021
Genomic instability and endoreduplication triggered by RAD17 deletion
Xin Wang1, Lee Zou, Huyong Zheng
1Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Genes & Development
|April 4, 2003
Summary
Rad17 is crucial for maintaining genomic stability by controlling cell division and preventing DNA damage. Its absence leads to severe chromosomal abnormalities and impacts cell viability.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cell cycle checkpoints are vital for preserving genomic stability.
- Rad17, part of the Rad17/Rfc2-5 clamp loader, is essential for DNA damage and replication stress responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Rad17 in maintaining genomic integrity.
- To establish somatic conditional alleles of RAD17 in human cells.
Main Methods:
- Generation of somatic conditional alleles for RAD17 in human cells.
- Analysis of chromosomal aberrations and ploidy control in Rad17-deficient cells.
Main Results:
- RAD17 is essential for the Atr-mediated checkpoint and overall cell viability.
- Loss of RAD17 results in acute chromosomal aberrations.
- Cells lacking RAD17 exhibit high rates of endoreduplication.
Conclusions:
- RAD17 plays a critical role in linking cell cycle checkpoints to ploidy control.
- RAD17 is indispensable for the maintenance of chromosomal stability.
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