Use of siRNA to study the function of MDC1 in DNA damage responses

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology has emerged as a powerful genetic tool to investigate gene function in mammalian cells. Here we use siRNA to study a mediator of DNA damage-checkpoint protein 1 (MDC1), previously known as Kiaa0170 or NFBD1, in DNA damage responses. We show that MDC1 siRNA specifically and efficiently down-regulates MDC1 expression, resulting in defective radiation-induced apoptosis in A549 cells. Transfection with siRNA-resistant MDC1 restores radiation-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that siRNA can be a very useful tool for the exploration of gene function in mammalian checkpoint responses.