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Analysis of Cell Cycle Position in Mammalian Cells
12:19

Analysis of Cell Cycle Position in Mammalian Cells

Published on: January 21, 2012

Cell cycle-dependent expression of the mouse Rad51 gene in proliferating cells

A Yamamoto1, T Taki, H Yagi

  • 1Department of Molecular Embryology, Research Institute of Microbial Diseases, Osaka, Japan.

Molecular & General Genetics : MGG
|April 24, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Mouse Rad51 protein is crucial for cell proliferation and DNA repair. Its expression is linked to DNA replication, homologous recombination, and cell cycle progression in various tissues.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The Rad51 gene is a mammalian homologue to bacterial recA and yeast RAD51, vital for homologous recombination and DNA repair.
  • These processes are essential for maintaining genomic stability during mitosis and meiosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression patterns of mouse Rad51 mRNA and protein.
  • To correlate Rad51 expression with cell proliferation and meiotic processes in mice.

Main Methods:

  • Synchronization of mouse m5S cells to examine Rad51 mRNA expression across the cell cycle.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis to detect RAD51 protein localization and expression in various mouse tissues.
  • Stimulation of T and B cell proliferation using mitogens to assess Rad51 mRNA induction.

Main Results:

  • Rad51 mRNA expression was detected from late G1 through M phase in synchronized cells.
  • RAD51 protein was localized to nuclei during the G1-S-G2 phases.
  • Rad51 mRNA expression was induced by mitogen-activated T and B cell proliferation.
  • RAD51 protein was found in proliferating cells in the testis, thymus, spleen, intestine, ovary, and uterus.
  • Expression was also observed in spermatocytes during meiosis and in resting oocytes.

Conclusions:

  • Mouse Rad51 expression is tightly regulated and closely associated with cell proliferation.
  • The protein is likely involved in DNA repair during replication and homologous recombination during meiosis.

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