RAD17

The protein encoded by this gene is highly similar to the gene product of Schizosaccharomyces pombe rad17, a cell cycle checkpoint gene required for cell cycle arrest and DNA damage repair in response to DNA damage. This protein shares strong similarity with DNA replication factor C (RFC) and can form a complex with RFCs. This protein binds to chromatin prior to DNA damage and is phosphorylated by ATR after the damage. This protein recruits the RAD1-RAD9-HUS1 checkpoint protein complex onto chromatin after DNA damage, which may be required for its phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of this protein is required for the DNA-damage-induced cell cycle G2 arrest. It is also thought to be a critical early event during checkpoint signaling in DNA-damaged cells. Eight alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene, which encode four distinct proteins, have been reported.

Meiosis

During meiosis in yeast and in mammals, RAD17 protein functions as a DNA damage sensor promoting DNA checkpoint control. In yeast, the RAD17 protein facilitates proper assembly of the meiotic crossover recombination complex containing the RAD51 protein, thus promoting efficient repair of meiotic DNA double-strand breaks. During male meiosis in maize (Zea mays), the ZmRAD17 gene is involved in repair of DNA double strand breaks, likely by promoting synaptonemal complex assembly.

RAD17 has been shown to interact with:

• Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related,
• Ataxia telangiectasia mutated,
• HUS1,
• NHP2L1,
• POLE,
• RAD1 homolog, and
• RAD9A.