A naturally occurring human RPA subunit homolog does not support DNA replication or cell-cycle progression

Nucleic Acids Res. 2010 Jan;38(3):846-58. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkp1062. Epub 2009 Nov 26.

Abstract

Replication Protein A (RPA) is a single-stranded DNA-binding protein essential for DNA replication, repair, recombination and cell-cycle regulation. A human homolog of the RPA2 subunit, called RPA4, was previously identified and shown to be expressed in colon mucosal and placental cells; however, the function of RPA4 was not determined. To examine the function of RPA4 in human cells, we carried out knockdown and replacement studies to determine whether RPA4 can substitute for RPA2 in the cell. Unlike RPA2, exogenous RPA4 expression did not support chromosomal DNA replication and lead to cell-cycle arrest in G2/M. In addition, RPA4 localized to sites of DNA repair and reduced gamma-H2AX caused by RPA2 depletion. These studies suggest that RPA4 cannot support cell proliferation but can support processes that maintain the genomic integrity of the cell.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Cycle*
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA Replication*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Genomics
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Replication Protein A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Replication Protein A / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Protein Subunits
  • RPA4 protein, human
  • Replication Protein A
  • RPA2 protein, human