The large subunit of replication factor C (Rfc1p/Cdc44p) is required for DNA replication and DNA repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
We used genetic and biochemical techniques to characterize the phenotypes associated with mutations affecting the large subunit of replication factor C (Cdc44p or Rfc1p) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We demonstrate that Cdc44p is required for both DNA replication and DNA repair in vivo. Cold-sensitive cdc44 mutants experience a delay in traversing S phase at the restrictive temperature following alpha factor arrest; although mutant cells eventually accumulate with a G2/M DNA content, they undergo a cell cycle arrest and initiate neither mitosis nor a new round of DNA synthesis. cdc44 mutants also exhibit an elevated level of spontaneous mutation, and they are sensitive both to the DNA damaging agent methylmethane sulfonate and to exposure to UV radiation. After exposure to UV radiation, cdc44 mutants at the restrictive temperature contain higher levels of single-stranded DNA breaks than do wild-type cells. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that Cdc44p is involved in repairing gaps in the DNA after the excision of damaged bases. Thus, Cdc44p plays an important role in both DNA replication and DNA repair in vivo.
McAlear
M A
MA
Department of Pharmacology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0651, USA.
Tuffo
K M
KM
Holm
C
C
D001483:Base Sequence; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D004249:DNA Damage; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004260:DNA Repair; D004261:DNA Replication; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D011487:Protein Conformation; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051818:Replication Protein C; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
C096816:BCL2-related protein A1; D017931:DNA Primers; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C096063:MATA1 protein, S cerevisiae; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D051818:Replication Protein C