title: Use of siRNA to study the function of MDC1 in DNA damage responses.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Zhenkun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.forename: Junjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004249:DNA Damage; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C413163:MDC1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D015534:Trans-Activators