Spontaneous homologous recombination is decreased in Rad51C-deficient hamster cells.
The Chinese hamster cell mutant, CL-V4B that is mutated in the Rad51 paralog gene, Rad51C (RAD51L2), has been described to exhibit increased sensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents, genomic instability, and an impaired Rad51 foci formation in response to DNA damage. To directly examine an effect of the Rad51C protein on homologous recombination (HR) in mammalian cells, we compared the frequencies and rates of spontaneous HR in CL-V4B cells and in parental wildtype V79B cells, using a recombination reporter plasmid in host cell reactivation assays. Our results demonstrate that HR is reduced but not abolished in the CL-V4B mutant. We thus, provide direct evidence for a role of mammalian Rad51C in HR processes. The reduced HR events described here help to explain the deficient phenotypes observed in Rad51C mutants and support an accessory role of Rad51C in Rad51-mediated recombination.
Drexler
Guido A
GA
Institute of Molecular Radiobiology, GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Neuherberg D-85758, Germany.
Rogge
Sandra
S
Beisker
Wolfgang
W
Eckardt-Schupp
Friederike
F
Zdzienicka
Malgorzata Z
MZ
Fritz
Eberhard
E
D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000172:deficiency*; D005347:Fibroblasts; D051135:Rad51 Recombinase; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004247:DNA; D051135:Rad51 Recombinase