title: SepBCTF4 is required for the formation of DNA-damage-induced UvsCRAD51 foci in Aspergillus nidulans.
abstract: SepB is an essential, conserved protein required for chromosomal DNA metabolism in Aspergillus nidulans. Homologs of SepB include yeast Ctf4p and human hAnd-1. Molecular and bioinformatic characterization of these proteins suggests that they act as molecular scaffolds. Furthermore, recent observations implicate the yeast family members in lagging-strand replication and the establishment of sister-chromatid cohesion. Here, we demonstrate that SepB functions in the A. nidulans DNA damage response. In particular, analysis of double mutants reveals that SepB is a member of the UvsC(RAD51) epistasis group. In accord with this prediction, we show that UvsC(RAD51) forms DNA-damage-induced nuclear foci in a manner that requires SepB function. We also provide evidence that implicates SepB in sister-chromatid cohesion, thereby suggesting that cohesion may play a role in regulating the localization and/or assembly of UvsC(RAD51) complexes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, 06030-3205, USA. sharril@unlnotes.unl.edu
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gygax
authors.forename: Camile P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Semighini
authors.forename: Gustavo H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001233:Aspergillus nidulans / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005656:Fungal Proteins