Cell cycle checkpoint protein RAD17 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RAD17 gene.[5][6]
The protein encoded by this gene is highly similar to the gene product of Schizosaccharomyces pombe rad17, a cell cycle checkpoint gene required for cell cycle arrest and DNA damage repair in response to DNA damage. This protein shares strong similarity with DNA replication factor C (RFC), and can form a complex with RFCs. This protein binds to chromatin prior to DNA damage and is phosphorylated by ATR after the damage. This protein recruits the RAD1-RAD9-HUS1 checkpoint protein complex onto chromatin after DNA damage, which may be required for its phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of this protein is required for the DNA-damage-induced cell cycle G2 arrest, and is thought to be a critical early event during checkpoint signaling in DNA-damaged cells. Eight alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene, which encode four distinct proteins, have been reported.[7]
During meiosis in yeast and in mammals, RAD17 protein functions as a DNA damage sensor promoting DNA checkpoint control.[8] In yeast, the RAD17 protein facilitates proper assembly of the meiotic crossover recombination complex containing the RAD51 protein, thus promoting efficient repair of meiotic DNA double-strand breaks.[9] During male meiosis in maize (Zea mays), the ZmRAD17 gene is involved in repair of DNA double strand breaks, likely by promoting synaptonemal complex assembly.[8]
RAD17 has been shown to interact with: