Sequence, chromosomal location and expression analysis of the murine homologue of human RAD51L2/RAD51C

The Rad51. protein has been shown to playa vital role in the DNA repair pro cess. In humans, its interaction with proteins like BRCA1 and BRCA2 has pro vided an insight into the mechanism of how these molecules function as tumo r suppressors. Several members of the Rad51 like family have been recently identified, including RAD51L2. This gene has been found to be amplified in breast tumors suggesting its role in tumor progression. Here, we describe t he cloning of the murine homologue of the human RAD51L2/RAD51C gene. Sequen ce analysis has revealed that the murine Rad5112 protein is 86% identical a nd 93% similar to its human homologue. In spite of such high sequence conse rvation, the murine protein lacks the first nine amino acids present in the human protein. We have cloned and confirmed the sequence of the 5 ' end of the murine Rad5112 cDNA using 5 ' RACE technique as well as by sequencing the genomic region flanking the first exon of the murine Rad5112 gene. Nort hern analysis shows that Rad5112 is expressed in several adult tissues as w ell as in embryos at various developmental stages. The murine Rad5112 gene maps to chromosome 11 and is located in the syntenic region of human chromo some 17q22-23, where the human RAD51L2 is present. Published by Elsevier Sc ience B.V.