Role of mouse rad21 and rec8 genes in recombination and ionising radiation response

我们已经培育了一种小鼠，并且正在培育第二种小鼠，这种小鼠缺乏两种特定的基因，即Mrec8和Mrad21。这些基因在哺乳动物中有许多作用。这些作用包括充当将染色体粘在一起的粘合剂，并允许在分离的DNA分子之间交换DNA。后者在生理过程中很重要，如减数分裂期间的遗传交换，但在细胞对DNA损伤的反应中也很重要，特别是DNA螺旋两条链的断裂。在这里提出的研究中，我们将这些小鼠彼此繁殖，并与其他具有特异性的单基因缺陷的小鼠繁殖，这些缺陷会导致DNA链断裂的异常反应。我们将评估不同基因对动物以及来源于动物的细胞对DNA链断裂剂的反应的影响。这些实验有望揭示DNA修复缺陷对细胞和动物稳定性的影响，并可能提供最终有益于癌症患者的信息，特别是那些接受放射治疗的患者。

We have created a line of mice and are creating a second mouse line which lack two specific genes known as Mrec8 and Mrad21. These genes have a number of roles in mammals. These roles include acting as a glue to hold chromosomes together and allowing exchange of DNA between separate DNA molecules. The latter is important in physiological processes such as genetic exchange during meiosis, but also in the response of the cell to DNA damage, specifically, breakages in both strands of the DNA helix. In the studies proposed here, we will breed these mice both with each other and with other mice that have specific, single gene defects which lead to abnormal responses to DNA strand breakages. We shall assess the effects of the different genes on response to DNA strand breaking agents in the animals, as well as in cells which have been derived from the animals. These experiments are expected to shed light onto the consequences of defects in DNA repair for the stability of cells and animals, and may provide information which ultimately benefits cancer patients, especially those having radiotherapy.