RAD51 [MD210]

RAD51 is one of the key factors of DNA repair by homologous recombination and has been shown to have anti-apoptotic activity in tumor cells. RAD51 protein interacts with a variety of tumor suppressor proteins including p53, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Elevated expression of RAD51 enhances radio-resistance of human tumor cells. Overexpression of RAD51 protein in tumor cells renders them resistant against cytotoxic drugs like Cisplatin. RAD51 interacts with BRCA1 and BRCA2 to influence subcellular localization and cellular response to DNA damage. BRCA2 inactivation may be a key event leading to genomic instability and tumorigenesis from deregulation of RAD51. High-level expression of RAD51 has been observed in a variety of human malignancies. RAD51 overexpression correlates with histological grading of the tumor in invasive ductal mammary carcinoma.