Rad9B Activators

Rad9B is a human homolog of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rad9 protein and a component of the Rad9-Rad1-Hus1 (9-1-1) complex, which is structurally similar to the PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) sliding clamp. Rad9B functions as a critical player in the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway, a crucial mechanism that maintains genomic stability by recognizing and repairing DNA lesions.Upon DNA damage, Rad9B is recruited to the site of damage and contributes to the activation of checkpoint signaling pathways. This activation halts cell cycle progression, allowing the cell time to repair the damage before proceeding with division. Rad9B's role is particularly important in the response to double-strand breaks (DSBs), one of the most lethal types of DNA damage.

The protein is also involved in the process of DNA repair, including both homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), two major pathways that cells employ to fix DSBs. Through its interactions with other proteins in the DDR pathway, Rad9B helps to coordinate the complex series of events that lead to the repair of damaged DNA.Mutations or dysregulation of Rad9B and the 9-1-1 complex can lead to genomic instability, which is a hallmark of cancerous cells. Therefore, Rad9B is not only essential for normal cell cycle control and DNA repair but also for inhibiting the development of cancer by suppressing genomic instability.