DNA repair protein RAD51 homolog C (RAD51C)

DNA repair protein RAD51 homolog C (RAD51C) is a key component of the homologous recombination DNA repair pathway, acting as a central member of two major protein complexes: BCDX2 (RAD51B-RAD51C-RAD51D-XRCC2) and CX3 (RAD51C-XRCC3)[1][3][5]. RAD51C orchestrates RAD51 filament assembly on single-stranded DNA, promoting the accurate repair of double-strand breaks and protecting replication forks[3]. The protein is essential for genome stability and viability—mutations in RAD51C predispose to several cancers, particularly breast and ovarian cancer, and can underlie Fanconi anemia group O (FANCO)[1][3][5]. RAD51C functions as both an early mediator (regulating RAD51 loading) and a late actor (participating in Holliday junction resolution) during HR-mediated DNA repair. Loss or dysfunction leads to sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents and synthetic lethality with PARP inhibition, making RAD51C-deficient cancers susceptible to agents such as olaparib[3]. RAD51C is not a classic receptor, enzyme, or transporter—it is classified as a DNA repair protein and is often considered in the context of cancer therapy for its biomarker and synthetic lethality roles.

Other names

RAD51L2FANCORAD51 homolog CRAD51-like protein 2BROVCA3R51H3yeast RAD51 homolog 3

Inhibitors such as PARP inhibitors exploit synthetic lethality in cancer cells deficient in RAD51C-mediated homologous recombination repair, leading to cell death