The protein encoded by this gene is highly similar to
S. cerevisiae DNA damage repair protein Rad18. Yeast Rad18 functions through interaction with Rad6, which is a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme required for post-replication repair of damaged DNA. Similar to its yeast counterpart, this protein is able to interact with the human homolog of yeast Rad6 protein through a conserved
ring finger motif. Mutation of this motif results in defective replication of UV-damaged DNA and hypersensitivity to multiple mutagens. RAD18 is also involved in directing repair of DNA double-strand breaks by
homologous recombination in post replicative
chromatin. RAD18 appears to promote homologous recombinational repair by recruiting the
SMC5,
SMC6 (SMC5/6) complex to the DNA breaks. == Interactions ==