The elongation of
primed DNA templates by
DNA polymerase delta and
DNA polymerase epsilon requires the accessory proteins
proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and
replication factor C (RFC). RFC, also named activator 1, is a protein complex consisting of five distinct subunits of 140, 40, 38, 37, and 36 kD. This gene encodes the 37 kD subunit. This subunit forms a core complex with the 36 and 40 kDa subunits. The core complex possesses
DNA-dependent ATPase activity, which was found to be stimulated by PCNA in an in vitro system.
Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein have been reported. RFC4 expression is significantly upregulated in esophageal squamous carcinoma cell tissues and cells, particularly in cases that are radioresistant. RFC4 plays a role in conferring radioresistance to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by bolstering
repair of DNA damage. Thus RFC4 is a promising therapeutic target for combating radioresistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. == Interactions ==