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Description

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) belongs to the DNA sliding clamp family and is comprised of three identical monomers forming a heterodimer. Due to its unique structure, PCNA is able to increase the processivity of DNA polymerase delta by using its outer domains to be involved in protein-protein interaction while still tethered to and freely sliding along the DNA. PCNA is a critical regulatory component in the onset of leading strand DNA replication and the termination of lagging strand synthesis. Studies have also indicated a role for PCNA in the recruitment and regulation of MMR pathway repair proteins. PCNA is also able to interact with a wide variety of cell cycle proteins and serves to coordinate several proteins participating in DNA processes, such as apoptosis.