Proliferating cell nuclear antigen originally identified as an antigen that is expressed in the nuclei of cells during the DNA synthesis phase of the cell cycle. Part of the protein was sequenced and that sequence was used to allow isolation of a cDNA clone. PCNA helps hold DNA polymerase epsilon (Pol ε) to DNA. PCNA is clamped to DNA through the action of replication factor C (RFC), which is a heteropentameric member of the AAA+ class of ATPases. Expression of PCNA is under the control of E2F transcription factor-containing complexes. Since DNA polymerase epsilon is involved in resynthesis of excised damaged DNA strands during
Epigenetics in stem-cell differentiation one. "DNMT3A" and "DNMT3B" have both been linked to a role in the establishment of DNA methylation pattern in the early development of the stem cell, whereas "DNMT1" is required to methylate a newly synthesized strand of DNA after the cell has undergone replication in order to sustain the epigenetic regulatory state. Numerous proteins can physically interact with "DNMTs" themselves, which help target "DNMT1" to hemi-methylated DNA. Several new studies point to the central role of DNA methylation interacting with the regulation of cell cycles and DNA repair pathways in order to maintain the undifferentiated state. In embryonic stem cells,