ATR Interacting Protein (ATRIP)

ATRIP is an essential component of the DNA damage checkpoint, and binds to single-stranded DNA coated with replication protein A that accumulates at sites of DNA damage. The encoded protein interacts with the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related protein, a checkpoint kinase, resulting in accumulation of the kinase at intranuclear foci induced by DNA damage. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.ATRIP is phosphorylated by ATR, regulates ATR expression, and is an essential component of the DNA damage checkpoint pathway. Deletion of ATR mediated by the Cre recombinase caused the loss of ATR and ATRIP expression, loss of DNA damage checkpoint responses, and cell death. Therefore, ATR is essential for the viability of human somatic cells.