Arabidopsis replication factor C subunit 1 plays an important role in embryogenesis.

Replication factor C (RFC), consisting of one large subunit and four small subunits, is an important factor involved in DNA replication and repair mechanisms as well as cell proliferation. The subunit 1 of Arabidopsis RFC (AtRFC1) is a homologue of p140, the large subunit of human RFC. Three T-DNA insertion mutant lines of AtRFC1, i.e. rfc1-1, rfc1-2 and rfc1-3, with insertion mutations located in exons 16 and 19, and the promoter region respectively were verified. These mutations caused defects in embryogenesis and led to embryo and seed abortion. Transformation of wild type AtRFC1 gene into rfc1 mutant alleles reverted the mutant phenotypes, suggesting that AtRFC1 plays an important role in embryo development in Arabidopsis thaliana.