Original scientific paper

Biological role of Escherichia coli translesion synthesis DNA polymerase IV

Ivan Matić orcid.org/0000-0003-0393-1241 ; INSERM U571, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes, 156 rue de Vaugirard, 75730 Paris Cedex 15, France

Abstract

Abstract
Damage tolerance is a measure of last resort to rescue cells from DNA damage, without which cells would become highly sensitive to killing by DNA-damaging agents. DNA lesion can be tolerated via different pathways, of which two best studied are homologous recombination and replicative lesion bypass. Replicative lesion bypass requires specializedDNApolymerases, most of which belong to the Y-family of DNA polymerases. These enzymes exhibit high error rates and low processivity when copying normal DNA but are able to synthesize DNA opposite damaged templates hence allowing completion of genome replication in the presence of the replication- blocking DNA damage. The most ubiquitous branch of the Y-family of DNA polymerases, a DinB branch, is typified by Escherichia coli Pol IV. Such remarkable conservation throughout evolution strongly suggests that the Y-family DNA polymerases from theDinB branch are extremely important for cell survival and fitness. We found that E. coli Pol IV is capable to counteract cytotoxic effects of DNA alkylation in error-free fashion. This activity is of major biological relevance because alkylating agents are continuously produced endogenously in all living cells and are also present in the environment.

Keywords

Escherichia coli; dinB; alkylation; damage; DNA repair

Hrčak ID:

32566

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/32566

Publication date:

31.10.2008.

Visits: 1.451 *