Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.7.7 (DNA polymerase)
17,007 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are involved in a variety of pathologies, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as in aging. mtDNA mutations result predominantly from damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) that is not repaired prior to replication. Repair of ROS-damaged bases occurs mainly via base excision repair (BER) in mitochondria and nuclei. In nuclear BER, the two penultimate steps are carried out by DNA polymerase-beta (Polbeta), which exhibits both 5'-deoxyribose-5-phosphate (5'-dRP) lyase and DNA polymerase activities. In mitochondria, DNA polymerase-gamma (Polgamma) is believed to be the sole polymerase and is therefore assumed to function in mitochondrial BER. However, a recent report suggested the presence of Polbeta or a "Polbeta-like" enzyme in bovine mitochondria. Consequently, in the present work, we tested the hypothesis that Polbeta is present and functions in mammalian mitochondria. Initially we identified two DNA polymerase activities, one corresponding to Polgamma and the other to Polbeta, in mitochondrial preparations obtained by differential centrifugation and discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation. However, upon further fractionation in linear Percoll gradients, we were able to separate Polbeta from mitochondria and to show that intact mitochondria, identified by electron microscopy, lacked Polbeta activity. In a functional test for the presence of Polbeta function in mitochondria, we used a new assay for detection of random (i.e., non-clonal) mutations in single mtDNA molecules. We did not detect enhanced mutation frequency in mtDNA from Polbeta null cells. In contrast, mtDNA from cells harboring mutations in the Polgamma exonuclease domain that abolish proofreading displayed a >or=17-fold increase in mutation frequency. We conclude that Polbeta is not an essential component of the machinery that maintains mtDNA integrity.
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PMID:Mitochondrial DNA integrity is not dependent on DNA polymerase-beta activity. 1616 4

2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) is the most abundant of the carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines in the human diet, and the major mutagenic effect of dietary PhIP is G-->T transversions. The major PhIP-derived DNA adduct is to C8 of guanine. We have investigated this adduct in a PhIP-induced mutational hotspot 5'-GGGA-3' of the Apc tumor suppressor gene, frequently mutated in mammalian colon tumors. We have carried out a molecular dynamics study to elucidate on a structural level nucleotide incorporation and extension opposite this major adduct during replication. The PhIP adduct was modeled into the ternary complex closed conformation of DNA polymerase RB69, at incorporation and extension positions, with normal cytosine or mismatched partner adenine. RB69 polymerase is a member of the B family as are most replicative eukaryotic DNA polymerases such as DNA polymerase alpha. These systems were subjected to molecular dynamics simulations with AMBER. Our results show that the adduct can reside on the major groove side of the modified DNA template opposite an incoming dCTP or dATP. In the case of the normal partner, disturbance to the active site is observed at the incorporation step, but there is less perturbance in the extension simulation. In the case of the mismatched partner, a less disturbed active site is observed during the incorporation step, but extension appears to be more difficult. Disturbances include adverse impacts on Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding in the nascent base pair, on the distance between the alpha-phosphate of the incoming dNTP and the primer terminus 3'-OH, and on critical protein interactions with the dNTP. However, in all of these cases, a near reaction ready distance (within 3.5 angstroms) between the 3'-terminal oxygen of the primer and the Palpha of the incoming nucleotide triphosphate is sampled occasionally (0.4-23.5% of the time). Thus, error-free bypass or the induction of a G-->T transversion mutation could occur at times and contribute to an extent to the mutagenic effect of PhIP. Polymerase stalling would be the more common outcome and in vivo could lead to switch to an error-prone bypass polymerase.
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PMID:Molecular dynamics of a food carcinogen-DNA adduct in a replicative DNA polymerase suggest hindered nucleotide incorporation and extension. 1616 26

We describe the use of a series of gradually expanded thymine nucleobase analogs in probing steric effects in DNA polymerase efficiency and fidelity. In these nonpolar compounds, the base size was increased incrementally over a 1.0-A range by use of variably sized atoms (H, F, Cl, Br, and I) to replace the oxygen molecules of thymine. Kinetics studies with DNA Pol I (Klenow fragment, exonuclease-deficient) in vitro showed that replication efficiency opposite adenine increased through the series, reaching a peak at the chlorinated compound. Efficiency then dropped markedly as a steric tightness limit was apparently reached. Importantly, fidelity also followed this trend, with the fidelity maximum at dichlorotoluene, the largest compound that fits without apparent repulsion. The fidelity at this point approached that of wild-type thymine. Surprisingly, the maximum fidelity and efficiency was found at a base pair size significantly larger than the natural size. Parallel bypass and mutagenesis experiments were then carried out in vivo with a bacterial assay for replication. The cellular results were virtually the same as those seen in solution. The results provide direct evidence for the importance of a tight steric fit on DNA replication fidelity. In addition, the results suggest that even high-fidelity replicative enzymes have more steric room than necessary, possibly to allow for an evolutionarily advantageous mutation rate.
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PMID:Probing the active site tightness of DNA polymerase in subangstrom increments. 1624 40

The base excision repair pathway is critical for the removal of oxidized and methylated bases from the DNA. Much of this DNA damage arises endogenously, as a result of oxygen metabolism. Several proteins including DNA glycosylases, the APE1 endonuclease, DNA polymerase beta and DNA ligase, act in a highly regulated and coordinated manner during base excision repair to excise the base adducts from the DNA and restore the normal DNA sequence. Both germline and tumor-associated variants of genes encoding these proteins have been identified in humans. In many cases, the protein variant has been shown to have properties that could contribute to the development of cancer, suggesting that base excision repair acts as a tumor suppressor mechanism in humans. Limited epidemiological studies are consistent with this view. Our review of the literature indicates that additional laboratory and epidemiological studies of the role of base excision repair in cancer etiology is warranted.
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PMID:Is base excision repair a tumor suppressor mechanism? 1641 80

A reference system for DNA replication fidelity was studied by free energy perturbation (FEP) and linear interaction energy (LIE) methods. The studied system included a hydrated duplex DNA with the 5'-CG dangling end of the templating strand, and dCTP4-.Mg2+ or dTTP4-.Mg2+ inserted opposite the dangling G to form a correct (i.e., Watson-Crick) or incorrect (i.e., wobble) base pair, respectively. The average distance between the 3'-terminal oxygen of the primer strand and the alpha-phosphorus of dNTP was found to be 0.2 A shorter for the correct base pair than for the incorrect base pair. Binding of the incorrect dNTP was found to be disfavored by 0.4 kcal/mol relative to the correct dNTP. We estimated that improved binding and more near-attack configurations sampled by the correct base pair should translate in aqueous solution and in the absence of DNA polymerase into a six times faster rate for the incorporation of the correct dNTP into DNA. The accuracy of the calculated binding free energy difference was verified by examining the relative free energy for melting duplex DNA containing GC and GT terminal base pairs flanked by a 5' dangling C. The calculated LIE and FEP free energies of 1.7 and 1.1 kcal/mol, respectively, compared favorably with the experimental estimate of 1.4 kcal/mol obtained using the nearest neighbor parameters. To decompose the calculated free energies into additive electrostatic and van der Waals contributions and to provide a set of rigorous theoretical data for the parametrization of the LIE method, we suggested a variant of the FEP approach, for which we coined a binding-relevant free energy (BRFE) acronym. BRFE approach is characterized by its unique perturbation pathway and by its exclusion of the intramolecular energy of a rigid part of the ligand from the total potential energy.
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PMID:Free energy simulations of uncatalyzed DNA replication fidelity: structure and stability of T.G and dTTP.G terminal DNA mismatches flanked by a single dangling nucleotide. 1672 67

Human DNA polymerase N (POLN or pol nu) is the most recently discovered nuclear DNA polymerase in the human genome. It is an A-family DNA polymerase related to Escherichia coli pol I, human POLQ, and Drosophila Mus308. We report the first purification of the recombinant enzyme and examination of its biochemical properties, as a step toward understanding the functions of POLN. Unusual for an A-family DNA polymerase, POLN is a low fidelity enzyme incorporating T opposite template G with a frequency of 0.45 and G opposite template T with a frequency of 0.021. The frequency of misincorporation of T opposite template G is higher than any other known DNA polymerase. POLN has a processivity of DNA synthesis (1-100 nucleotides) similar to the exonuclease-deficient Klenow fragment of E. coli pol I, is inhibited by dideoxynucleotides, and resistant to aphidicolin. The strand displacement activity of POLN was higher than exonuclease-deficient Klenow fragment. Furthermore, POLN can perform translesion synthesis past thymine glycol, a common endogenous and radiation-induced product of reactive oxygen species damage to DNA. Thymine glycol blocks DNA synthesis by most DNA polymerases, but POLN was particularly adept at efficient and accurate translesion synthesis past a 5S-thymine glycol.
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PMID:Human DNA polymerase N (POLN) is a low fidelity enzyme capable of error-free bypass of 5S-thymine glycol. 1678 14

Reactive oxygen species generated during normal cellular metabolism react with lipids, proteins, and nucleic acid. Evidence indicates that the accumulation of oxidative damage results in cellular dysfunction or deterioration. In particular, oxidative DNA damage can induce mutagenic replicative outcomes, leading to altered cellular function and/or cellular transformation. Additionally, oxidative DNA modifications can block essential biological processes, namely replication and transcription, triggering cell death responses. The major pathway responsible for removing oxidative DNA damage and restoring the integrity of the genome is base excision repair (BER). We highlight herein what is known about BER protein function(s) in the CNS, which in cooperation with the peripheral nervous system operates to control physical responses, motor coordination, and brain operation. Moreover, we describe evidence indicating that defective BER processing can promote post-mitotic (i.e. non-dividing) neuronal cell death and neurodegenerative disease. The focus of the review is on the core mammalian BER participants, i.e. the DNA glycosylases, AP endonuclease 1, DNA polymerase beta, X-ray cross-complementing 1, and the DNA ligases.
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PMID:Base excision repair and the central nervous system. 1693 43

Methylating agents are widespread environmental carcinogens that generate a broad spectrum of DNA damage. Methylation at the guanine O(6) position confers the greatest mutagenic and carcinogenic potential. DNA polymerases insert cytosine and thymine with similar efficiency opposite O(6)-methyl-guanine (O6MeG). We combined pre-steady-state kinetic analysis and a series of nine x-ray crystal structures to contrast the reaction pathways of accurate and mutagenic replication of O6MeG in a high-fidelity DNA polymerase from Bacillus stearothermophilus. Polymerases achieve substrate specificity by selecting for nucleotides with shape and hydrogen-bonding patterns that complement a canonical DNA template. Our structures reveal that both thymine and cytosine O6MeG base pairs evade proofreading by mimicking the essential molecular features of canonical substrates. The steric mimicry depends on stabilization of a rare cytosine tautomer in C.O6MeG-polymerase complexes. An unusual electrostatic interaction between O-methyl protons and a thymine carbonyl oxygen helps stabilize T.O6MeG pairs bound to DNA polymerase. Because DNA methylators constitute an important class of chemotherapeutic agents, the molecular mechanisms of replication of these DNA lesions are important for our understanding of both the genesis and treatment of cancer.
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PMID:The structural basis for the mutagenicity of O(6)-methyl-guanine lesions. 1717 38

The therapeutic effect of the thiopurines, 6-thioguanine (6-TG), 6-mercaptopurine, and its prodrug azathioprine, depends on the incorporation of 6-TG into cellular DNA. Unlike normal DNA bases, 6-TG absorbs UVA radiation, and UVA-mediated photochemical damage of DNA 6-TG has potentially harmful side effects. When free 6-TG is UVA irradiated in solution in the presence of molecular oxygen, reactive oxygen species are generated and 6-TG is oxidized to guanine-6-sulfonate (G(SO3)) and guanine-6-thioguanine in reactions involving singlet oxygen. This conversion is prevented by antioxidants, including the dietary vitamin ascorbate. DNA G(SO3) is also the major photoproduct of 6-TG in DNA and it can be selectively introduced into DNA or oligonucleotides in vitro by mild chemical oxidation. Thermal stability measurements indicate that G(SO3) does not form stable base pairs with any of the normal DNA bases in duplex oligonucleotides and is a powerful block for elongation by Klenow DNA polymerase in primer extension experiments. In cultured human cells, DNA damage produced by 6-TG and UVA treatment is associated with replication inhibition and provokes a p53-dependent DNA damage response.
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PMID:Novel DNA lesions generated by the interaction between therapeutic thiopurines and UVA light. 1718 83

The mechanism of the fidelity synthesis of DNA associated with the process of dGTP combination to the DNA template was explored. The exclusion of water molecules from the hydrated DNA bases can amplify the energy difference between the correct and incorrect base pairs, but the effect of the water molecules on the Gibbs free energy of formation is dependent on the binding sites for the water molecules. The water detachment from the incoming dNTP is not the only factor but the first step for the successful replication of DNA. The second step is the selection of the DNA polymerase on the DNA base pair through the comparison between the correct DNA base and the incorrect DNA base. The bonding of the Arg668 with the incoming dNTP can enlarge the Gibbs free energies of formation of the base pairs, especially the correct base pairs, thus increasing the driving force of DNA formation. When the DNA base of the primer terminus is correct, the extension of the guanine and the adenine is quicker than that of the cytosine and the thymine because of the hydrogen bonding fork formation of Arg668 with the minor groove of the primer terminus and the ring oxygen of the deoxyribose moiety of the incoming dNTP. Because of the geometry differences of the incorrect base pairs with the correct base pairs, the effect from the DNA polymerase is smaller on the incorrect base pair than on the correct base pair, and the extension of a mispair is slower than that of a correct base pair. This decreases the extension rate of the base pair and thus allows proofreading exonuclease activity to excise the incorrect base pair. Arg668 cannot prevent the extension of the GT mispair, as well as the GC correct base pair, and GA and GG mispairs. This may be attributed to the small geometry difference between the GT base pair and the correct AT base pair.
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PMID:Factors determining the deriving force of DNA formation: geometrical differences of base pairs, dehydration of bases, and the arginine assisting. 1726 49


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