Role of base stacking and sequence context in the inhibition of yeast DNA polymerase eta by pyrene nucleotide

The Y family DNA polymerase yeast pol eta inserts pyrene deoxyribose monophosphate (dPMP) in preference to A opposite an abasic site, the 3'-T of a thymine dimer, and a normal T with almost equal efficiency. In contrast, pol A family polymerases such as Klenow fragment and T7 DNA polymerase only insert dPMP efficiently opposite an abasic site and the 3'-T of a thymine dimer but not opposite undamaged DNA. Pyrene nucleotide is also an efficient chain-terminating inhibitor of DNA synthesis by pol eta but not by Klenow fragment or T7 DNA polymerase. To better understand the origin of the efficiency and sequence specificity of dPMP insertion by pol eta, the kinetics of dPMP insertion opposite various templates have been determined. In one sequence context, the efficiency of dPMP insertion increases 4.6-fold opposite G < A < T < C, suggesting that the templating nucleotide modulates dPMP insertion efficiency by having to destack prior to dPTP binding. The efficiency of insertion of dPMP opposite T in the same sequence context increases 7-fold for primers terminating in G < A < C < T and is similar to that observed for nontemplated blunt-end extension, suggesting that stacking interactions between the pyrene and the primer terminus are also important. On heterogeneous templates, the average selectivity for dPMP insertion relative to the complementary dNMP decreases in the order of dAMP > dGMP > dTMP > dCMP, from a high of 5.8 when dAMP is to be inserted following a T to a low of 0.5 when dCMP is to be inserted following a C. The relative preference for dPMP insertion at a given site can be largely explained by the energetic cost of destacking the templating base and stacking of pyrene nucleotide relative to that of stacking and base pairing the complementary nucleotide. Thus, pyrene nucleotide represents a novel class of nucleotide-based chain-terminating DNA synthesis inhibitors whose base portion consists of a hydrophobic, non-hydrogen bonding, base-pair mimic.     

Reduction of the potent DNA polymerase III holoenzyme 3'----5' exonuclease activity by template-primer analogues

The DNA polymerase III holoenzyme of Escherichia coli contains a potent 3'----5' exonuclease that removes the terminal nucleotide from a synthetic deoxyoligonucleotide primer with a half-life of approximately 2 s. Degradation of primers could not be effectively prevented by permitting the holoenzyme to "idle" at the primer terminus in the presence of limited deoxynucleoside triphosphates. To further characterize this exonuclease and to develop stable primers to facilitate experimental manipulations, we synthesized a series of twelve 25-mer oligonucleotides that differed only in the two 3'-terminal residues. The penultimate position contained either a CMP or a dCMP residue, while at the terminal position either AMP, dAMP, 2',3'-dideoxyAMP, cordycepin (3'-dAMP), dAMP alpha S, or 2',3'-dideoxyAMP alpha S was incorporated. No single change at either the 3'-penultimate or 3'-terminal positions resulted in a decrease in the exonuclease rate greater than 10-fold; however, combined changes at these two sites resulted in a strong synergistic effect. Placing a ribonucleotide at the penultimate position coupled by a phosphorothioate linkage to a terminal 2',3'-dideoxynucleotide reduced the rate of exonucleolytic activity almost 30,000-fold (half-life approximately 16 h). If only the ribonucleotide and phosphorothioate substitutions were made, a primer capable of being efficiently elongated was generated that exhibited a 500-fold increase in stability (half-life = 40 min). The elemental effect observed by substituting a nonbridging oxygen in the terminal phosphodiester bond for sulfur increased from 1.5 to 200 as other substitutions were made that decreased the exonuclease rate. This was consistent with a change in the rate-limiting step of the exonuclease reaction from a conformational change to the chemical step where the covalent bond is cleaved. At least part of this effect appears to be due to perturbations within the enzyme's active site and not solely due to changes in electrophilicity.     

Translesional synthesis past acetylaminofluorene-derived DNA adducts catalyzed by human DNA polymerase kappa and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase IV.

Human DNA polymerase kappa (pol kappa) has a sequence significantly homologous with that of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase IV (pol IV). We used a truncated form of human pol kappa (pol kappaDeltaC) and full-length pol IV to explore the miscoding properties of these enzymes. Oligodeoxynucleotides, modified site-specifically with N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-acetylaminofluorene (dG-AAF) and N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene (dG-AF), were used as DNA templates in primer extension reactions that included all four dNTPs. Reactions catalyzed by pol kappaDeltaC were partially blocked one base prior to dG-AAF or dG-AF, and also opposite both lesions. At higher enzyme concentrations, a significant fraction of primer was extended. Analysis of the fully extended reaction product revealed incorporation of dTMP opposite dG-AAF, accompanied by much smaller amounts of dCMP, dAMP, and dGMP and some one- and two-base deletions. The product terminating 3' to the adduct site contained AMP misincorporated opposite dC. On templates containing dG-AF, dAMP, dTMP, and dCMP were incorporated opposite the lesion in approximately equal amounts, together with some one-base and two-base deletions. Steady-state kinetics analysis confirmed the results obtained from primer extension reactions catalyzed by pol kappa. In contract, primer extension reactions catalyzed by pol IV were blocked effectively by dG-AAF and dG-AF. At high concentrations of pol IV, full-length products were formed containing primarily one- or two-base deletions with dCMP, the correct base, incorporated opposite dG-AF. The miscoding properties of pol kappa observed in this study are consistent with mutational spectra observed when plasmid vectors containing dG-AAF or dG-AF are introduced into simian kidney cells [Shibutani, S., et al. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 3717-3722], supporting a model in which pol kappa plays a role in translesion synthesis past acetylaminofluorene-derived lesions in mammalian cells.     

Translesion synthesis past 2'-deoxyxanthosine, a nitric oxide-derived DNA adduct, by mammalian DNA polymerases

Cellular DNA is damaged by nitric oxide (NO), a multifunctional bioregulator and an environmental pollutant that has been implicated in diseases associated with cancer and chronic inflammation. 2'-Deoxyxanthosine (dX) is a major NO-derived DNA lesion. To explore the mutagenic potential of dX, a 38-mer oligodeoxynucleotide ((5')CATGCTGATGAATTCCTTCXCTTCTTTCCTCTCCCTTT) modified site-specifically with dX at the X position was prepared post-synthetically and used as a DNA template in primer extension reactions catalyzed by calf thymus DNA polymerase (pol) alpha and human DNA pol beta, eta, and kappa. Primer extension reactions catalyzed by pol alpha or beta in the presence of four dNTPs were retarded at the dX lesion while pol eta and kappa readily bypassed the lesion. The fully extended products were analyzed to quantify the miscoding specificity and frequency of dX using two-phase polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). With pol alpha, eta and kappa, incorrect dTMP was preferentially incorporated opposite the lesion, along with lesser amounts of dCMP, the correct base. When pol beta was used, direct incorporation of correct dCMP was primarily observed, accompanied by small amounts of misincorporation of dTMP, dAMP and dGMP. Steady-state kinetic analyses supported the results obtained from the two-phase PAGE assay. dX is a miscoding lesion capable of preferentially generating G-->A mutations. The miscoding frequency varied depending on DNA polymerase used.     

Insertion of dGMP and dAMP during in vitro DNA synthesis opposite an oxidized form of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine.

Oxidative damage to DNA bases commonly resultsin the formation of oxidized purines, particularly 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) and 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoadenine (8-oxoA), the former being a well-known mutagenic lesion. Since 8-oxoG is readily subject to further oxidation compared with normal bases, the insertion of a base during DNA synthesis opposite an oxidized form of 8-oxoG was investigated in vitro. A synthetic template containing a single 8-oxoG lesion was first treated with different one-electron oxidants or under singlet oxygen conditions and then subjected to primer extension catalyzed by Klenow fragment exo- (Kf exo-), calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha (pol alpha) or human DNA polymerase beta (pol beta). Consistent with previous reports, dAMP and dCMP are inserted selectively opposite 8-oxoG with all three DNA polymerases. Interestingly, oxidation of 8-oxoG was found to induce dAMP and dGMP insertion opposite the lesion by Kf exo- with transient inhibition of primer extension occurring at the site of the modified base. Furthermore, the lesion constitutes a block during DNA synthesis by pol alpha and pol beta. Experiments with an 8-oxoA-modified template oligonucleotide show that both 8-oxoA and an oxidized form of 8-oxoA direct insertion of dTMP by Kf exo-. Mass spectrometric analysis of 8-oxoG-containing oligonucleotides before and after oxidation with IrCl62-are consistent with oxidation of primarily the 8-oxoG site, resulting in formation of a guanidinohydantoin moiety as the major product. No evidence for formation of abasic sites was obtained. These results demonstrate that an oxidized form of 8-oxoG, possibly guanidinohydantoin, may direct misreading and misinsertion of dNTPs during DNA synthesis. If such a process occurred in vivo, it would represent a point mutagenic lesion leading to G-->T and G-->C transversions. However, the corresponding oxidized form of 8-oxoA primarily shows correct insertion of T during DNA synthesis with Kf exo-.     

Replication of DNA templates containing 5-formyluracil, a major oxidative lesion of thymine in DNA.

5-Formyluracil (5-foU) is a major lesion of thymine produced in DNA by ionizing radiation and various chemical oxidants. To assess its biochemical effects on DNA replication, 22mer oligonucleotide templates containing an internal 5-foU at defined sites were synthesized by the phosphoramidite method and examined for ability to serve as a template for various DNA polymerases in vitro . Klenow fragments with and without 3'-->5'exonuclease of DNA polymerase I, Thermus thermophilus DNA polymerase (exonuclease-deficient) and Pyrococcus furiosus DNA polymerase (exonuclease-proficient) read through the site of 5-foU in the template. Primer extension assays revealed that the 5-foU directed not only incorporation of dAMP but also dCMP opposite the lesion during DNA synthesis. Misincorporation opposite 5-foU was unaffected by 3'-->5' exonuclease activity. DNA polymerases had different dissociation rates from a dCMP/T mispair and from a dCMP/5-foU mispair. The incorporation of an 'incorrect' nucleotide was dependent on the sequence context and DNA polymerase used. These results suggest that 5-foU produced in DNA has mutagenic potential leading to T-->G transversions during DNA synthesis.     

Kinetic analysis of nucleotide incorporation by mammalian DNA polymerase delta

The kinetics of nucleotide incorporation into 24/36-mer primer/template DNA by purified fetal calf thymus DNA polymerase (pol) delta was examined using steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetics. The role of the pol delta accessory protein, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), on DNA replication by pol delta was also examined by kinetic analysis. The steady-state parameter k(cat) was similar for pol delta in the presence and absence of PCNA (0.36 and 0.30 min(-1), respectively); however, the K(m) for dNTP was 20-fold higher in the absence of PCNA (0.067 versus 1.2 microm), decreasing the efficiency of nucleotide insertion. Pre-steady-state bursts of nucleotide incorporation were observed for pol delta in the presence and absence of PCNA (rates of polymerization (k(pol)) of 1260 and 400 min(-1), respectively). The reduction in polymerization rate in the absence of PCNA was also accompanied by a 2-fold decrease in burst amplitude. The steady-state exonuclease rate of pol delta was 0.56 min(-1) (no burst, 10(3)-fold lower than the rate of polymerization). The small phosphorothioate effect of 2 for correct nucleotide incorporation into DNA by pol delta.PCNA indicated that the rate-limiting step in the polymerization cycle occurs prior to phosphodiester bond formation. A K(d)(dNTP) value of 0.93 microm for poldelta.dNTP binding was determined by pre-steady-state kinetics. A 5-fold increase in K(d)(DNA) for the pol delta.DNA complex was measured in the absence of PCNA. We conclude that the major replicative mammalian polymerase, pol delta, exhibits kinetic behavior generally similar to that observed for several prokaryotic model polymerases, particularly a rate-limiting step following product formation in the steady state (dissociation of oligonucleotides) and a rate-limiting step (probably conformational change) preceding phosphodiester bond formation. PCNA appears to affect pol delta replication in this model mainly by decreasing the dissociation of the polymerase from the DNA.     

The Gly-952 residue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA polymerase alpha is important in discriminating correct deoxyribonucleotides from incorrect ones

Gly-952 is a conserved residue in Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA polymerase alpha (pol alpha) that is strictly required for catalytic activity and for genetic complementation of a pol alpha-deficient yeast strain. This study analyzes the role of Gly-952 by characterizing the biochemical properties of Gly-952 mutants. Analysis of the nucleotide incorporation specificity of pol alpha G952A showed that this mutant incorporates nucleotides with extraordinarily low fidelity. In a steady-state kinetic assay to measure nucleotide misincorporation, pol alpha G952A incorporated incorrect nucleotides more efficiently than correct nucleotides opposite template C, G, and T. The fidelity of the G952A mutant polymerase was highest at template A, where the ratio of incorporation of dCMP to dTMP was as high as 0.37. Correct nucleotide insertion was 500- to 3500-fold lower for G952A than for wild type pol alpha, with up to 22-fold increase in pyrimidine misincorporation. The Km for G952A pol alpha bound to mismatched termini T:T, T:C, C:A, and A:C was 71- to 460-fold lower than to a matched terminus. Furthermore, pol alpha G952A preferentially incorporated pyrimidine instead of dAMP opposite an abasic site, cis-syn cyclobutane di-thymine, or (6-4) di-thymine photoproduct. These data demonstrate that Gly-952 is a critical residue for catalytic efficiency and error prevention in S. cerevisiae pol alpha.     

Oxidation of thymine to 5-formyluracil in DNA promotes misincorporation of dGMP and subsequent elongation of a mismatched primer terminus by DNA polymerase

5-Formyluracil (fU) is a major oxidative thymine lesion generated by ionizing radiation and reactive oxygen species. In the present study, we have assessed the influence of fU on DNA replication to elucidate its genotoxic potential. Oligonucleotide templates containing fU at defined sites were replicated in vitro by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I Klenow fragment deficient in 3'-5'-exonuclease. Gel electrophoretic analysis of the reaction products showed that fU constituted very weak replication blocks to DNA synthesis, suggesting a weak to negligible cytotoxic effect of this lesion. However, primer extension assays with a single dNTP revealed that fU directed incorporation of not only correct dAMP but also incorrect dGMP, although much less efficiently. No incorporation of dCMP and dTMP was observed. When fU was substituted for T in templates, the incorporation efficiency of dAMP (f(A) = V(max)/K(m)) decreased to (1/4) to (1/2), depending on the nearest neighbor base pair, and that of dGMP (f(G)) increased 1.1-5.6-fold. Thus, the increase in the replication error frequency (f(G)/f(A) for fU versus T) was 3.1-14.3-fold. The misincorporation rate of dGMP opposite fU (pK(a) = 8.6) but not T (pK(a) = 10.0) increased with pH (7.2-8.6) of the reaction mixture, indicating the participation of the ionized (or enolate) form of fU in the mispairing with G. The resulting mismatched fU:G primer terminus was more efficiently extended than the T:G terminus (8.2-11.3-fold). These results show that when T is oxidized to fU in DNA, fU promotes both misincorporation of dGMP at this site and subsequent elongation of the mismatched primer, hence potentially mutagenic.     

Mechanism of frameshift (deletion) generated by acetylaminofluorene-derived DNA adducts in vitro

We have investigated the mechanism of frameshift (deletion) mutagenesis induced by acetylaminofluorene- (AAF-) derived DNA adducts. dG-AAF-modified oligodeoxynucleotides, with different bases positioned 5' to the lesion, were annealed to (32)P-labeled 13-mer primers and then used in primer extension reactions catalyzed by the 3'-->5' exonuclease-free Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. When the dNMP positioned opposite dG-AAF could pair with its complementary base at the 5' flanking position, single-base deletions were produced at high frequency. Similarly, when the complementary base was two positions 5' to the dG-AAF, two-base deletions occurred. The relative frequency of base insertions opposite dG-AAF followed the order dCMP > dAMP > dGMP > dTMP; the frequency of dNTP insertion opposite the lesion paralleled the formation of frameshift deletions. When a template designed to induce three-base deletions was used for translesion synthesis catalyzed by the exo(-) Klenow fragment, the expected three-base deletion was formed. When dG-AAF-modified templates containing iterated bases 5' to the lesion were annealed to primers with the complementary dNMP positioned opposite the lesion, the dNMP inserted opposite the dG-AAF tended to pair with the complementary base 5' to the lesion, thereby forming shorter deletions. Taken together, these results support the molecular mechanism for frameshift deletion proposed earlier by Shibutani and Grollman in which direct base insertion precedes misalignment [(1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 11703].     

Miscoding events during DNA synthesis past the nitration-damaged base 8-nitroguanine

8-Nitro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-NO(2)-dG) DNA adducts are induced by the reactive nitrogen species and may be associated with the development of cancer in inflammatory tissues. To explore the miscoding potential of 8-NO(2)-dG adduct, an oligodeoxynucleotide containing a single 8-NO(2)-dG adduct was prepared by photochemical synthesis and used as a template in primer extension reactions catalyzed by mammalian DNA polymerases (pol). Primer extension reactions catalyzed by pol alpha or beta were strongly retarded at the 8-NO(2)-dG lesion; a fraction of primers was extended past the lesion by incorporating preferentially dCMP, the correct base, opposite the lesion, accompanied by lesser amounts of dAMP and dGMP incorporation. In contrast, primer extension reactions catalyzed by pol eta or a truncated form of pol kappa (pol kappaDeltaC) readily extended past the 8-NO(2)-dG lesion. Pol eta and kappaDeltaC showed more broad miscoding spectra; direct incorporations of dCMP and dAMP were observed, along with lesser amounts of dGMP and dTMP incorporations and deletions. The miscoding frequencies induced by pol eta and kappaDeltaC were at least 8 times higher than that of pol alpha or beta. Miscoding frequency and specificity of 8-NO(2)-dG varied depending on the DNA polymerases used. These observations were supported by steady-state kinetic studies. 8-NO(2)-dG adduct may play an important role in initiating inflammation driven carcinogenesis.     

Translesion synthesis past equine estrogen-derived 2'-deoxycytidine DNA adducts by human DNA polymerases eta and kappa

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), composed of equilenin, is associated with increased risk of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. Several diastereoisomers of unique dC and dA DNA adducts were derived from 4-hydroxyequilenin (4-OHEN), a metabolite of equilenin, and have been detected in women receiving ERT. To explore the miscoding property of 4-OHEN-dC adduct, site-specifically modified oligodeoxynucleotides (Pk-1, Pk-2, Pk-3, and Pk-4) containing a single diastereoisomer of 4-OHEN-dC were prepared by a postsynthetic method. Among them, major 4-OHEN-dC-modified oligodeoxynucleotides (Pk-3 and Pk-4) were used to prepare the templates for primer extension reactions catalyzed by DNA polymerase (pol) alpha, pol eta, and pol kappa. Primer extension was retarded one base prior to the lesion and opposite the lesion; stronger blockage was observed with pol alpha, while with human pol eta or pol kappa, a fraction of the primers was extended past the lesion. Steady-state kinetic studies showed that both pol kappa and pol eta inserted dCMP and dAMP opposite the 4-OHEN-dC and extended past the lesion. Never or less-frequently, dGMP, the correct base, was inserted opposite the lesion. The relative bypass frequency past the 4-OHEN-dC lesion with pol eta was at least 3 orders of magnitude higher than that for pol kappa, as observed for primer extension reactions. The bypass frequency past the dA.4-OHEN-dC adduct in Pk-4 was 2 orders of magnitude more efficient than that past the adduct in Pk-3. Thus, 4-OHEN-dC is a highly miscoding lesion capable of generating C --> T transitions and C --> G transversions. The miscoding frequency and specificity of 4-OHEN-dC were strikingly influenced by the adduct stereochemistry and DNA polymerase used.     

Mechanism of translesion synthesis past an equine estrogen-DNA adduct by Y-family DNA polymerases

4-Hydroxyequilenin (4-OHEN)-dC is a major, potentially mutagenic DNA adduct induced by equine estrogens used for hormone replacement therapy. To study the miscoding property of 4-OHEN-dC and the involvement of Y-family human DNA polymerases (pols) eta, kappa and iota in that process, we incorporated 4-OHEN-dC into oligodeoxynucleotides and used them as templates in primer extension reactions catalyzed by pol eta, kappa and iota. Pol eta inserted dAMP opposite 4-OHEN-dC, accompanied by lesser amounts of dCMP and dTMP incorporation and base deletion. Pol kappa promoted base deletions as well as direct incorporation of dAMP and dCMP. Pol iota worked in conjunction with pol kappa, but not with pol eta, at a replication fork stalled by the adduct, resulting in increased dTMP incorporation. Our results provide a direct evidence that Y-family DNA pols can switch with one another during synthesis past the lesion. No direct incorporation of dGMP, the correct base, was observed with Y-family enzymes. The miscoding potency of 4-OHEN-dC may be associated with the development of reproductive cancers observed in women receiving hormone replacement therapy.     

Fidelity of nucleotide insertion at 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine by mammalian DNA polymerase delta. Steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetic analysis

Nucleotide insertion opposite 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) by fetal calf thymus DNA polymerase delta (pol delta) was examined by steady-state and pre-steady-state rapid quench kinetic analyses. In steady-state reactions with the accessory protein proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), pol delta preferred to incorporate dCTP opposite 8-oxoG with an efficiency of incorporation an order of magnitude lower than incorporation into unmodified DNA (mainly due to an increased K(m)). Pre-steady-state kinetic analysis of incorporation opposite 8-oxoG showed biphasic kinetics for incorporation of either dCTP or dATP, with rates similar to dCTP incorporation opposite G, large phosphorothioate effects (>100), and oligonucleotide dissociation apparently rate-limiting in the steady-state. Although pol delta preferred to incorporate dCTP (14% misincorporation of dATP) the extension past the A:8-oxoG mispair predominated. The presence of PCNA was found to be a more essential factor for nucleotide incorporation opposite 8-oxoG adducts than unmodified DNA, increased pre-steady-state rates of nucleotide incorporation by >2 orders of magnitude, and was essential for nucleotide extension beyond 8-oxoG. pol delta replication fidelity at 8-oxoG depends upon contributions from K(m), K(d)(dNTP), and rates of phosphodiester bond formation, and PCNA is an important accessory protein for incorporation and extension at 8-oxoG adducts.     

"Action-at-a-distance" mutagenesis. 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine causes base substitution errors at neighboring template sites when copied by DNA polymerase beta.

8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG), a common oxidative DNA lesion, favors a syn-conformation in DNA, enabling formation of stable 8-oxo-dG.A base mispairs resulting in G.C --> T.A transversion mutations. When human DNA polymerase (pol) beta was used to copy a short single-stranded gap containing a site-directed 8-oxo-dG lesion, incorporation of dAMP opposite 8-oxo-dG was slightly favored over dCMP depending on "downstream" sequence context. Unexpectedly, however, a significant increase in dCMP.A and dGMP.A mispairs was also observed at the "upstream" 3'-template site adjacent to the lesion. Errors at these undamaged template sites occurred in four sequence contexts with both gapped and primed single-stranded DNA templates, but not when pol alpha replaced pol beta. Error rates at sites adjacent to 8-oxo-dG were roughly 1% of the values opposite 8-oxo-dG, potentially generating tandem mutations during in vivo short-gap repair synthesis by pol beta. When 8-oxo-dG was replaced with 8-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine, incorporation of dCMP was strongly favored by both enzymes, with no detectable misincorporation occurring at neighboring template sites.     

Effects of a guanine-derived formamidopyrimidine lesion on DNA replication: translesion DNA synthesis, nucleotide insertion, and extension kinetics

2,6-Diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine derived from guanine (FapyG) is a major DNA lesion formed by reactive oxygen species. In this study, a defined oligonucleotide template containing a 5-N-methylated analog of FapyG (mFapyG) was prepared, and its effect on DNA replication was quantitatively assessed in vitro. The results were further compared with those obtained for 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine and an apurinic/apyrimidinic site embedded in the same sequence context. mFapyG constituted a fairly strong but not absolute block to DNA synthesis catalyzed by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I Klenow fragment with and without an associated 3'-5' exonuclease activity, thereby permitting translesion synthesis with a limited efficiency. The efficiency of translesion synthesis was G > 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine > mFapyG > apurinic/apyrimidinic site. Analysis of the nucleotide insertion (f(ins) = V(max)/K(m) for insertion) and extension (f(ext) = V(max)/K(m) for extension) efficiencies for mFapyG revealed that the extension step constituted a major kinetic barrier to DNA synthesis. When mFapyG was bypassed, dCMP, a cognate nucleotide, was preferentially inserted opposite the lesion (dCMP (relative f(ins) = 1) dTMP (2.4 x 10(-4)) approximately dAMP (8.1 x 10(-5)) > dGMP (4.5 x 10(-7))), and the primer terminus containing a mFapyG:C pair was most efficiently extended (mFapyG:C (relative f(ext) = 1) > mFapyG:T (4.6 x 10(-3)) mFapyG:A and mFapyG:G (extension not observed)). Thus, mFapyG is a potentially lethal but not premutagenic lesion.     

Differential extension of 3' mispairs is a major contribution to the high fidelity of calf thymus DNA polymerase-alpha

The fidelity of DNA polymerase-alpha-primase from calf thymus has been analyzed by measuring mutagenesis in vitro and by site-specific nucleotide misinsertion and mispair extension. Using the phi X174 am3 DNA reversion assay errors are detected at the amber3 site only when both dATP and dCTP are significantly biased during in vitro copying reactions. Analysis of these products on DNA sequencing gels reveals pause sites due to the slow extension of mispaired 3' termini. Measurements of misinsertion rates opposite template A show that the rates of dAMP or dCMP misinsertion are similar and occur 40-50 times more rapidly than dGMP misinsertion. The rate of extension from an A:C mispair is 100- and 400-fold greater than from an A:A mispair and an A:G mispair, respectively. Nucleotide misinsertions to generate all 12 possible mispairs have been measured kinetically on phi X174 DNA templates that contain either A, C, G, or T at position 587. Misinsertion frequencies range from 1/4000 to 1/10(6) depending on the mispairs generated. Extension from all 12 different mispairs was examined by starting with oligonucleotide primers that contain different 3'-terminal mispairs. Rates of extension from mispairs are 10(3) to 10(6) times slower than from correctly paired bases. Extension frequencies were purine:pyrimidine greater than pyrimidine:pyrimidine greater than purine:purine. Lack of extension of misincorporated bases suggests the involvement of exonucleolytic proofreading to enable continued DNA synthesis and to guarantee the high fidelity of eucaryotic DNA replication.     

Manganese substantially alters the dynamics of translesion DNA synthesis

The effect of metal ion substitution on the dynamics of translesion DNA synthesis catalyzed by the bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase was quantitatively evaluated through steady-state and transient kinetic techniques. Substitution of Mn(2+) for Mg(2+) enhances the steady-state rate of dNMP misinsertion opposite an abasic site by 11-34-fold. At the molecular level, the enhancement in translesion DNA synthesis reflects a substantial increase in the rate of the conformational change preceding phosphoryl transfer for all dNTPs that were tested. This is best illustrated by the biphasic pre-steady-state time course of dAMP insertion opposite an abasic site which indicates that a step after chemistry is rate-limiting for steady-state enzyme turnover. Furthermore, the k(pol) value of 40 s(-1) measured under single-turnover reaction conditions is 20-fold greater than the k(cat) value of 2 s(-1) measured for steady-state enzyme turnover. Finally, the low elemental effect ( approximately 2.4-fold reduction in k(pol)) measured by substituting the alpha-thiotriphosphate analogue for dATP further argues that chemistry is not rate-limiting. In contrast to the biphasic insertion of dAMP, pre-steady-state time courses for the insertion of dCMP, dGMP, or dTMP opposite an abasic site were linear. Nearly identical k(pol) values ( approximately 1 s(-1)) were measured for the insertion of dCMP, dGMP, and dTMP opposite the abasic site using single-turnover conditions. However, the large elemental effects of 27 and 70 measured by substituting the alpha-thiotriphosphate analogues for dCTP and dGTP, respectively, suggest that phosphoryl transfer may be the rate-limiting step for their insertion opposite the abasic site. Various models are discussed in an attempt to explain the effect of metal ion substitution on the dynamics of translesion DNA replication.     

Translesion synthesis past equine estrogen-derived 2'-deoxyadenosine DNA adducts by human DNA polymerases eta and kappa

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the risk of developing breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. Equilin and equilenin are the major components of the widely prescribed drug used for HRT. 4-Hydroxyequilenin (4-OHEN), a major metabolite of equilin and equilenin, promotes 4-OHEN-modified dC, dA, and dG DNA adducts. These DNA adducts were detected in breast tumor and adjacent normal tissues of several patients receiving HRT. We have recently found that the 4-OHEN-dC DNA adduct is a highly miscoding lesion generating C --> T transitions and C --> G transversions. To explore the mutagenic potential of another major 4-OHEN-dA adduct, site-specifically modified oligodeoxynucleotides containing a single diastereoisomer of 4-OHEN-dA (Pk-1, Pk-2, and Pk-3) were prepared by a postsynthetic method and used as DNA templates for primer extension reactions catalyzed by human DNA polymerase (pol) eta and kappa that are highly expressed in the reproductive organs. Primer extension catalyzed by pol eta or pol kappa occurred rapidly on the unmodified template to form fully extended products. With the major 4-OHEN-dA-modified templates (Pk-2 and Pk-3), primer extension was retarded prior to the lesion and opposite the lesion; a fraction of the primers was extended past the lesion. Steady-state kinetic studies with pol eta and pol kappa indicated that dTMP, the correct base, was preferentially incorporated opposite the 4-OHEN-dA lesion. In addition, pol eta and pol kappa bypassed the lesion by incorporating dAMP and dCMP, respectively, opposite the lesion and extended past the lesion. The relative bypass frequency past the 4-OHEN-dA lesion with pol eta was at least 2 orders of magnitude higher than that observed with pol kappa. The bypass frequency past Pk-2 was more efficient than that past Pk-3. Thus, 4-OHEN-dA is a miscoding lesion generating A --> T transversions and A --> G transitions. The miscoding frequency and specificity of 4-OHEN-dA varied depending on the stereoisomer of the 4-OHEN-dA adduct and DNA polymerase used.     

Structure of purine-purine mispairs during misincorporation and extension by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I

The mechanism by which purine-purine mispairs are formed and extended was examined with the high-fidelity Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I with the proofreading exonuclease activity inactivated. The structures of the purine-purine mispairs were examined by comparing the kinetics of mispair formation with adenine versus 7-deazaadenine and guanine versus 7-deazaguanine at four positions in the DNA, the incoming dNTP, the template base, and both positions of the terminal base pair. A decrease in rate associated with a 7-deazapurine substitution would suggest that the nucleotide is in a syn conformation in a Hoogsteen base pair with the opposite base. During mispair formation, the k(pol)/K(d) values for the insertion of dATP opposite A (dATP/A) as well as dATP/G and dGTP/G were decreased greater than 10-fold with the deazapurine in the dNTP. These results suggest that during mispair formation the newly forming base pair is in a Hoogsteen geometry with the incoming dNTP in the syn conformation and the template base in the anti conformation. During mispair extension, the only decrease in k(pol)/K(d) was associated with the G/G base pair in which 7-deazaguanine was in the template strand. These results as well as previous results [McCain et al. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 5647-5659] in which a hydrogen bond was found between the 3-position of guanine at the primer terminus and Arg668 during G/A and G/G mispair extension indicate that the conformation of the purine at the primer terminus is in the anti conformation during mispair extension. These results suggest that purine-purine mispairs are formed via a Hoogsteen geometry in which the dNTP is in the syn conformation and the template is in the anti conformation. During extension, however, the conformation of the primer terminus changes to an anti configuration while the template base may be in either the syn or anti conformations.