Plant homologue of human excision repair gene ERCC1 points to conservation of DNA repair mechanisms |
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| Authors: | Huiling Xu,Ines Swoboda,Prem L. Bhalla,Anneke M. Sijbers,Chongxin Zhao,Eng&# kok Ong,Jan H. J. Hoeijmakers,Mohan B. Singh |
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| Affiliation: | ;1Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, and ;2Department of Cell Biology, Genetics, Medical Genetics Centre, Erasmus University, PO Box 1738,3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | Nucleotide excision repair (NER), a highly versatile DNA repair mechanism, is capable of removing various types of DNA damage including those induced by UV radiation and chemical mutagens. NER has been well characterized in yeast and mammalian systems but its presence in plants has not been reported. Here it is reported that a plant gene isolated from male germline cells of lily (Lilium longiflorum) shows a striking amino acid sequence similarity to the DNA excision repair proteins human ERCC1 and yeast RAD10. Homologous genes are also shown to be present in a number of taxonomically diverse plant genera tested, suggesting that this gene may have a conserved function in plants. The protein encoded by this gene is able to correct significantly the sensitivity to the cross-linking agent mitomycin C in ERCC1-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. These findings suggest that the NER mechanism is conserved in yeast, animals and higher plants. |
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