Work

Preferential binding of ATR protein to UV-damaged DNA

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: The ATR protein is a member of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related kinase family and plays an important role in UV-induced DNA damage checkpoint response. Its role as a signal transducer in cell cycle checkpoint is well established, but it is currently unclear whether ATR functions as a damage sensor as well. Here we have purified the ATR protein and investigated its interaction with DNA by using biochemical analysis and electron microscopy. We find that ATR is a DNA-binding protein with higher affinity to UV-damaged than undamaged DNA. In addition, damaged DNA stimulates the kinase activity of ATR to a significantly higher level than undamaged DNA. Our data suggest that ATR may function as an initial sensor in the DNA damage checkpoint response.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.102167799

Authors: Keziban Ünsal-Kaçmaz, Alexander M. Makhov, Jack D. Griffith, Aziz Sancar

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: DNA Repair Mechanisms

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences