Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are one of the most deleterious lesions and if left unrepaired, they lead to cell death, genomic instability and carcinogenesis. Cells combat DSBs by two pathways: homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), wherein the two DNA ends are re-joined. Recently a back-up NHEJ pathway has been reported and is referred to as alternative NHEJ (aNHEJ), which joins ends but results in deletions and insertions. NHEJ requires processing enzymes including nucleases and polymerases, although the roles of these enzymes are poorly understood. Emerging evidence indicates that X family DNA polymerases lambda (Pol λ) and mu (Pol μ) promote DNA end-joining. Here, we show that DNA polymerase beta (Pol β), another member of the X family of DNA polymerases, plays a role in aNHEJ. In the absence of DNA Pol β, fewer small deletions are observed. In addition, depletion of Pol β results in cellular sensitivity to bleomycin and DNA protein kinase catalytic subunit inhibitors due to defective repair of DSBs. In summary, our results indicate that Pol β in functions in aNHEJ and provide mechanistic insight into its role in this process.
Source: Nucleic Acids Research
DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx1147
Institution: Yale University
Language: English
Topic: DNA Repair Mechanisms
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,992
OpenAlex ID: W2771003110