Kinetic analysis of translesion synthesis opposite bulky N2- and O6-alkylguanine DNA adducts by human DNA polymerase REV1

Abstract

REV1, a Y family DNA polymerase (pol), is involved in replicative bypass past DNA lesions, so-called translesion DNA synthesis. In addition to a structural role as a scaffold protein, REV1 has been proposed to play a catalytic role as a dCTP transferase in translesion DNA synthesis past abasic and guanine lesions in eukaryotes. To better understand the catalytic function of REV1 in guanine lesion bypass, purified recombinant human REV1 was studied with two series of guanine lesions, N2-alkylG adducts (in oligonucleotides) ranging in size from methyl (Me) to CH2(6-benzo[a] pyrenyl) (BP) and O6-alkylG adducts ranging from Me to 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyl (Pob). REV1 readily produced 1-base incorporation opposite G and all G adducts except for O6-PobG, which caused almost complete blockage. Steady-state kinetic parameters (kcat/K m) were similar for insertion of dCTP opposite G and N2-G adducts but were severely reduced opposite the O6-G adducts. REV1 showed apparent pre-steady-state burst kinetics for dCTP incorporation only opposite N2-BPG and little, if any, opposite G, N2-benzyl (Bz)G, or O6-BzG. The maximal polymerization rate (kpol 0.9 s-1) opposite N2-BPG was almost the same as opposite G, with only slightly decreased binding affinity to dCTP (2.5-fold). REV1 bound N2-BPG-adducted DNA 3-fold more tightly than unmodified G-containing DNA. These results and the lack of an elemental effect ((Sp)- 2′-deoxycytidine 5′-O-(1-thiotriphosphate)) suggest that the late steps after product formation (possibly product release) become rate-limiting in catalysis opposite N2-BPG. We conclude that human REV1, apparently the slowest Y family polymerase, is kinetically highly tolerant to N 2-adduct at G but not to O6-adducts. © 2008 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.