Structures of DNA polymerase beta with active-site mismatches suggest a transient abasic site intermediate during misincorporation

Divalent ions attenuate DNA synthesis by human DNA polymerase α by changing the structure of the template/primer or by perturbing the polymerase reaction

DNA polymerases (pols) are sophisticated protein machines operating in the replication, repair and recombination of genetic material in the complex environment of the cell. DNA pol reactions require at least two divalent metal ions for the phosphodiester bond formation. We explore two understudied roles of metals in pol transactions with emphasis on polα, a crucial enzyme in the initiation of DNA synthesis. We present evidence that the combination of many factors, including the structure of the template/primer, the identity of the metal, the metal turnover in the pol active site, and the influence of the concentration of nucleoside triphosphates, affect DNA pol synthesis. On the poly-dT70 template, the increase of Mg(2+) concentration within the range typically used for pol reactions led to the severe loss of the ability of pol to extend DNA primers and led to a decline in DNA product sizes when extending RNA primers, simulating the effect of "counting" of the number of nucleotides in nascent primers by polα. We suggest that a high Mg(2+) concentration promotes the dynamic formation of unconventional DNA structure(s), thus limiting the apparent processivity of the enzyme. Next, we found that Zn(2+) supported robust polα reactions when the concentration of nucleotides was above the concentration of ions; however, there was only one nucleotide incorporation by the Klenow fragment of DNA pol I. Zn(2+) drastically inhibited polα, but had no effect on Klenow, when Mg(2+) was also present. It is possible that Zn(2+) perturbs metal-mediated transactions in pol active site, for example affecting the step of pyrophosphate removal at the end of each pol cycle necessary for continuation of polymerization.

Induced Fit in the Selection of Correct versus Incorrect Nucleotides by DNA Polymerase β

DNA polymerase β (Pol β) repairs single-nucleotide gapped DNA (sngDNA) by enzymatic incorporation of the Watson-Crick partner nucleotide at the gapped position opposite the templating nucleotide. The process by which the matching nucleotide is incorporated into a sngDNA sequence has been relatively well-characterized, but the process of discrimination from nucleotide misincorporation remains unclear. We report here NMR spectroscopic characterization of full-length, uniformly labeled Pol β in apo, sngDNA-bound binary, and ternary complexes containing matching and mismatching nucleotide. Our data indicate that, while binding of the correct nucleotide to the binary complex induces chemical shift changes consistent with the process of enzyme closure, the ternary Pol β complex containing a mismatching nucleotide exhibits no such changes and appears to remain in an open, unstable, binary-like conformation. Our findings support an induced-fit mechanism for polymerases in which a closed ternary complex can only be achieved in the presence of matching nucleotide.

Intrinsic mutagenic properties of 5-chlorocytosine: A mechanistic connection between chronic inflammation and cancer

During chronic inflammation, neutrophil-secreted hypochlorous acid can damage nearby cells inducing the genomic accumulation of 5-chlorocytosine (5ClC), a known inflammation biomarker. Although 5ClC has been shown to promote epigenetic changes, it has been unknown heretofore if 5ClC directly perpetrates a mutagenic outcome within the cell. The present work shows that 5ClC is intrinsically mutagenic, both in vitro and, at a level of a single molecule per cell, in vivo. Using biochemical and genetic approaches, we have quantified the mutagenic and toxic properties of 5ClC, showing that this lesion caused C→T transitions at frequencies ranging from 3-9% depending on the polymerase traversing the lesion. X-ray crystallographic studies provided a molecular basis for the mutagenicity of 5ClC; a snapshot of human polymerase β replicating across a primed 5ClC-containing template uncovered 5ClC engaged in a nascent base pair with an incoming dATP analog. Accommodation of the chlorine substituent in the template major groove enabled a unique interaction between 5ClC and the incoming dATP, which would facilitate mutagenic lesion bypass. The type of mutation induced by 5ClC, the C→T transition, has been previously shown to occur in substantial amounts both in tissues under inflammatory stress and in the genomes of many inflammation-associated cancers. In fact, many sequence-specific mutational signatures uncovered in sequenced cancer genomes feature C→T mutations. Therefore, the mutagenic ability of 5ClC documented in the present study may constitute a direct functional link between chronic inflammation and the genetic changes that enable and promote malignant transformation.

Two Scaffolds from Two Flips: (α,β)/(β,γ) CH2/NH "Met-Im" Analogues of dTTP

Novel α,β-CH2 and β,γ-NH (1a) or α,β-NH and β,γ-CH2 (1b) "Met-Im" dTTPs were synthesized via monodemethylation of triethyl-dimethyl phosphorimido-bisphosphonate synthons (4a, 4b), formed via a base-induced [1,3]-rearrangement of precursors (3a, 3b) in a reaction with dimethyl or diethyl phosphochloridate. Anomerization during final bromotrimethylsilane (BTMS) deprotection after Mitsunobu conjugation with dT was avoided by microwave conditions. 1a was 9-fold more potent in inhibiting DNA polymerase β, attributed to an NH-group interaction with R183 in the active site.

New structural snapshots provide molecular insights into the mechanism of high fidelity DNA synthesis

Time-lapse X-ray crystallography allows visualization of intermediate structures during the DNA polymerase catalytic cycle. Employing time-lapse crystallography with human DNA polymerase β has recently allowed us to capture and solve novel intermediate structures that are not stable enough to be analyzed by traditional crystallography. The structures of these intermediates reveals exciting surprises about active site metal ions and enzyme conformational changes as the reaction proceeds from the ground state to product release. In this perspective, we provide an overview of recent advances in understanding the DNA polymerase nucleotidyl transferase reaction and highlight both the significance and mysteries of enzyme efficiency and specificity that remain to be solved.

Applications of quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical methods to the chemical insertion step of DNA and RNA polymerization

We review theoretical attempts to model the chemical insertion reactions of nucleoside triphosphates catalyzed by the nucleic acid polymerases using combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical methodology. Due to an existing excellent database of high-resolution X-ray crystal structures, the DNA polymerase β system serves as a useful template for discussion and comparison. The convergence of structures of high-quality complexes and continued developments of theoretical techniques suggest a bright future for understanding the global features of nucleic acid polymerization.

Substrate-induced DNA polymerase β activation

DNA polymerases and substrates undergo conformational changes upon forming protein-ligand complexes. These conformational adjustments can hasten or deter DNA synthesis and influence substrate discrimination. From structural comparison of binary DNA and ternary DNA-dNTP complexes of DNA polymerase β, several side chains have been implicated in facilitating formation of an active ternary complex poised for chemistry. Site-directed mutagenesis of these highly conserved residues (Asp-192, Arg-258, Phe-272, Glu-295, and Tyr-296) and kinetic characterization provides insight into the role these residues play during correct and incorrect insertion as well as their role in conformational activation. The catalytic efficiencies for correct nucleotide insertion for alanine mutants were wild type ∼ R258A > F272A ∼ Y296A > E295A > D192A. Because the efficiencies for incorrect insertion were affected to about the same extent for each mutant, the effects on fidelity were modest (<5-fold). The R258A mutant exhibited an increase in the single-turnover rate of correct nucleotide insertion. This suggests that the wild-type Arg-258 side chain generates a population of non-productive ternary complexes. Structures of binary and ternary substrate complexes of the R258A mutant and a mutant associated with gastric carcinomas, E295K, provide molecular insight into intermediate structural conformations not appreciated previously. Although the R258A mutant crystal structures were similar to wild-type enzyme, the open ternary complex structure of E295K indicates that Arg-258 stabilizes a non-productive conformation of the primer terminus that would decrease catalysis. Significantly, the open E295K ternary complex binds two metal ions indicating that metal binding cannot overcome the modified interactions that have interrupted the closure of the N-subdomain.

Structural basis for the inefficient nucleotide incorporation opposite cisplatin-DNA lesion by human DNA polymerase β

Human DNA polymerase β (polβ) has been suggested to play a role in cisplatin resistance, especially in polβ-overexpressing cancer cells. Polβ has been shown to accurately albeit slowly bypass the cisplatin-1,2-d(GpG) (Pt-GG) intramolecular cross-link in vitro. Currently, the structural basis for the inefficient Pt-GG bypass mechanism of polβ is unknown. To gain structural insights into the mechanism, we determined two ternary structures of polβ incorporating dCTP opposite the templating Pt-GG lesion in the presence of the active site Mg(2+) or Mn(2+). The Mg(2+)-bound structure shows that the bulky Pt-GG adduct is accommodated in the polβ active site without any steric hindrance. In addition, both guanines of the Pt-GG lesion form Watson-Crick base pairing with the primer terminus dC and the incoming dCTP, providing the structural basis for the accurate bypass of the Pt-GG adduct by polβ. The Mn(2+)-bound structure shows that polβ adopts a catalytically suboptimal semiclosed conformation during the insertion of dCTP opposite the templating Pt-GG, explaining the inefficient replication across the Pt-GG lesion by polβ. Overall, our studies provide the first structural insights into the mechanism of the potential polβ-mediated cisplatin resistance.

The spontaneous replication error and the mismatch discrimination mechanisms of human DNA polymerase β

To provide molecular-level insights into the spontaneous replication error and the mismatch discrimination mechanisms of human DNA polymerase β (polβ), we report four crystal structures of polβ complexed with dG•dTTP and dA•dCTP mismatches in the presence of Mg2+ or Mn2+. The Mg(2+)-bound ground-state structures show that the dA•dCTP-Mg2+ complex adopts an 'intermediate' protein conformation while the dG•dTTP-Mg2+ complex adopts an open protein conformation. The Mn(2+)-bound 'pre-chemistry-state' structures show that the dA•dCTP-Mn2+ complex is structurally very similar to the dA•dCTP-Mg2+ complex, whereas the dG•dTTP-Mn2+ complex undergoes a large-scale conformational change to adopt a Watson-Crick-like dG•dTTP base pair and a closed protein conformation. These structural differences, together with our molecular dynamics simulation studies, suggest that polβ increases replication fidelity via a two-stage mismatch discrimination mechanism, where one is in the ground state and the other in the closed conformation state. In the closed conformation state, polβ appears to allow only a Watson-Crick-like conformation for purine•pyrimidine base pairs, thereby discriminating the mismatched base pairs based on their ability to form the Watson-Crick-like conformation. Overall, the present studies provide new insights into the spontaneous replication error and the replication fidelity mechanisms of polβ.

Transition-state destabilization reveals how human DNA polymerase β proceeds across the chemically unstable lesion N7-methylguanine

N7-Methyl-2′-deoxyguanosine (m7dG) is the predominant lesion formed by methylating agents. A systematic investigation on the effect of m7dG on DNA replication has been difficult due to the chemical instability of m7dG. To gain insights into the m7dG effect, we employed a 2′-fluorine-mediated transition-state destabilzation strategy. Specifically, we determined kinetic parameters for dCTP insertion opposite a chemically stable m7dG analogue, 2′-fluoro-m7dG (Fm7dG), by human DNA polymerase β (polβ) and solved three X-ray structures of polβ in complex with the templating Fm7dG paired with incoming dCTP or dTTP analogues. The kinetic studies reveal that the templating Fm7dG slows polβ catalysis ∼300-fold, suggesting that m7dG in genomic DNA may impede replication by some DNA polymerases. The structural analysis reveals that Fm7dG forms a canonical Watson–Crick base pair with dCTP, but metal ion coordination is suboptimal for catalysis in the polβ-Fm7dG:dCTP complex, which partially explains the slow insertion of dCTP opposite Fm7dG by polβ. In addition, the polβ-Fm7dG:dTTP structure shows open protein conformations and staggered base pair conformations, indicating that N7-methylation of dG does not promote a promutagenic replication. Overall, the first systematic studies on the effect of m7dG on DNA replication reveal that polβ catalysis across m7dG is slow, yet highly accurate.

Phosphate analogues in the dissection of mechanism

Phosphoryl group transfer is central to genetic replication, cellular signalling and many metabolic processes. Understanding the mechanisms of phosphorylation and phosphate ester and anhydride cleavage is key to efforts towards biotechnological and biomedical exploitation of phosphate-handling enzymes. Analogues of phosphate esters and anhydrides are indispensable tools, alongside protein mutagenesis and computational methods, for the dissection of phosphoryl transfer mechanisms. Hydrolysable and non-hydrolysable phosphate analogues have provided insight into the nature and sites of phosphoryl transfer processes. Kinetic isotope effects and crystallography using transition state analogues have painted more detailed pictures of transition states and how enzymes work to stabilise them.

Structure and mechanism of DNA polymerase β

DNA polymerase (pol) β is a small eukaryotic DNA polymerase composed of two domains. Each domain contributes an enzymatic activity (DNA synthesis and deoxyribose phosphate lyase) during the repair of simple base lesions. These domains are termed the polymerase and lyase domains, respectively. Pol β has been an excellent model enzyme for studying the nucleotidyl transferase reaction and substrate discrimination at a molecular level. In this review, recent crystallographic studies of pol β in various liganded and conformational states during the insertion of right and wrong nucleotides as well as during the bypass of damaged DNA (apurinic sites and 8-oxoguanine) are described. Structures of these catalytic intermediates provide unexpected insights into mechanisms by which DNA polymerases enhance genome stability. These structures also provide an improved framework that permits computational studies to facilitate the interpretation of detailed kinetic analyses of this model enzyme.

Metal-dependent conformational activation explains highly promutagenic replication across O6-methylguanine by human DNA polymerase β

Human DNA polymerase β (polβ) inserts, albeit slowly, T opposite the carcinogenic lesion O6-methylguanine (O6MeG) ∼30-fold more frequently than C. To gain insight into this promutagenic process, we solved four ternary structures of polβ with an incoming dCTP or dTTP analogue base-paired with O6MeG in the presence of active-site Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺. The Mg²⁺-bound structures show that both the O6MeG·dCTP/dTTP–Mg²⁺ complexes adopt an open protein conformation, staggered base pair, and one active-site metal ion. The Mn²⁺-bound structures reveal that, whereas the O6Me·dCTP–Mn²⁺ complex assumes the similar altered conformation, the O6MeG·dTTP–Mn²⁺ complex adopts a catalytically competent state with a closed protein conformation and pseudo-Watson–Crick base pair. On the basis of these observations, we conclude that polβ slows nucleotide incorporation opposite O6MeG by inducing an altered conformation suboptimal for catalysis and promotes mutagenic replication by allowing Watson–Crick-mode for O6MeG·T but not for O6MeG·C in the enzyme active site. The O6MeG·dTTP–Mn²⁺ ternary structure, which represents the first structure of mismatched polβ ternary complex with a closed protein conformation and coplanar base pair, the first structure of pseudo-Watson–Crick O6MeG·T formed in the active site of a DNA polymerase, and a rare, if not the first, example of metal-dependent conformational activation of a DNA polymerase, indicate that catalytic metal-ion coordination is utilized as a kinetic checkpoint by polβ and is crucial for the conformational activation of polβ. Overall, our structural studies not only explain the promutagenic polβ catalysis across O6MeG but also provide new insights into the replication fidelity of polβ.

Optimal and variant metal-ion routes in DNA polymerase β's conformational pathways

To interpret recent structures of the R283K mutant of human DNA repair enzyme DNA polymerase β (pol β) differing in the number of Mg(2+) ions, we apply transition path sampling (TPS) to assess the effect of differing ion placement on the transition from the open one-metal to the closed two-metal state. We find that the closing pathway depends on the initial ion position, both in terms of the individual transition states and associated energies. The energy barrier of the conformational pathway varies from 25 to 58 kJ/mol, compared to the conformational energy barrier of 42 kJ/mol for the wild-type pol β reported previously. Moreover, we find a preferred ion route located in the center of the enzyme, parallel to the DNA. Within this route, the conformational pathway is similar to that of the overall open to closed transition of pol β, but outside it, especially when the ion starts near active site residues Arg258 and Asp190, the conformational pathway diverges significantly. Our findings should apply generally to pol β, since R283K is relatively far from the active site; further experimental and computational work are required to confirm this. Our studies also underscore the common feature that less active mutants have less stable closed states than their open states, in marked contrast to the wild-type enzyme, where the closed state is significantly more stable than the open form.

Sustained active site rigidity during synthesis by human DNA polymerase μ

DNA polymerase μ (Pol μ) is the only template-dependent human DNA polymerase capable of repairing double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) with unpaired 3' ends in nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). To probe this function, we structurally characterized Pol μ's catalytic cycle for single-nucleotide incorporation. These structures indicate that, unlike other template-dependent DNA polymerases, Pol μ shows no large-scale conformational changes in protein subdomains, amino acid side chains or DNA upon dNTP binding or catalysis. Instead, the only major conformational change is seen earlier in the catalytic cycle, when the flexible loop 1 region repositions upon DNA binding. Pol μ variants with changes in loop 1 have altered catalytic properties and are partially defective in NHEJ. The results indicate that specific loop 1 residues contribute to Pol μ's unique ability to catalyze template-dependent NHEJ of DSBs with unpaired 3' ends.

Structural basis for promutagenicity of 8-halogenated guanine

8-Halogenated guanine (haloG), a major DNA adduct formed by reactive halogen species during inflammation, is a promutagenic lesion that promotes misincorporation of G opposite the lesion by various DNA polymerases. Currently, the structural basis for such misincorporation is unknown. To gain insights into the mechanism of misincorporation across haloG by polymerase, we determined seven x-ray structures of human DNA polymerase β (polβ) bound to DNA bearing 8-bromoguanine (BrG). We determined two pre-catalytic ternary complex structures of polβ with an incoming nonhydrolyzable dGTP or dCTP analog paired with templating BrG. We also determined five binary complex structures of polβ in complex with DNA containing BrG·C/T at post-insertion and post-extension sites. In the BrG·dGTP ternary structure, BrG adopts syn conformation and forms Hoogsteen base pairing with the incoming dGTP analog. In the BrG·dCTP ternary structure, BrG adopts anti conformation and forms Watson-Crick base pairing with the incoming dCTP analog. In addition, our polβ binary post-extension structures show Hoogsteen BrG·G base pair and Watson-Crick BrG·C base pair. Taken together, the first structures of haloG-containing DNA bound to a protein indicate that both BrG·G and BrG·C base pairs are accommodated in the active site of polβ. Our structures suggest that Hoogsteen-type base pairing between G and C8-modified G could be accommodated in the active site of a DNA polymerase, promoting G to C mutation.

Exonuclease of human DNA polymerase gamma disengages its strand displacement function

Pol γ, the only DNA polymerase found in human mitochondria, functions in both mtDNA repair and replication. During mtDNA base-excision repair, gaps are created after damaged base excision. Here we show that Pol γ efficiently gap-fills except when the gap is only a single nucleotide. Although wild-type Pol γ has very limited ability for strand displacement DNA synthesis, exo(-) (3'-5' exonuclease-deficient) Pol γ has significantly high activity and rapidly unwinds downstream DNA, synthesizing DNA at a rate comparable to that of the wild-type enzyme on a primer-template. The catalytic subunit Pol γA alone, even when exo(-), is unable to synthesize by strand displacement, making this the only known reaction of Pol γ holoenzyme that has an absolute requirement for the accessory subunit Pol γB.

The E295K cancer variant of human polymerase β favors the mismatch conformational pathway during nucleotide selection

DNA polymerase β (pol β) is responsible for gap filling synthesis during repair of damaged DNA as part of the base excision repair pathway. Human pol β mutations were recently identified in a high percentage (∼30%) of tumors. Characterization of specific cancer variants is particularly useful to further the understanding of the general mechanism of pol β while providing context to disease contribution. We showed that expression of the carcinoma variant E295K induces cellular transformation. The poor polymerase activity exhibited by the variant was hypothesized to be caused by the destabilization of proper active site assembly by the glutamate to lysine mutation. Here, we show that this variant exhibits an unusual preference for binding dCTP opposite a templating adenine over the cognate dTTP. Biochemical studies indicate that the noncognate competes with the cognate nucleotide for binding to the polymerase active site with the noncognate incorporation a function of higher affinity and not increased activity. In the crystal structure of the variant bound to dA:dCTP, the fingers domain closes around the mismatched base pair. Nucleotide incorporation is hindered because key residues in the polymerase active site are not properly positioned for nucleotidyl transfer. In contrast to the noncognate dCTP, neither the cognate dTTP nor its nonhydrolyzable analog induced fingers closure, as isomorphous difference Fourier maps show that the cognate nucleotides are bound to the open state of the polymerase. Comparison with published structures provides insight into the structural rearrangements within pol β that occur during the process of nucleotide discrimination.

Observing a DNA polymerase choose right from wrong

DNA polymerase (pol) β is a model polymerase involved in gap-filling DNA synthesis utilizing two metals to facilitate nucleotidyl transfer. Previous structural studies have trapped catalytic intermediates by utilizing substrate analogs (dideoxy-terminated primer or nonhydrolysable incoming nucleotide). To identify additional intermediates during catalysis, we now employ natural substrates (correct and incorrect nucleotides) and follow product formation in real time with 15 different crystal structures. We are able to observe molecular adjustments at the active site that hasten correct nucleotide insertion and deter incorrect insertion not appreciated previously. A third metal binding site is transiently formed during correct, but not incorrect, nucleotide insertion. Additionally, long incubations indicate that pyrophosphate more easily dissociates after incorrect, compared to correct, nucleotide insertion. This appears to be coupled to subdomain repositioning that is required for catalytic activation/deactivation. The structures provide insights into a fundamental chemical reaction that impacts polymerase fidelity and genome stability.

Insights into the conformation of aminofluorene-deoxyguanine adduct in a DNA polymerase active site

The active site conformation of the mutagenic fluoroaminofluorene-deoxyguanine adduct (dG-FAF, N-(2'-deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-7-fluoro-2-aminofluorene) has been investigated in the presence of Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Kfexo(-)) and DNA polymerase β (pol β) using (19)F NMR, insertion assay, and surface plasmon resonance. In a single nucleotide gap, the dG-FAF adduct adopts both a major-groove- oriented and base-displaced stacked conformation, and this heterogeneity is retained upon binding pol β. The addition of a non-hydrolysable 2'-deoxycytosine-5'-[(α,β)-methyleno]triphosphate (dCMPcPP) nucleotide analog to the binary complex results in an increase of the major groove conformation of the adduct at the expense of the stacked conformation. Similar results were obtained with the addition of an incorrect dAMPcPP analog but with formation of the minor groove binding conformer. In contrast, dG-FAF adduct at the replication fork for the Kfexo(-) complex adopts a mix of the major and minor groove conformers with minimal effect upon the addition of non-hydrolysable nucleotides. For pol β, the insertion of dCTP was preferred opposite the dG-FAF adduct in a single nucleotide gap assay consistent with (19)F NMR data. Surface plasmon resonance binding kinetics revealed that pol β binds tightly with DNA in the presence of correct dCTP, but the adduct weakens binding with no nucleotide specificity. These results provide molecular insights into the DNA binding characteristics of FAF in the active site of DNA polymerases and the role of DNA structure and sequence on its coding potential.

DNA polymerase minor groove interactions modulate mutagenic bypass of a templating 8-oxoguanine lesion

A major base lesion resulting from oxidative stress is 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxoG) that has ambiguous coding potential. Error-free DNA synthesis involves 8-oxoG adopting an anti-conformation to base pair with cytosine whereas mutagenic bypass involves 8-oxoG adopting a syn-conformation to base pair with adenine. Left unrepaired the syn-8-oxoG/dAMP base pair results in a G–C to T–A transversion. During base excision repair of this mispair, DNA polymerase (pol) β is confronted with gap filling opposite 8-oxoG. To determine how pol β discriminates between anti- and syn-8-oxoG, we introduced a point mutation (R283K) to alter insertion specificity. Kinetic studies demonstrate that this substitution results in an increased fidelity opposite 8-oxoG. Structural studies with R283K pol β show that the binary DNA complex has 8-oxoG in equilibrium between anti- and syn-forms. Ternary complexes with incoming dCTP resemble the wild-type enzyme, with templating anti-8-oxoG base pairing with incoming cytosine. In contrast to wild-type pol β, the ternary complex of the R283K mutant with an incoming dATP-analogue and templating 8-oxoG resembles a G–A mismatched structure with 8-oxoG adopting an anti-conformation. These results demonstrate that the incoming nucleotide is unable to induce a syn-8-oxoG conformation without minor groove DNA polymerase interactions that influence templating (anti-/syn-equilibrium) of 8-oxoG while modulating fidelity.

DNA mismatch synthesis complexes provide insights into base selectivity of a B family DNA polymerase

Current hypotheses that attempt to rationalize the high degree of base selectivity exhibited by replicative DNA polymerases (pols) concur that ternary complexes formed with incorrect dNTPs are destabilized. Knowing what accounts for this destabilization is likely to be the key to understanding base discrimination. To address this issue, we have determined crystal structures of ternary complexes with all 12 mismatches using an engineered RB69 pol quadruple mutant (qm, L415A/L561A/S565G/Y567A) that enabled us to capture nascent mispaired dNTPs. These structures show that mismatches in the nascent base-pair binding pocket (NBP) of the qm pol differ markedly from mismatches embedded in binary pol-DNA complexes. Surprisingly, only 3 of 12 mismatches clash with the NBP when they are modeled into the wild-type (wt) pol. The remaining can fit into a wt pol ternary complex but deviate from normal Watson-Crick base-pairs. Repositioning of the templating nucleotide residue and the enlarged NBP in qm ternary complex play important roles in accommodating incorrect incoming dNTPs. From these structures, we propose additional reasons as to why incorrect dNTPs are incorporated so inefficiently by wt RB69 pol: (i) steric clashes with side chains in the NBP after Fingers closing; (ii) weak interactions or large gaps between the incoming dNTP and the templating base; and (iii) burying a protonated base in the hydrophobic environment of the NBP. All of these possibilities would be expected to destabilize the closed ternary complex so that incorporation of incorrect dNTP would be a rare event.

Perspective: pre-chemistry conformational changes in DNA polymerase mechanisms

In recent papers, there has been a lively exchange concerning theories for enzyme catalysis, especially the role of protein dynamics/pre-chemistry conformational changes in the catalytic cycle of enzymes. Of particular interest is the notion that substrate-induced conformational changes that assemble the polymerase active site prior to chemistry are required for DNA synthesis and impact fidelity (i.e., substrate specificity). High-resolution crystal structures of DNA polymerase β representing intermediates of substrate complexes prior to the chemical step are available. These structures indicate that conformational adjustments in both the protein and substrates must occur to achieve the requisite geometry of the reactive participants for catalysis. We discuss computational and kinetic methods to examine possible conformational change pathways that lead from the observed crystal structure intermediates to the final structures poised for chemistry. The results, as well as kinetic data from site-directed mutagenesis studies, are consistent with models requiring pre-chemistry conformational adjustments in order to achieve high fidelity DNA synthesis. Thus, substrate-induced conformational changes that assemble the polymerase active site prior to chemistry contribute to DNA synthesis even when they do not represent actual rate-determining steps for chemistry.

DNA polymerase β gap-filling translesion DNA synthesis

Although the primary function of DNA polymerase (pol) β is associated with gap-filling DNA synthesis as part of the DNA base excision repair pathway, translesion synthesis activity has also been described. To further understand the potential role of pol β-catalyzed translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) and the structure–function relationships of specific residues in pol β, wild-type and selected mutants of pol β were used in TLS assays with DNA substrates containing bulky polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-adducted oligonucleotides. Stereospecific (+) and (−)-anti-trans-(C₁₀S and C₁₀R) benzo[a]pyrene-7,8- dihydrodiol-9-10-epoxide (BPDE) adducts were covalently attached to both the N⁶-adenine and N²-guanine in the major and minor grooves, respectively. For all substrates tested, the presence of the BPDE adducts greatly decreased the efficiency of nucleotide incorporation opposite the lesion, and the stereochemistry of the adducts also further modulated the efficiency of the insertion step, such that lesions which were oriented in the 3′ direction relative to the approaching polymerase were considerably more blocking than those oriented in the 5′ direction. In the absence of a downstream DNA strand, the extension step beyond the adduct was extremely inefficient, relative to a dinucleotide gap-filling reaction, such that in the presence of the downstream DNA, dinucleotide incorporation was strongly favored. In general, analyses of the TLS activities of four pol β mutants revealed similar overall properties, but wild-type pol β exhibited more than 50-fold greater extension and bypass of the C₁₀S-dA adducts as compared to a low fidelity mutant R283K expected to interact with the templating base. Replication bypass investigations were further extended to include analyses of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, and these studies revealed patterns of inhibition very similar to that observed for pol β.

Structures of dNTP intermediate states during DNA polymerase active site assembly

DNA polymerase and substrate conformational changes are essential for high-fidelity DNA synthesis. Structures of DNA polymerase (pol) β in complex with DNA show the enzyme in an "open" conformation. Subsequent to binding the nucleotide, the polymerase "closes" around the nascent base pair with two metals positioned for chemistry. However, structures of substrate/active site intermediates prior to closure are lacking. By destabilizing the closed complex, we determined unique ternary complex structures of pol β with correct and incorrect incoming nucleotides bound to the open conformation. These structures reveal that Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding is assessed upon initial complex formation. Importantly, nucleotide-bound states representing intermediate metal coordination states occur with active site assembly. The correct, but not incorrect, nucleotide maintains Watson-Crick hydrogen bonds during interconversion of these states. These structures indicate that the triphosphate of the incoming nucleotide undergoes rearrangement prior to closure, providing an opportunity to deter misinsertion and increase fidelity.

Catalytic effects of mutations of distant protein residues in human DNA polymerase β: theory and experiment

We carried out free-energy calculations and transient kinetic experiments for the insertion of the right (dC) and wrong (dA) nucleotides by wild-type (WT) and six mutant variants of human DNA polymerase β (Pol β). Since the mutated residues in the point mutants, I174S, I260Q, M282L, H285D, E288K, and K289M, were not located in the Pol β catalytic site, we assumed that the WT and its point mutants share the same dianionic phosphorane transition-state structure of the triphosphate moiety of deoxyribonucleotide 5'-triphosphate (dNTP) substrate. On the basis of this assumption, we have formulated a thermodynamic cycle for calculating relative dNTP insertion efficiencies, Ω = (k(pol)/K(D))(mut)/(k(pol)/K(D))(WT) using free-energy perturbation (FEP) and linear interaction energy (LIE) methods. Kinetic studies on five of the mutants have been published previously using different experimental conditions, e.g., primer-template sequences. We have performed a presteady kinetic analysis for the six mutants for comparison with wild-type Pol β using the same conditions, including the same primer/template DNA sequence proximal to the dNTP insertion site used for X-ray crystallographic studies. This consistent set of kinetic and structural data allowed us to eliminate the DNA sequence from the list of factors that can adversely affect calculated Ω values. The calculations using the FEP free energies scaled by 0.5 yielded 0.9 and 1.1 standard deviations from the experimental log Ω values for the insertion of the right and wrong dNTP, respectively. We examined a hybrid FEP/LIE method in which the FEP van der Waals term for the interaction of the mutated amino acid residue with its surrounding environment was replaced by the corresponding van der Waals term calculated using the LIE method, resulting in improved 0.4 and 1.0 standard deviations from the experimental log Ω values. These scaled FEP and FEP/LIE methods were also used to predict log Ω for R283A and R283L Pol β mutants.

MsDpo4-a DinB Homolog from Mycobacterium smegmatis-Is an Error-Prone DNA Polymerase That Can Promote G:T and T:G Mismatches

Error-prone DNA synthesis in prokaryotes imparts plasticity to the genome to allow for evolution in unfavorable environmental conditions, and this phenomenon is termed adaptive mutagenesis. At a molecular level, adaptive mutagenesis is mediated by upregulating the expression of specialized error-prone DNA polymerases that generally belong to the Y-family, such as the polypeptide product of the dinB gene in case of E. coli. However, unlike E. coli, it has been seen that expression of the homologs of dinB in Mycobacterium tuberculosis are not upregulated under conditions of stress. These studies suggest that DinB homologs in Mycobacteria might not be able to promote mismatches and participate in adaptive mutagenesis. We show that a representative homolog from Mycobacterium smegmatis (MsDpo4) can carry out template-dependent nucleotide incorporation and therefore is a DNA polymerase. In addition, it is seen that MsDpo4 is also capable of misincorporation with a significant ability to promote G:T and T:G mismatches. The frequency of misincorporation for these two mismatches is similar to that exhibited by archaeal and prokaryotic homologs. Overall, our data show that MsDpo4 has the capacity to facilitate transition mutations and can potentially impart plasticity to the genome.

Amino acid templating mechanisms in selection of nucleotides opposite abasic sites by a family a DNA polymerase

Cleavage of the N-glycosidic bond that connects the nucleobase to the backbone in DNA leads to abasic sites, the most frequent lesion under physiological conditions. Several DNA polymerases preferentially incorporate an A opposite this lesion, a phenomenon termed "A-rule." Accordingly, KlenTaq, the large fragment of Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I, incorporates a nucleotide opposite an abasic site with efficiencies of A > G > T > C. Here we provide structural insights into constraints of the active site during nucleotide selection opposite an abasic site. It appears that these confines govern the nucleotide selection mainly by interaction of the incoming nucleotide with Tyr-671. Depending on the nucleobase, the nucleotides are differently positioned opposite Tyr-671 resulting in different alignments of the functional groups that are required for bond formation. The distances between the α-phosphate and the 3'-primer terminus increases in the order A < G < T, which follows the order of incorporation efficiency. Additionally, a binary KlenTaq structure bound to DNA containing an abasic site indicates that binding of the nucleotide triggers a remarkable rearrangement of enzyme and DNA template. The ability to resolve the stacking arrangement might be dependent on the intrinsic properties of the respective nucleotide contributing to nucleotide selection. Furthermore, we studied the incorporation of a non-natural nucleotide opposite an abasic site. The nucleotide was often used in studying stacking effects in DNA polymerization. Here, no interaction with Tyr-761 as found for the natural nucleotides is observed, indicating a different reaction path for this non-natural nucleotide.

Bidentate and tridentate metal-ion coordination states within ternary complexes of RB69 DNA polymerase

Two divalent metal ions are required for primer-extension catalyzed by DNA polymerases. One metal ion brings the 3'-hydroxyl of the primer terminus and the α-phosphorus atom of incoming dNTP together for bond formation so that the catalytically relevant conformation of the triphosphate tail of the dNTP is in an α,β,γ-tridentate coordination complex with the second metal ion required for proper substrate alignment. A probable base selectivity mechanism derived from structural studies on Dpo4 suggests that the inability of mispaired dNTPs to form a substrate-aligned, tridentate coordination complex could effectively cause the mispaired dNTPs to be rejected before catalysis. Nevertheless, we found that mispaired dNTPs can actually form a properly aligned tridentate coordination complex. However, complementary dNTPs occasionally form misaligned complexes with mutant RB69 DNA polymerases (RB69pols) that are not in a tridentate coordination state. Here, we report finding a β,γ-bidentate coordination complex that contained the complementary dUpNpp opposite dA in the structure of a ternary complex formed by the wild type RB69pol at 1.88 Å resolution. Our observations suggest that several distinct metal-ion coordination states can exist at the ground state in the polymerase active site and that base selectivity is unlikely to be based on metal-ion coordination alone.

Base excision repair and cancer

Base excision repair is the system used from bacteria to man to remove the tens of thousands of endogenous DNA damages produced daily in each human cell. Base excision repair is required for normal mammalian development and defects have been associated with neurological disorders and cancer. In this paper we provide an overview of short patch base excision repair in humans and summarize current knowledge of defects in base excision repair in mouse models and functional studies on short patch base excision repair germ line polymorphisms and their relationship to cancer. The biallelic germ line mutations that result in MUTYH-associated colon cancer are also discussed.

Binary complex crystal structure of DNA polymerase β reveals multiple conformations of the templating 8-oxoguanine lesion

Oxidation of genomic DNA forms the guanine lesion 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). When in the template base position during DNA synthesis the 8-oxoG lesion has dual coding potential by virtue of its anti- and syn-conformations, base pairing with cytosine and adenine, respectively. This impacts mutagenesis, because insertion of adenine opposite template 8-oxoG can result in a G to T transversion. DNA polymerases vary by orders of magnitude in their preferences for mutagenic vs. error-free 8-oxoG lesion bypass. Yet, the structural basis for lesion bypass specificity is not well understood. The DNA base excision repair enzyme DNA polymerase (pol) β is presented with gap-filling synthesis opposite 8-oxoG during repair and has similar insertion efficiencies for dCTP and dATP. We report the structure of pol β in binary complex with template 8-oxoG in a base excision repair substrate. The structure reveals both the syn- and anti-conformations of template 8-oxoG in the confines of the polymerase active site, consistent with the dual coding observed kinetically for this enzyme. A ternary complex structure of pol β with the syn-8-oxoG:anti-A Hoogsteen base pair in the closed fully assembled preinsertion active site is also reported. The syn-conformation of 8-oxoG is stabilized by minor groove hydrogen bonding between the side chain of Arg283 and O8 of 8-oxoG. An adjustment in the position of the phosphodiester backbone 5'-phosphate enables 8-oxoG to adopt the syn-conformation.

Metal-induced DNA translocation leads to DNA polymerase conformational activation

Binding of the catalytic divalent ion to the ternary DNA polymerase β/gapped DNA/dNTP complex is thought to represent the final step in the assembly of the catalytic complex and is consequently a critical determinant of replicative fidelity. We have analyzed the effects of Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ on the conformational activation process based on NMR measurements of [methyl-¹³C]methionine DNA polymerase β. Unexpectedly, both divalent metals were able to produce a template base-dependent conformational activation of the polymerase/1-nt gapped DNA complex in the absence of a complementary incoming nucleotide, albeit with different temperature thresholds. This conformational activation is abolished by substituting Glu295 with lysine, thereby interrupting key hydrogen bonds necessary to stabilize the closed conformation. These and other results indicate that metal-binding can promote: translocation of the primer terminus base pair into the active site; expulsion of an unpaired pyrimidine, but not purine, base from the template-binding pocket; and motions of polymerase subdomains that close the active site. We also have performed pyrophosphorolysis studies that are consistent with predictions based on these results. These findings provide new insight into the relationships between conformational activation, enzyme activity and polymerase fidelity.

The miscoding potential of 5-hydroxycytosine arises due to template instability in the replicative polymerase active site

5-Hydroxycytosine (5-OHC) is a stable oxidation product of cytosine associated with an increased frequency of C → T transition mutations. When this lesion escapes recognition by the base excision repair pathway and persists to serve as a templating base during DNA synthesis, replicative DNA polymerases often misincorporate dAMP at the primer terminus, which can lead to fixation of mutations and subsequent disease. To characterize the dynamics of DNA synthesis opposite 5-OHC, we initiated a comparison of unmodified dCMP to 5-OHC, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), and 5-methylcytosine (5-MEC) in which these bases act as templates in the active site of RB69 gp43, a high-fidelity DNA polymerase sharing homology with human replicative DNA polymerases. This study presents the first crystal structure of any DNA polymerase binding this physiologically important premutagenic DNA lesion, showing that while dGMP is stabilized by 5-OHC through normal Watson-Crick base pairing, incorporation of dAMP leads to unstacking and instability in the template. Furthermore, the electronegativity of the C5 substituent appears to be important in the miscoding potential of these cytosine-like templates. While dAMP is incorporated opposite 5-OHC ~5 times more efficiently than opposite unmodified dCMP, an elevated level of incorporation is also observed opposite 5-FC but not 5-MEC. Taken together, these data imply that the nonuniform templating by 5-OHC is due to weakened stacking capabilities, which allows dAMP incorporation to proceed in a manner similar to that observed opposite abasic sites.

Kinetic mechanism of active site assembly and chemical catalysis of DNA polymerase β

It has been inferred from structural and computational studies that the mechanism of DNA polymerases involves subtle but important discrete steps that occur between binding and recognition of the correct dNTP and chemical catalysis. These steps potentially include local conformational changes involving active site residues, reorganization of Mg(2+)-coordinating ligands, and proton transfer. Here we address this broad issue by conducting extensive transient state kinetic analyses of DNA polymerase β (Pol β). We also performed kinetic simulations to evaluate alternative kinetic models. These studies provide some support for two-step subdomain closing and define constraints under which a kinetically significant prechemistry step can occur. To experimentally identify additional microscopic steps, we developed a stopped flow absorbance assay to measure proton formation that occurs during catalysis. These studies provide direct evidence that formation of the enzyme-bound 3'-O(-) nucleophile is rate determining for chemistry. We additionally show that at low pH the chemical step is rate limiting for catalysis, but at high pH, a postchemistry conformational step is rate limiting due to a pH-dependent increase in the rate of nucleotidyl transfer. Finally, we performed exhaustive analyses of [Mg(2+)] and pH effects. In contrast to published studies, the results suggest an irregular pH dependence of k(pol), which is consistent with general base catalysis involving cooperativity between two or more protonic residues. Overall, the results represent significant advancement in the kinetic mechanism of Pol β and also reconcile some computational and experimental findings.

Prechemistry versus preorganization in DNA replication fidelity

The molecular origin of nucleotide insertion catalysis and fidelity of DNA polymerases is explored by means of computational simulations. Special attention is paid to the examination of the validity of proposals that invoke prechemistry effects, checkpoints concepts, and dynamical effects. The simulations reproduce the observed fidelity in Pol β, starting with the relevant observed X-ray structures of the complex with the right (R) and wrong (W) nucleotides. The generation of free energy surfaces for the R and W systems also allowed us to analyze different proposals about the origin of the fidelity and to reach several important conclusions. It is found that the potential of mean force (PMF) obtained by proper sampling does not support QM/MM-based proposals of a large barrier before the prechemistry state. Furthermore, examination of dynamical proposals by the renormalization approach indicates that the motions from open to close configurations do not contribute to catalysis or fidelity. Finally we discuss and analyze the induced fit concept and show that, despite its importance, it does not explain fidelity. That is, the fidelity is apparently due to the change in the preorganization of the chemical site, as a result of the relaxation of the binding site upon binding of the incorrect nucleotide. Finally and importantly, since the issue is the barrier associated with the enzyme-substrate (ES)/DNA complex at the chemical transition state and not the path to this complex formation (unless this path involves rate determining steps), it is also not useful to invoke checkpoints while discussing fidelity.

An abridged transition state model to derive structure, dynamics, and energy components of DNA polymerase β fidelity

We show how a restricted reaction surface can be used to facilitate the calculation of biologically important contributions of active site geometries and dynamics to DNA polymerase fidelity. Our analysis, using human DNA polymerase beta (pol β), is performed within the framework of an electrostatic linear free energy response (EFER) model. The structure, dynamics, and energetics of pol β-DNA-dNTP interactions are computed between two points on the multidimensional reaction free energy surface. "Point 1" represents a ground state activation intermediate (GSA), which is obtained by deprotonating the terminal 3'OH group of the primer DNA strand. "Point 2" is the transition state (PTS) for the attack of the 3'O(-) (O(nuc)) on the P(α) atom of dNTP substrate, having the electron density of a dianionic phosphorane intermediate. Classical molecular dynamics simulations are used to compute the geometric and dynamic contributions to the formation of right and wrong O(nuc)-P chemical bonds. Matched dCTP·G and mismatched dATP·G base pairs are used to illustrate the analysis. Compared to the dCTP·G base pair, the dATP·G mismatch has fewer GSA configurations with short distances between O(nuc) and P(α) atoms and between the oxygen in the scissile P-O bond (O(lg)) and the nearest structural water. The thumb subdomain conformation of the GSA complex is more open for the mismatch, and the H-bonds in the mispair become more extended during the nucleophilic attack than in the correct pair. The electrostatic contributions of pol β and DNA residues to catalysis of the right and wrong P-O(nuc) bond formation are 5.3 and 3.1 kcal/mol, respectively, resulting in an 80-fold contribution to fidelity. The EFER calculations illustrate the considerable importance of Arg183 and an O(lg)-proximal water molecule to pol β fidelity.

Molecular insights into DNA polymerase deterrents for ribonucleotide insertion

DNA polymerases can misinsert ribonucleotides that lead to genomic instability. DNA polymerase β discourages ribonucleotide insertion with the backbone carbonyl of Tyr-271; alanine substitution of Tyr-271, but not Phe-272, resulted in a >10-fold loss in discrimination. The Y271A mutant also inserted ribonucleotides more efficiently than wild type on a variety of ribonucleoside (rNMP)-containing DNA substrates. Substituting Mn(2+) for Mg(2+) decreased sugar discrimination for both wild-type and mutant enzymes primarily by increasing the affinity for rCTP. This facilitated crystallization of ternary substrate complexes of both the wild-type and Y271A mutant enzymes. Crystallographic structures of Y271A- and wild type-substrate complexes indicated that rCTP is well accommodated in the active site but that O2' of rCTP and the carbonyl oxygen of Tyr-271 or Ala-271 are unusually close (∼2.5 and 2.6 Å, respectively). Structure-based modeling indicates that the local energetic cost of positioning these closely spaced oxygens is ∼2.2 kcal/mol for the wild-type enzyme. Because the side chain of Tyr-271 also hydrogen bonds with the primer terminus, loss of this interaction affects its catalytic positioning. Our results support a model where DNA polymerase β utilizes two strategies, steric and geometric, with a single protein residue to deter ribonucleotide insertion.

DNA polymerases provide a canon of strategies for translesion synthesis past oxidatively generated lesions

Deducing the structure of the DNA double helix in 1953 implied the mode of its replication: Watson-Crick (WC) base pairing might instruct an enzyme, now known as the DNA polymerase, during the synthesis of a daughter stand complementary to a single strand of the parental double helix. What has become increasingly clear in the last 60 years, however, is that adducted and oxidatively generated DNA bases are ubiquitous in physiological DNA, and all organisms conserve multiple DNA polymerases specialized for DNA synthesis opposite these damaged templates. Here, we review recent crystal structures depicting replicative and bypass DNA polymerases encountering two typical lesions arising from the oxidation of DNA: abasic sites, which block the replication fork, and the miscoding premutagenic lesion 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG).

The structure of a high fidelity DNA polymerase bound to a mismatched nucleotide reveals an "ajar" intermediate conformation in the nucleotide selection mechanism

To achieve accurate DNA synthesis, DNA polymerases must rapidly sample and discriminate against incorrect nucleotides. Here we report the crystal structure of a high fidelity DNA polymerase I bound to DNA primer-template caught in the act of binding a mismatched (dG:dTTP) nucleoside triphosphate. The polymerase adopts a conformation in between the previously established "open" and "closed" states. In this "ajar" conformation, the template base has moved into the insertion site but misaligns an incorrect nucleotide relative to the primer terminus. The displacement of a conserved active site tyrosine in the insertion site by the template base is accommodated by a distinctive kink in the polymerase O helix, resulting in a partially open ternary complex. We suggest that the ajar conformation allows the template to probe incoming nucleotides for complementarity before closure of the enzyme around the substrate. Based on solution fluorescence, kinetics, and crystallographic analyses of wild-type and mutant polymerases reported here, we present a three-state reaction pathway in which nucleotides either pass through this intermediate conformation to the closed conformation and catalysis or are misaligned within the intermediate, leading to destabilization of the closed conformation.

A model for the dynamics of mammalian family X DNA polymerases

Based on available structural studies, a model is presented for polymerization dynamics of mammalian family X DNA polymerases, including polymerases β, λ, μ, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). Using the model, distinct polymerization activities and processivities of the four polymerases acting on different forms of DNA substrate are analyzed and studied theoretically. A "gradient" of template dependence of polymerases β, λ, μ, and TdT is well explained. The much higher occurrence frequencies of the -1 frameshift DNA synthesis by pols λ and μ than that by pol β are well explained. The theoretical results on the polymerization processivities are also in agreement with the available experimental data.

Replication infidelity via a mismatch with Watson-Crick geometry

In describing the DNA double helix, Watson and Crick suggested that "spontaneous mutation may be due to a base occasionally occurring in one of its less likely tautomeric forms." Indeed, among many mispairing possibilities, either tautomerization or ionization of bases might allow a DNA polymerase to insert a mismatch with correct Watson-Crick geometry. However, despite substantial progress in understanding the structural basis of error prevention during polymerization, no DNA polymerase has yet been shown to form a natural base-base mismatch with Watson-Crick-like geometry. Here we provide such evidence, in the form of a crystal structure of a human DNA polymerase λ variant poised to misinsert dGTP opposite a template T. All atoms needed for catalysis are present at the active site and in positions that overlay with those for a correct base pair. The mismatch has Watson-Crick geometry consistent with a tautomeric or ionized base pair, with the pH dependence of misinsertion consistent with the latter. The results support the original idea that a base substitution can originate from a mismatch having Watson-Crick geometry, and they suggest a common catalytic mechanism for inserting a correct and an incorrect nucleotide. A second structure indicates that after misinsertion, the now primer-terminal G • T mismatch is also poised for catalysis but in the wobble conformation seen in other studies, indicating the dynamic nature of the pathway required to create a mismatch in fully duplex DNA.

Human DNA polymerase beta mutations allowing efficient abasic site bypass

The DNA of every cell in the human body gets damaged more than 50,000 times a day. The most frequent damages are abasic sites. This kind of damage blocks proceeding DNA synthesis by several DNA polymerases that are involved in DNA replication and repair. The mechanistic basis for the incapability of these DNA polymerases to bypass abasic sites is not clarified. To gain insights into the mechanistic basis, we intended to identify amino acid residues that govern for the pausing of DNA polymerase β when incorporating a nucleotide opposite to abasic sites. Human DNA polymerase β was chosen because it is a well characterized DNA polymerase and serves as model enzyme for studies of DNA polymerase mechanisms. Moreover, it acts as the main gap-filling enzyme in base excision repair, and human tumor studies suggest a link between DNA polymerase β and cancer. In this study we employed high throughput screening of a library of more than 11,000 human DNA polymerase β variants. We identified two mutants that have increased ability to incorporate a nucleotide opposite to an abasic site. We found that the substitutions E232K and T233I promote incorporation opposite the lesion. In addition to this feature, the variants have an increased activity and a lower fidelity when processing nondamaged DNA. The mutations described in this work are located in well characterized regions but have not been reported before. A crystallographic structure of one of the mutants was obtained, providing structural insights.

Base excision repair and design of small molecule inhibitors of human DNA polymerase β

Base excision repair (BER) can protect a cell after endogenous or exogenous genotoxic stress, and a deficiency in BER can render a cell hypersensitive to stress-induced apoptotic and necrotic cell death, mutagenesis, and chromosomal rearrangements. However, understanding of the mammalian BER system is not yet complete as it is extraordinarily complex and has many back-up processes that complement a deficiency in any one step. Due of this lack of information, we are unable to make accurate predictions on therapeutic approaches targeting BER. A deeper understanding of BER will eventually allow us to conduct more meaningful clinical interventions. In this review, we will cover historical and recent information on mammalian BER and DNA polymerase β and discuss approaches toward development and use of small molecule inhibitors to manipulate BER. With apologies to others, we will emphasize results obtained in our laboratory and those of our collaborators.

DNA polymerase structure-based insight on the mutagenic properties of 8-oxoguanine

An aerobic environment burdens DNA polymerase substrates with oxidized substrates (DNA and nucleotide pools). A major promutagenic lesion resulting from oxidative stress is 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxoG). Guanine oxidation alters the hydrogen bonding properties of the base and glycosidic-preference of the nucleotide. The favored glycosidic syn-conformation exposes the Hoogsteen edge of the base for hydrogen bonding with adenine during DNA synthesis. The cell has recognized the threat of this lesion and has evolved an intricate surveillance system to provide DNA polymerases with unmodified substrates. Failure to do so leads to transversion mutations. Since the mutagenic properties of the base are dictated by the anti-syn-conformation of the nucleotide, the molecular interactions of 8-oxoG in the confines of the DNA polymerase active site are expected to influence its coding potential. Recent structural characterization of DNA polymerases from several families with this lesion in the nascent base pair binding pocket has provided insight to the mutagenic properties of this modified nucleotide. These structures reveal that flexibility around the template-binding pocket can permit 8-oxoG to assume an anti- or syn-conformation and code for cytosine or adenine incorporation, respectively. In contrast, the binding pocket for the incoming nucleotide does not have this flexibility so that 8-oxodGTP insertion opposite cytosine is strongly discouraged.

Mutagenic conformation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-dGTP in the confines of a DNA polymerase active site

The major product of oxidative base damage is 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanine (8odG). The coding potential of this lesion is modulated by its glycosidic torsion angle that controls whether its Watson-Crick or Hoogsteen edge is utilized for base pairing. The 2.0 Å structure of DNA polymerase (pol) β bound with 8odGTP opposite template adenine indicates that the modified nucleotide assumes the mutagenic syn-conformation and that the non-mutagenic anti-conformation would be incompatible with efficient DNA synthesis.