The human gastric cancer-associated DNA polymerase β variant D160N is a mutator that induces cellular transformation

Aberrant DNA polymerase beta expression is associated with dysregulated tumor immune microenvironment and its prognostic value in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is caused by different exogenous risk factors. Polymerase beta (POLB) is critical to repair oxidative and alkylating-induced DNA damage in genome maintenance. It is unknown whether overexpression of POLB genes in GC modulates tumor immunogenicity and plays a role in its prognostic value.

METHODS

RNA-Seq of GC data retrieved from TCGA and GEO database and patient survival were compared using Kaplan-Meier statistical test. The TIMER algorithm was used to calculate the abundance of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Furthermore, ROC analysis was applied to evaluate the prognostic value of POLB overexpression.

RESULTS

Our data analysis of TCGA and GEO gastric cancer genomics datasets reveals that POLB overexpression is significantly associated with intestinal subtypes of stomach cancer. In addition, POLB overexpression is associated with low expression of innate immune signaling genes. In contrast, POLB-overexpressed tumor harbors high mutation frequency and MSI score. Furthermore, POLB-overexpressed tumor with high immune score exhibits a better prognosis. Interestingly, our ROC analysis results suggested that POLB overexpression has a potential for prognostic markers for stomach cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis suggests that aberrant POLB overexpression in stomach cancer impacts the diverse aspects of tumor immune microenvironment. In addition, POLB might be a potential prognosis marker and/or an attractive target for immune-based therapy in GC. However, our observation still requires further experimental-based scientific validation studies.

DNA Polymerase β in the Context of Cancer

DNA polymerase beta (Pol β) is a 39 kD vertebrate polymerase that lacks proofreading ability, yet still maintains a moderate fidelity of DNA synthesis. Pol β is a key enzyme that functions in the base excision repair and non-homologous end joining pathways of DNA repair. Mechanisms of fidelity for Pol β are still being elucidated but are likely to involve dynamic conformational motions of the enzyme upon its binding to DNA and deoxynucleoside triphosphates. Recent studies have linked germline and somatic variants of Pol β with cancer and autoimmunity. These variants induce genomic instability by a number of mechanisms, including error-prone DNA synthesis and accumulation of single nucleotide gaps that lead to replication stress. Here, we review the structure and function of Pol β, and we provide insights into how structural changes in Pol β variants may contribute to genomic instability, mutagenesis, disease, cancer development, and impacts on treatment outcomes.

The Role of Natural Polymorphic Variants of DNA Polymerase β in DNA Repair

DNA polymerase β (Polβ) is considered the main repair DNA polymerase involved in the base excision repair (BER) pathway, which plays an important part in the repair of damaged DNA bases usually resulting from alkylation or oxidation. In general, BER involves consecutive actions of DNA glycosylases, AP endonucleases, DNA polymerases, and DNA ligases. It is known that protein-protein interactions of Polβ with enzymes from the BER pathway increase the efficiency of damaged base repair in DNA. However natural single-nucleotide polymorphisms can lead to a substitution of functionally significant amino acid residues and therefore affect the catalytic activity of the enzyme and the accuracy of Polβ action. Up-to-date databases contain information about more than 8000 SNPs in the gene of Polβ. This review summarizes data on the in silico prediction of the effects of Polβ SNPs on DNA repair efficacy; available data on cancers associated with SNPs of Polβ; and experimentally tested variants of Polβ. Analysis of the literature indicates that amino acid substitutions could be important for the maintenance of the native structure of Polβ and contacts with DNA; others affect the catalytic activity of the enzyme or play a part in the precise and correct attachment of the required nucleotide triphosphate. Moreover, the amino acid substitutions in Polβ can disturb interactions with enzymes involved in BER, while the enzymatic activity of the polymorphic variant may not differ significantly from that of the wild-type enzyme. Therefore, investigation regarding the effect of Polβ natural variants occurring in the human population on enzymatic activity and protein-protein interactions is an urgent scientific task.

A novel polymerase β inhibitor from phage displayed peptide library augments the anti-tumour effects of temozolomide on colorectal cancer

The therapeutic efficacy of TMZ, a common used drug for chemotherapy, is limited by the resistance from colorectal cancer cells. Base excision repair (BER) pathway has been identified as one of the reasons for drug resistance. By blocking Polβ-dependent BER (Base Excision Repair) pathway, the efficacy of TMZ treatment can be improved greatly. Several Polβ inhibitors that have been identified could not become approved drugs due to lack of potency or specificity. To find therapeutic candidates with exquisite specificity and high affinity to Polβ, phage display technology was used in the current research. We screened out a candidate Polβ inhibitor, 10 D, that can inhibit the activity of Polβand SP-BER (Short-Patch Base excision Repair) pathway. Co-treatment with 10 D enhanced the sensitivity of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to TMZ both in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggested that the novel Polβ inhibitor we identified can improve TMZ efficacy and optimize CRC chemotherapy.

Single molecule glycosylase studies with engineered 8-oxoguanine DNA damage sites show functional defects of a MUTYH polyposis variant

Proper repair of oxidatively damaged DNA bases is essential to maintain genome stability. 8-Oxoguanine (7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine, 8-oxoG) is a dangerous DNA lesion because it can mispair with adenine (A) during replication resulting in guanine to thymine transversion mutations. MUTYH DNA glycosylase is responsible for recognizing and removing the adenine from 8-oxoG:adenine (8-oxoG:A) sites. Biallelic mutations in the MUTYH gene predispose individuals to MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP), and the most commonly observed mutation in some MAP populations is Y165C. Tyr165 is a ‘wedge’ residue that intercalates into the DNA duplex in the lesion bound state. Here, we utilize single molecule fluorescence microscopy to visualize the real-time search behavior of Escherichia coli and Mus musculus MUTYH WT and wedge variant orthologs on DNA tightropes that contain 8-oxoG:A, 8-oxoG:cytosine, or apurinic product analog sites. We observe that MUTYH WT is able to efficiently find 8-oxoG:A damage and form highly stable bound complexes. In contrast, MUTYH Y150C shows decreased binding lifetimes on undamaged DNA and fails to form a stable lesion recognition complex at damage sites. These findings suggest that MUTYH does not rely upon the wedge residue for damage site recognition, but this residue stabilizes the lesion recognition complex.

Enhanced Activity of Variant DNA Polymerase β (D160G) Contributes to Cisplatin Therapy by Impeding the Efficiency of NER

Cisplatin, commonly used in a variety of cancer treatments, induces apoptosis in cancer cells by causing lethal DNA damage. Several DNA repair pathways participate in regulation of cisplatin treatment, leading to cisplatin sensitivity or resistance in cancer cells. DNA polymerase β (pol β), a key protein involved in base excision repair, confers a response to cisplatin therapy that is dependent on polymerase activity. Pol β D160G mutation with enhanced polymerase activity, previously identified in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, enhances the sensitivity of human cancer cells and mouse xenografts to cisplatin by limiting the efficiency of nucleotide excision repair (NER). Notably, the D160G mutation impedes the recruitment of XPA to cisplatin-induced sites of DNA damage, leading to unrepaired damage and further inducing cell death. Molecular architecture analysis indicated that the D160G mutation alters protein-DNA interactions and the surface electrostatic properties of the DNA-binding regions, resulting in greater DNA affinity and polymerase activity compared with wild-type pol β. Collectively, these results indicate that enhancing pol β activity impedes the efficiency of NER and provide a promising adjuvant therapeutic strategy for cisplatin chemotherapy. IMPLICATIONS: Our studies demonstrate that polβ D160G mutation with enhanced polymerase activity impedes NER efficiency during the repair of cisplatin-induced DNA damage, leading to increased cisplatin sensitivity in cancer cells.

DNA Polymerase β Cancer-Associated Variant I260M Exhibits Nonspecific Selectivity toward the β-γ Bridging Group of the Incoming dNTP

The hydrophobic hinge region of DNA polymerase β (pol β) is located between the fingers and palm subdomains. The hydrophobicity of the hinge region is important for maintaining the geometry of the binding pocket and for the selectivity of the enzyme. Various cancer-associated pol β variants in the hinge region have reduced fidelity resulting from a decreased discrimination at the level of dNTP binding. Specifically, I260M, a prostate cancer-associated variant of pol β, has been shown to have a reduced discrimination during dNTP binding and also during nucleotidyl transfer. To test whether fidelity of the I260M variant is dependent on leaving group chemistry, we employed a toolkit comprising dNTP bisphosphonate analogues modified at the β-γ bridging methylene to modulate leaving group (pCXYp mimicking PP_i) basicity. Construction of linear free energy relationship plots for the dependence of log(k_pol) on leaving group pK_a4 revealed that I260M catalyzes dNMP incorporation with a marked negative dependence on leaving group basicity, consistent with a chemical transition state, during both correct and incorrect incorporation. Additionally, we provide evidence that I260M fidelity is altered in the presence of some of the analogues, possibly resulting from a lack of coordination between the fingers and palm subdomains in the presence of the I260M mutation.

Base Excision Repair Variants in Cancer

Base excision repair (BER) is a key genome maintenance pathway that removes endogenously damaged DNA bases that arise in cells at very high levels on a daily basis. Failure to remove these damaged DNA bases leads to increased levels of mutagenesis and chromosomal instability, which have the potential to drive carcinogenesis. Next-generation sequencing of the germline and tumor genomes of thousands of individuals has uncovered many rare mutations in BER genes. Given that BER is critical for genome maintenance, it is important to determine whether BER genomic variants have functional phenotypes. In this chapter, we present our in silico methods for the identification and prioritization of BER variants for further study. We also provide detailed instructions and commentary on the initial cellular assays we employ to dissect potentially important phenotypes of human BER variants and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of our approaches. BER variants possessing interesting functional phenotypes can then be studied in more detail to provide important mechanistic insights regarding the role of aberrant BER in carcinogenesis.

A Change in the Rate-Determining Step of Polymerization by the K289M DNA Polymerase β Cancer-Associated Variant

K289M is a variant of DNA polymerase β (pol β) that has previously been identified in colorectal cancer. The expression of this variant leads to a 16-fold increase in mutation frequency at a specific site in vivo and a reduction in fidelity in vitro in a sequence context-specific manner. Previous work shows that this reduction in fidelity results from a decreased level of discrimination against incorrect nucleotide incorporation at the level of polymerization. To probe the transition state of the K289M mutator variant of pol β, single-turnover kinetic experiments were performed using β,γ-CXY dGTP analogues with a wide range of leaving group monoacid dissociation constants (pK_a4), including a corresponding set of novel β,γ-CXY dCTP analogues. Surprisingly, we found that the values of the log of the catalytic rate constant (k_pol) for correct insertion by K289M, in contrast to those of wild-type pol β, do not decrease with increased leaving group pK_a4 for analogues with pK_a4 values of <11. This suggests that one of the relative rate constants differs for the K289M reaction in comparison to that of the wild type (WT). However, a plot of log(k_pol) values for incorrect insertion by K289M versus pK_a4 reveals a linear correlation with a negative slope, in this respect resembling k_pol values for misincorporation by the WT enzyme. We also show that some of these analogues improve the fidelity of K289M. Taken together, our data show that Lys289 critically influences the catalytic pathway of pol β.

Approaches for Identifying Novel Targets in Precision Medicine: Lessons from DNA Repair

Genome stability is maintained by a number of elegant mechanisms, which sense and repair damaged DNA. Germline defects that compromise genomic integrity result in cancer predisposition, exemplified by rare syndromes caused by mutations in certain DNA repair genes. These individuals often exhibit other symptoms including progeria and neurodegeneration. Paradoxically, some of these deleterious genetic alterations provide novel therapeutic opportunities to target cancer cells; an excellent example of such an approach being the recent development of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors as the first 'synthetic lethal' medicine for patients with BRCA-mutant cancers. The therapeutic exploitation of synthetic lethal interactions has enabled a novel approach to personalised medicine based on continued molecular profiling of patient and tumour material. This profiling may also aid clinicians in the identification of specific drug resistance mechanisms following relapse, and enable appropriate modification of the therapeutic regimen. This chapter focuses on therapeutic strategies designed to target aspects of the DNA damage response, and examines emerging themes demonstrating mechanistic overlap between DNA repair and neurodegeneration.

A Point Mutation in DNA Polymerase β (POLB) Gene Is Associated with Increased Progesterone Receptor (PR) Expression and Intraperitoneal Metastasis in Gastric Cancer

Increased expression of progesterone receptor (PR) has been reported in gastric cancer (GC). We have previously identified a functional T889C point mutation in DNA polymerase beta (POLB), a DNA repair gene in GC. To provide a detailed analysis of molecular changes associated with the mutation, human cDNA microarrays focusing on 18 signal transduction pathways were used to analyze differential gene expression profiles between GC tissues with T889C mutant in POLB gene and those with wild type. Among the differentially expressed genes, notably, PR was one of the significantly up-regulated genes in T889C mutant POLB tissues, which were subsequently confirmed in POLB gene transfected AGS cell line. Interestingly, patients with T889C mutation and PR positivity were associated with higher incidence of intraperitoneal metastasis (IM). In vitro studies indicate that PR expression was upregulated in AGS cell line when transfected with T889C mutant expression vector. Cotransfection of T889C mutant allele and PR gene induced cell migration in the cell line. These data demonstrated that T889C mutation-associated PR overexpression results in increased IM. Therefore, T889C mutation-associated PR overexpression may serve as a biomarker for an adverse prognosis for human GC.

The K167I variant of DNA polymerase β that is found in Esophageal Carcinoma patients impairs polymerase activity and BER

DNA polymerase β (pol β) is a key enzyme in DNA base excision repair, and an important factor for maintaining genomic integrity and stability. Esophageal carcinoma (EC) patients who have been identified as carrying the K167I variant of pol β have been shown to have decreased life expectancy. However, it is unknown if the variant affects pol β’s functions and/or how it contributes to the initiation and progression of cancer. In this study, we expressed and purified the K167I variant. Moreover, we found that K167I significantly reduced polymerase activity. As a result, the K167I substitution reduced base excision repair (BER) efficiency when assayed in a reconstitution assay or when using cellular extracts. Finally, we observed EC cells expressing the K167I variant to be sensitive to DNA damaging agents. These results suggest the K167I variant affected pol β biochemical activity resulting in impaired BER function, which might subsequently contribute to genomic instability and cancer development.

Base excision repair: a critical player in many games

This perspective reviews the many dimensions of base excision repair from a 10,000 foot vantage point and provides one person's view on where the field is headed. Enzyme function is considered under the lens of X-ray diffraction and single molecule studies. Base excision repair in chromatin and telomeres, regulation of expression and the role of posttranslational modifications are also discussed in the context of enzyme activities, cellular localization and interacting partners. The specialized roles that base excision repair play in transcriptional activation by active demethylation and targeted oxidation as well as how base excision repair functions in the immune processes of somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination and its possible involvement in retroviral infection are also discussed. Finally the complexities of oxidative damage and its repair and its link to neurodegenerative disorders, as well as the role of base excision repair as a tumor suppressor are examined in the context of damage, repair and aging. By outlining the many base excision repair-related mysteries that have yet to be unraveled, hopefully this perspective will stimulate further interest in the field.

The S229L colon tumor-associated variant of DNA polymerase β induces cellular transformation as a result of decreased polymerization efficiency

DNA polymerase β (Pol β) plays a key role in base excision repair (BER) by filling in small gaps that are generated after base adducts are excised from the DNA. Pol β is mutated in a large number of colorectal tumors, and these mutations may drive carcinogenesis. In the present study, we wished to determine whether the S229L somatic Pol β variant identified in a stage 3 colorectal tumor is a driver of carcinogenesis. We show that S229L does not possess any defects in binding to either DNA or nucleotides compared with the WT enzyme, but exhibits a significant loss of polymerization efficiency, largely due to an 8-fold decrease in the polymerization rate. S229L participates in BER, but due to its lower catalytic rate, does so more slowly than WT. Expression of S229L in mammalian cells induces the accumulation of BER intermediate substrates, chromosomal aberrations, and cellular transformation. Our results are consistent with the interpretation that S229L is a driver of carcinogenesis, likely as a consequence of its slow polymerization activity during BER in vivo.

Irreversible inhibition of DNA polymerase β by small-molecule mimics of a DNA lesion

Abasic sites are ubiquitous DNA lesions that are mutagenic and cytotoxic but are removed by the base excision repair pathway. DNA polymerase β carries out two of the four steps during base excision repair, including a lyase reaction that removes the abasic site from DNA following incision of its 5'-phosphate. DNA polymerase β is overexpressed in cancer cells and is a potential anticancer target. Recently, DNA oxidized abasic sites that are produced by potent antitumor agents were shown to inactivate DNA polymerase β. A library of small molecules whose structures were inspired by the oxidized abasic sites was synthesized and screened for the ability to irreversibly inhibit DNA polymerase β. One candidate (3a) was examined more thoroughly, and modification of its phosphate backbone led to a molecule that irreversibly inactivates DNA polymerase β in solution (IC50 ≈ 21 μM), and inhibits the enzyme's lyase activity in cell lysates. A bisacetate analogue is converted in cell lysates to 3a. The bisacetate is more effective in cell lysates, more cytotoxic in prostate cancer cells than 3a and potentiates the cytotoxicity of methyl methanesulfonate between 2- and 5-fold. This is the first example of an irreversible inhibitor of the lyase activity of DNA polymerase β that works synergistically with a DNA damaging agent.

Cellular roles of DNA polymerase beta

Since its discovery and purification in 1971, DNA polymerase ß (Pol ß) is one of the most well-studied DNA polymerases. Pol ß is a key enzyme in the base excision repair (BER) pathway that functions in gap filling DNA synthesis subsequent to the excision of damaged DNA bases. A major focus of our studies is on the cellular roles of Pol ß. We have shown that germline and tumor-associated variants of Pol ß catalyze aberrant BER that leads to genomic instability and cellular transformation. Our studies suggest that Pol ß is critical for the maintenance of genomic stability and that it is a tumor suppressor. We have also shown that Pol ß functions during Prophase I of meiosis. Pol ß localizes to the synaptonemal complex and is critical for removal of the Spo11 complex from the 5' ends of double-strand breaks. Studies with Pol ß mutant mice are currently being undertaken to more clearly understand the function of Pol ß during meiosis. In this review, we will highlight our contributions from our studies of Pol ß germline and cancer-associated variants.

DNA polymerase β promoter mutations and transcriptional activity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The present study analyzed the correlation of DNA polymerase β (DNA polβ) promoter mutations and activity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The DNA polβ promoter was amplified from 108 ESCC samples and adjacent paracancerous samples by PCR and cloned into the pGL3-enhancer luciferase vector. The recombined vectors were transfected into esophageal carcinoma cells (EC9706, Eca109, and KYSE30), and luciferase activity was detected using dual luciferase reporter gene technology. Eleven polβ promoter mutations were identified and submitted to GenBank. The mutation rate of the DNA polβ promoter was higher in ESCC tissues (36/108, 33.3 %) than in the paired paracancerous tissues (21/108, 19.4 %) (P = 0.021). The C → A mutation at locus -37 was the hotspot mutation in cancerous tissues, and its frequency was higher in ESCC tissues (26/108) than in paracancerous tissues (7/108) (P = 0.00). The highest relative luciferase activity (RLA) was observed in the DNA polβ promoter, with a C → A mutation at -37. Significant differences in RLA were observed between mutant DNA polβ promoters (except for C detected at -19, T → C at -194, C → A at -37, and T → C at 30) and the wild-type DNA polβ promoter (P = 0.000), and RLA was significantly higher in ESCC tissues than in paracancerous tissues (P = 0.003). Our findings suggest that the upregulation of transcriptional activity induced by mutations in the DNA polβ promoter in ESCC tissues may be one of the molecular mechanisms mediating abnormal overexpression of DNA polβ in ESCC.

Tumor-specific microsatellite instability: do distinct mechanisms underlie the MSI-L and EMAST phenotypes?

Microsatellite DNA sequences display allele length alterations or microsatellite instability (MSI) in tumor tissues, and MSI is used diagnostically for tumor detection and classification. We discuss the known types of tumor-specific MSI patterns and the relevant mechanisms underlying each pattern. Mutation rates of individual microsatellites vary greatly, and the intrinsic DNA features of motif size, sequence, and length contribute to this variation. MSI is used for detecting mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient tumors, which display an MSI-high phenotype due to genome-wide microsatellite destabilization. Because several pathways maintain microsatellite stability, tumors that have undergone other events associated with moderate genome instability may display diagnostic MSI only at specific di- or tetranucleotide markers. We summarize evidence for such alternative MSI forms (A-MSI) in sporadic cancers, also referred to as MSI-low and EMAST. While the existence of A-MSI is not disputed, there is disagreement about the origin and pathologic significance of this phenomenon. Although ambiguities due to PCR methods may be a source, evidence exists for other mechanisms to explain tumor-specific A-MSI. Some portion of A-MSI tumors may result from random mutational events arising during neoplastic cell evolution. However, this mechanism fails to explain the specificity of A-MSI for di- and tetranucleotide instability. We present evidence supporting the alternative argument that some A-MSI tumors arise by a distinct genetic pathway, and give examples of DNA metabolic pathways that, when altered, may be responsible for instability at specific microsatellite motifs. Finally, we suggest that A-MSI in tumors could be molecular signatures of environmental influences and DNA damage. Importantly, A-MSI occurs in several pre-neoplastic inflammatory states, including inflammatory bowel diseases, consistent with a role of oxidative stress in A-MSI. Understanding the biochemical basis of A-MSI tumor phenotypes will advance the development of new diagnostic tools and positively impact the clinical management of individual cancers.

MBD4 and TDG: multifaceted DNA glycosylases with ever expanding biological roles

The base excision repair system is vital to the repair of endogenous and exogenous DNA damage. This pathway is initiated by one of several DNA glycosylases that recognizes and excises specific DNA lesions in a coordinated fashion. Methyl-CpG Domain Protein 4 (MBD4) and Thymine DNA Glycosylase (TDG) are the two major G:T glycosylases that remove thymine generated by the deamination of 5-methylcytosine. Both of these glycosylases also remove a variety of other base lesions, including G:U and preferentially act at CpG sites throughout the genome. Many have questioned the purpose of seemingly redundant glycosylases, but new information has emerged to suggest MBD4 and TDG have diverse biological functions. MBD4 has been closely linked to apoptosis, while TDG has been clearly implicated in transcriptional regulation. This article reviews all of these developments, and discusses the consequences of germline and somatic mutations that lead to non-synonymous amino acid substitutions on MBD4 and TDG protein function. In addition, we report the finding of alternatively spliced variants of MBD4 and TDG and the results of functional studies of a tumor-associated variant of MBD4.

Transcriptional profiling reveals elevated Sox2 in DNA polymerase ß null mouse embryonic fibroblasts

There are over 150 human proteins that have been categorized as bona fide DNA repair proteins. These DNA repair proteins maintain the integrity of the genome, reducing the onset of cancer, disease and aging phenotypes. Variations in expression and/or function would therefore impact genome integrity as well as the cellular response to genotoxins. Global gene expression analysis is an effective approach to uncover defects in DNA repair gene expression and to discover cellular and/or organismal effects brought about by external stimuli such as environmental genotoxicants, chemotherapeutic regimens, viral infections as well as developmental and age-related stimuli. Given the significance of genome stability in cell survival and response to stimuli, we have hypothesized that cells may undergo transcriptional re-programming to accommodate defects in basal DNA repair capacity to promote survival. As a test of this hypothesis, we have compared the transcriptome in three DNA polymerase ß knockout (Polß-KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and the corresponding wild-type (WT) littermate control cell lines. Each Polß-KO cell line was found to have a range of genes up-regulated, when compared to its WT littermate control cell line. Interestingly, six (6) genes were commonly up regulated in all three Polß-KO cell lines, including Sox2, one of several genes associated with the induction of pluripotent stem cells. Herein, we present these findings and suggest that loss of DNA repair and the induction of cellular transcriptional re-programming may, in part, contribute to tumor formation and the cellular response to external stimuli.

The E288K colon tumor variant of DNA polymerase β is a sequence specific mutator

DNA polymerase β (pol β) is the main polymerase involved in base excision repair (BER), which is a pathway responsible for the repair of tens of thousands of DNA lesions per cell per day. Our recent efforts in sequencing colon tumors showed that 40% of the tumors sequenced possessed a variant in the coding region of the POLB gene; one of these variants is E288K. Expression of the E288K variant in cells leads to an increase in the frequency of mutations at AT base pairs. In vitro, the E288K variant is as active as and binds one-base-gapped DNA with the same affinity as wild-type pol β. Single-turnover kinetic data for the E288K variant show that its mutator phenotype is specific for misincorporating opposite template A up to 6-fold more than the wild-type enzyme and that this is due to a decrease in the degree of discrimination in nucleotide binding. Molecular modeling suggests that the substitution of Lys at position 288 causes the polymerase to adopt a more open conformation, which may be disrupting the nucleotide binding pocket. This may explain the reduced degree of discrimination at the level of nucleotide binding. The enhanced mutagenesis of the E288K variant could lead to genomic instability and ultimately a malignant tumor phenotype.

Colon cancer-associated DNA polymerase β variant induces genomic instability and cellular transformation

Rapidly advancing technology has resulted in the generation of the genomic sequences of several human tumors. We have identified several mutations of the DNA polymerase β (pol β) gene in human colorectal cancer. We have demonstrated that the expression of the pol β G231D variant increased chromosomal aberrations and induced cellular transformation. The transformed phenotype persisted in the cells even once the expression of G231D was extinguished, suggesting that it resulted as a consequence of genomic instability. Biochemical analysis revealed that its catalytic rate was 140-fold slower than WT pol β, and this was a result of the decreased binding affinity of nucleotides by G231D. Residue 231 of pol β lies in close proximity to the template strand of the DNA. Molecular modeling demonstrated that the change from a small and nonpolar glycine to a negatively charged aspartate resulted in a repulsion between the template and residue 231 leading to the distortion of the dNTP binding pocket. In addition, expression of G231D was insufficient to rescue pol β-deficient cells treated with chemotherapeutic agents suggesting that these agents may be effectively used to treat tumors harboring this mutation. More importantly, this suggests that the G231D variant has impaired base excision repair. Together, these data indicate that the G231D variant plays a role in driving cancer.