The roles of REV3 and RAD57 in double-strand-break-repair-induced mutagenesis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Rad51 determines pathway usage in post-replication repair

Stalled replication forks can be processed by several distinct mechanisms collectively called post-replication repair which includes homologous recombination, fork regression, and translesion DNA synthesis. However, the regulation of the usage between these pathways is not fully understood. The Rad51 protein plays a pivotal role in maintaining genomic stability through its roles in HR and in protecting stalled replication forks from degradation. We report the isolation of separation-of-function mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad51 that retain their recombination function but display a defect in fork protection leading to a shift in post-replication repair pathway usage from HR to alternate pathways including mutagenic translesion synthesis. Rad51-E135D and Rad51-K305N show normal in vivo and in vitro recombination despite changes in their DNA binding profiles, in particular to dsDNA, with a resulting effect on their ATPase activities. The mutants lead to a defect in Rad51 recruitment to stalled forks in vivo as well as a defect in the protection of dsDNA from degradation by Dna2-Sgs1 and Exo1 in vitro . A high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of the Rad51-ssDNA filament at 2.4 Å resolution provides a structural basis for a mechanistic understanding of the mutant phenotypes. Together, the evidence suggests a model in which Rad51 binding to duplex DNA is critical to control pathway usage at stalled replication forks.

Meiotic DNA breaks drive multifaceted mutagenesis in the human germ line

Meiotic recombination commences with hundreds of programmed DNA breaks; however, the degree to which they are accurately repaired remains poorly understood. We report that meiotic break repair is eightfold more mutagenic for single-base substitutions than was previously understood, leading to de novo mutation in one in four sperm and one in 12 eggs. Its impact on indels and structural variants is even higher, with 100- to 1300-fold increases in rates per break. We uncovered new mutational signatures and footprints relative to break sites, which implicate unexpected biochemical processes and error-prone DNA repair mechanisms, including translesion synthesis and end joining in meiotic break repair. We provide evidence that these mechanisms drive mutagenesis in human germ lines and lead to disruption of hundreds of genes genome wide.

Rad51 filaments assembled in the absence of the complex formed by the Rad51 paralogs Rad55 and Rad57 are outcompeted by translesion DNA polymerases on UV-induced ssDNA gaps

The bypass of DNA lesions that block replicative polymerases during DNA replication relies on DNA damage tolerance pathways. The error-prone translesion synthesis (TLS) pathway depends on specialized DNA polymerases that incorporate nucleotides in front of base lesions, potentially inducing mutagenesis. Two error-free pathways can bypass the lesions: the template switching pathway, which uses the sister chromatid as a template, and the homologous recombination pathway (HR), which also can use the homologous chromosome as template. The balance between error-prone and error-free pathways controls the mutagenesis level. Therefore, it is crucial to precisely characterize factors that influence the pathway choice to better understand genetic stability at replication forks. In yeast, the complex formed by the Rad51 paralogs Rad55 and Rad57 promotes HR and template-switching at stalled replication forks. At DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), this complex promotes Rad51 filament formation and stability, notably by counteracting the Srs2 anti-recombinase. To explore the role of the Rad55-Rad57 complex in error-free pathways, we monitored the genetic interactions between Rad55-Rad57, the translesion polymerases Polζ or Polη, and Srs2 following UV radiation that induces mostly single-strand DNA gaps. We found that the Rad55-Rad57 complex was involved in three ways. First, it protects Rad51 filaments from Srs2, as it does at DSBs. Second, it promotes Rad51 filament stability independently of Srs2. Finally, we observed that UV-induced HR is almost abolished in Rad55-Rad57 deficient cells, and is partially restored upon Polζ or Polη depletion. Hence, we propose that the Rad55-Rad57 complex is essential to promote Rad51 filament stability on single-strand DNA gaps, notably to counteract the error-prone TLS polymerases and mutagenesis.

Mechanism for inverted-repeat recombination induced by a replication fork barrier

Replication stress and abundant repetitive sequences have emerged as primary conditions underlying genomic instability in eukaryotes. To gain insight into the mechanism of recombination between repeated sequences in the context of replication stress, we used a prokaryotic Tus/Ter barrier designed to induce transient replication fork stalling near inverted repeats in the budding yeast genome. Our study reveals that the replication fork block stimulates a unique recombination pathway dependent on Rad51 strand invasion and Rad52-Rad59 strand annealing activities, Mph1/Rad5 fork remodelers, Mre11/Exo1/Dna2 resection machineries, Rad1-Rad10 nuclease and DNA polymerase δ. Furthermore, we show recombination at stalled replication forks is limited by the Srs2 helicase and Mus81-Mms4/Yen1 nucleases. Physical analysis of the replication-associated recombinants revealed that half are associated with an inversion of sequence between the repeats. Based on our extensive genetic characterization, we propose a model for recombination of closely linked repeats that can robustly generate chromosome rearrangements.

Replication stress and abundant repetitive sequences have emerged as primary conditions underlying genomic instability in eukaryotes. Here the authors use a prokaryotic Tus/Ter barrier designed to induce transient replication fork stalling near inverted repeats in the budding yeast genome to support a model for recombination of closely linked repeats at stalled replication forks.

REV1 Inhibition Enhances Radioresistance and Autophagy

Simple Summary

Cancer resistance to therapy continues to be the biggest challenge in treating patients. Targeting the mutagenic translesion synthesis (TLS) polymerase REV1 was previously shown to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy. In this study, we tested the ability of REV1 inhibitors to radiation therapy and observed a lack of radiosensitization. In addition, we observed REV1 inhibition to trigger an autophagy stress response. Because reduction of REV1 triggered autophagy and failed to radiosensitize cells, we hypothesize REV1 expression dynamics might link cancer cell response to radiation treatment through the potential induction of autophagy.

Abstract

Cancer therapy resistance is a persistent clinical challenge. Recently, inhibition of the mutagenic translesion synthesis (TLS) protein REV1 was shown to enhance tumor cell response to chemotherapy by triggering senescence hallmarks. These observations suggest REV1’s important role in determining cancer cell response to chemotherapy. Whether REV1 inhibition would similarly sensitize cancer cells to radiation treatment is unknown. This study reports a lack of radiosensitization in response to REV1 inhibition by small molecule inhibitors in ionizing radiation-exposed cancer cells. Instead, REV1 inhibition unexpectedly triggers autophagy, which is a known biomarker of radioresistance. We report a possible role of the REV1 TLS protein in determining cancer treatment outcomes depending upon the type of DNA damage inflicted. Furthermore, we discover that REV1 inhibition directly triggers autophagy, an uncharacterized REV1 phenotype, with a significant bearing on cancer treatment regimens.

The Role of the Rad55-Rad57 Complex in DNA Repair

Homologous recombination (HR) is a mechanism conserved from bacteria to humans essential for the accurate repair of DNA double-stranded breaks, and maintenance of genome integrity. In eukaryotes, the key DNA transactions in HR are catalyzed by the Rad51 recombinase, assisted by a host of regulatory factors including mediators such as Rad52 and Rad51 paralogs. Rad51 paralogs play a crucial role in regulating proper levels of HR, and mutations in the human counterparts have been associated with diseases such as cancer and Fanconi Anemia. In this review, we focus on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad51 paralog complex Rad55–Rad57, which has served as a model for understanding the conserved role of Rad51 paralogs in higher eukaryotes. Here, we discuss the results from early genetic studies, biochemical assays, and new single-molecule observations that have together contributed to our current understanding of the molecular role of Rad55–Rad57 in HR.

REV7: Jack of many trades

The HORMA domain protein REV7, also known as MAD2L2, interacts with a variety of proteins and thereby contributes to the establishment of different complexes. With doing so, REV7 impacts a diverse range of cellular processes and gained increasing interest as more of its activities became uncovered. REV7 has important roles in translesion synthesis and mitotic progression, and acts as a central component in the recently discovered shieldin complex that operates in DNA double-strand break repair. Here we discuss the roles of REV7 in its various complexes, focusing on its activity in genome integrity maintenance. Moreover, we will describe current insights on REV7 structural features that allow it to be such a versatile protein.

A Rad51-independent pathway promotes single-strand template repair in gene editing

The Rad51/RecA family of recombinases perform a critical function in typical repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs): strand invasion of a resected DSB end into a homologous double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) template sequence to initiate repair. However, repair of a DSB using single stranded DNA (ssDNA) as a template, a common method of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, is Rad51-independent. We have analyzed the genetic requirements for these Rad51-independent events in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by creating a DSB with the site-specific HO endonuclease and repairing the DSB with 80-nt single-stranded oligonucleotides (ssODNs), and confirmed these results by Cas9-mediated DSBs in combination with a bacterial retron system that produces ssDNA templates in vivo. We show that single strand template repair (SSTR), is dependent on Rad52, Rad59, Srs2 and the Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 (MRX) complex, but unlike other Rad51-independent recombination events, independent of Rdh54. We show that Rad59 acts to alleviate the inhibition of Rad51 on Rad52's strand annealing activity both in SSTR and in single strand annealing (SSA). Gene editing is Rad51-dependent when double-stranded oligonucleotides of the same size and sequence are introduced as templates. The assimilation of mismatches during gene editing is dependent on the activity of Msh2, which acts very differently on the 3' side of the ssODN which can anneal directly to the resected DSB end compared to the 5' end. In addition DNA polymerase Polδ's 3' to 5' proofreading activity frequently excises a mismatch very close to the 3' end of the template. We further report that SSTR is accompanied by as much as a 600-fold increase in mutations in regions adjacent to the sequences directly undergoing repair. These DNA polymerase ζ-dependent mutations may compromise the accuracy of gene editing.

Genetic Characterization of Three Distinct Mechanisms Supporting RNA-Driven DNA Repair and Modification Reveals Major Role of DNA Polymerase ζ

DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) are dangerous lesions threatening genomic stability. Fidelity of DSB repair is best achieved by recombination with a homologous template sequence. In yeast, transcript RNA was shown to template DSB repair of DNA. However, molecular pathways of RNA-driven repair processes remain obscure. Utilizing assays of RNA-DNA recombination with and without an induced DSB in yeast DNA, we characterize three forms of RNA-mediated genomic modifications: RNA- and cDNA-templated DSB repair (R-TDR and c-TDR) using an RNA transcript or a DNA copy of the RNA transcript for DSB repair, respectively, and a new mechanism of RNA-templated DNA modification (R-TDM) induced by spontaneous or mutagen-induced breaks. While c-TDR requires reverse transcriptase, translesion DNA polymerase ζ (Pol ζ) plays a major role in R-TDR, and it is essential for R-TDM. This study characterizes mechanisms of RNA-DNA recombination, uncovering a role of Pol ζ in transferring genetic information from transcript RNA to DNA.

DNA polymerase ζ in DNA replication and repair

Here, we survey the diverse functions of DNA polymerase ζ (pol ζ) in eukaryotes. In mammalian cells, REV3L (3130 residues) is the largest catalytic subunit of the DNA polymerases. The orthologous subunit in yeast is Rev3p. Pol ζ also includes REV7 subunits (encoded by Rev7 in yeast and MAD2L2 in mammalian cells) and two subunits shared with the replicative DNA polymerase, pol δ. Pol ζ is used in response to circumstances that stall DNA replication forks in both yeast and mammalian cells. The best-examined situation is translesion synthesis at sites of covalent DNA lesions such as UV radiation-induced photoproducts. We also highlight recent evidence that uncovers various roles of pol ζ that extend beyond translesion synthesis. For instance, pol ζ is also employed when the replisome operates sub-optimally or at difficult-to-replicate DNA sequences. Pol ζ also participates in repair by microhomology mediated break-induced replication. A rev3 deletion is tolerated in yeast but Rev3l disruption results in embryonic lethality in mice. Inactivation of mammalian Rev3l results in genomic instability and invokes cell death and senescence programs. Targeting of pol ζ function may be a useful strategy in cancer therapy, although chromosomal instability associated with pol ζ deficiency must be considered.

Translesion Synthesis in Plants: Ultraviolet Resistance and Beyond

Plant genomes sustain various forms of DNA damage that stall replication forks. Translesion synthesis (TLS) is one of the pathways to overcome stalled replication in which specific polymerases (TLS polymerase) perform bypass synthesis across DNA damage. This article gives a brief overview of plant TLS polymerases. In Arabidopsis, DNA polymerase (Pol) ζ, η, κ, θ, and λ and Reversionless1 (Rev1) are shown to be involved in the TLS. For example, AtPolη bypasses ultraviolet (UV)-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in vitro. Disruption of AtPolζ or AtPolη increases root stem cell death after UV irradiation. These results suggest that AtPolζ and ATPolη bypass UV-induced damage, prevent replication arrest, and allow damaged cells to survive and grow. In general, TLS polymerases have low fidelity and often induce mutations. Accordingly, disruption of AtPolζ or AtRev1 reduces somatic mutation frequency, whereas disruption of AtPolη elevates it, suggesting that plants have both mutagenic and less mutagenic TLS activities. The stalled replication fork can be resolved by a strand switch pathway involving a DNA helicase Rad5. Disruption of both AtPolζ and AtRAD5a shows synergistic or additive effects in the sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. Moreover, AtPolζ or AtRev1 disruption elevates homologous recombination frequencies in somatic tissues. These results suggest that the Rad5-dependent pathway and TLS are parallel. Plants grown in the presence of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor showed lower mutation frequencies, suggesting that HSP90 regulates mutagenic TLS in plants. Hypersensitivities of TLS-deficient plants to γ-ray and/or crosslink damage suggest that plant TLS polymerases have multiple roles, as reported in other organisms.

Repair of a Site-Specific DNA Cleavage: Old-School Lessons for Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing may involve nonhomologous end-joining to create various insertion/deletions (indels) or may employ homologous recombination to modify precisely the target DNA sequence. Our understanding of these processes has been guided by earlier studies using other site-specific endonucleases, both in model organisms such as budding yeast and in mammalian cells. We briefly review what has been gleaned from such studies using the HO and I-SceI endonucleases and how these findings guide current gene editing strategies.

Regulation of hetDNA Length during Mitotic Double-Strand Break Repair in Yeast

Heteroduplex DNA (hetDNA) is a key molecular intermediate during the repair of mitotic double-strand breaks by homologous recombination, but its relationship to 5' end resection and/or 3' end extension is poorly understood. In the current study, we examined how perturbations in these processes affect the hetDNA profile associated with repair of a defined double-strand break (DSB) by the synthesis-dependent strand-annealing (SDSA) pathway. Loss of either the Exo1 or Sgs1 long-range resection pathway significantly shortened hetDNA, suggesting that these pathways normally collaborate during DSB repair. In addition, altering the processivity or proofreading activity of DNA polymerase δ shortened hetDNA length or reduced break-adjacent mismatch removal, respectively, demonstrating that this is the primary polymerase that extends both 3' ends. Data are most consistent with the extent of DNA synthesis from the invading end being the primary determinant of hetDNA length during SDSA.

Eukaryotic DNA Polymerases in Homologous Recombination

Homologous recombination (HR) is a central process to ensure genomic stability in somatic cells and during meiosis. HR-associated DNA synthesis determines in large part the fidelity of the process. A number of recent studies have demonstrated that DNA synthesis during HR is conservative, less processive, and more mutagenic than replicative DNA synthesis. In this review, we describe mechanistic features of DNA synthesis during different types of HR-mediated DNA repair, including synthesis-dependent strand annealing, break-induced replication, and meiotic recombination. We highlight recent findings from diverse eukaryotic organisms, including humans, that suggest both replicative and translesion DNA polymerases are involved in HR-associated DNA synthesis. Our focus is to integrate the emerging literature about DNA polymerase involvement during HR with the unique aspects of these repair mechanisms, including mutagenesis and template switching.

Mutation at a distance caused by homopolymeric guanine repeats in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mutation provides the raw material from which natural selection shapes adaptations. The rate at which new mutations arise is therefore a key factor that determines the tempo and mode of evolution. However, an accurate assessment of the mutation rate of a given organism is difficult because mutation rate varies on a fine scale within a genome. A central challenge of evolutionary genetics is to determine the underlying causes of this variation. In earlier work, we had shown that repeat sequences not only are prone to a high rate of expansion and contraction but also can cause an increase in mutation rate (on the order of kilobases) of the sequence surrounding the repeat. We perform experiments that show that simple guanine repeats 13 bp (base pairs) in length or longer (G 13+ ) increase the substitution rate 4- to 18-fold in the downstream DNA sequence, and this correlates with DNA replication timing (R = 0.89). We show that G 13+ mutagenicity results from the interplay of both error-prone translesion synthesis and homologous recombination repair pathways. The mutagenic repeats that we study have the potential to be exploited for the artificial elevation of mutation rate in systems biology and synthetic biology applications.

Mechanisms and regulation of mitotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Homology-dependent exchange of genetic information between DNA molecules has a profound impact on the maintenance of genome integrity by facilitating error-free DNA repair, replication, and chromosome segregation during cell division as well as programmed cell developmental events. This chapter will focus on homologous mitotic recombination in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, there is an important link between mitotic and meiotic recombination (covered in the forthcoming chapter by Hunter et al. 2015) and many of the functions are evolutionarily conserved. Here we will discuss several models that have been proposed to explain the mechanism of mitotic recombination, the genes and proteins involved in various pathways, the genetic and physical assays used to discover and study these genes, and the roles of many of these proteins inside the cell.

Genetic instability in budding and fission yeast-sources and mechanisms

Cells are constantly confronted with endogenous and exogenous factors that affect their genomes. Eons of evolution have allowed the cellular mechanisms responsible for preserving the genome to adjust for achieving contradictory objectives: to maintain the genome unchanged and to acquire mutations that allow adaptation to environmental changes. One evolutionary mechanism that has been refined for survival is genetic variation. In this review, we describe the mechanisms responsible for two biological processes: genome maintenance and mutation tolerance involved in generations of genetic variations in mitotic cells of both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. These processes encompass mechanisms that ensure the fidelity of replication, DNA lesion sensing and DNA damage response pathways, as well as mechanisms that ensure precision in chromosome segregation during cell division. We discuss various factors that may influence genome stability, such as cellular ploidy, the phase of the cell cycle, transcriptional activity of a particular region of DNA, the proficiency of DNA quality control systems, the metabolic stage of the cell and its respiratory potential, and finally potential exposure to endogenous or environmental stress.

The stability of budding and fission yeast genomes is influenced by two contradictory factors: (1) the need to be fully functional, which is ensured through the replication fidelity pathways of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes through sensing and repairing DNA damage, through precise chromosome segregation during cell division; and (2) the need to acquire changes for adaptation to environmental challenges.

Targeted gene correction minimally impacts whole-genome mutational load in human-disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cell clones

The utility of genome editing technologies for disease modeling and developing cellular therapies has been extensively documented, but the impact of these technologies on mutational load at the whole-genome level remains unclear. We performed whole-genome sequencing to evaluate the mutational load at single-base resolution in individual gene-corrected human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) clones in three different disease models. In single-cell clones, gene correction by helper-dependent adenoviral vector (HDAdV) or Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nuclease (TALEN) exhibited few off-target effects and a low level of sequence variation, comparable to that accumulated in routine hiPSC culture. The sequence variants were randomly distributed and unique to individual clones. We also combined both technologies and developed a TALEN-HDAdV hybrid vector, which significantly increased gene-correction efficiency in hiPSCs. Therefore, with careful monitoring via whole-genome sequencing it is possible to apply genome editing to human pluripotent cells with minimal impact on genomic mutational load.

Elevated mutation rate during meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mutations accumulate during all stages of growth, but only germ line mutations contribute to evolution. While meiosis contributes to evolution by reassortment of parental alleles, we show here that the process itself is inherently mutagenic. We have previously shown that the DNA synthesis associated with repair of a double-strand break is about 1000-fold less accurate than S-phase synthesis. Since the process of meiosis involves many programmed DSBs, we reasoned that this repair might also be mutagenic. Indeed, in the early 1960's Magni and Von Borstel observed elevated reversion of recessive alleles during meiosis, and found that the revertants were more likely to be associated with a crossover than non-revertants, a process that they called "the meiotic effect." Here we use a forward mutation reporter (CAN1 HIS3) placed at either a meiotic recombination coldspot or hotspot near the MAT locus on Chromosome III. We find that the increased mutation rate at CAN1 (6 to 21 -fold) correlates with the underlying recombination rate at the locus. Importantly, we show that the elevated mutation rate is fully dependent upon Spo11, the protein that introduces the meiosis specific DSBs. To examine associated recombination we selected for random spores with or without a mutation in CAN1. We find that the mutations isolated this way show an increased association with recombination (crossovers, loss of crossover interference and/or increased gene conversion tracts). Polζ appears to contribute about half of the mutations induced during meiosis, but is not the only source of mutations for the meiotic effect. We see no difference in either the spectrum or distribution of mutations between mitosis and meiosis. The correlation of hotspots with elevated mutagenesis provides a mechanism for organisms to control evolution rates in a gene specific manner.

Is homologous recombination really an error-free process?

Homologous recombination (HR) is an evolutionarily conserved process that plays a pivotal role in the equilibrium between genetic stability and diversity. HR is commonly considered to be error-free, but several studies have shown that HR can be error-prone. Here, we discuss the actual accuracy of HR. First, we present the product of genetic exchanges (gene conversion, GC, and crossing over, CO) and the mechanisms of HR during double strand break repair and replication restart. We discuss the intrinsic capacities of HR to generate genome rearrangements by GC or CO, either during DSB repair or replication restart. During this process, abortive HR intermediates generate genetic instability and cell toxicity. In addition to genome rearrangements, HR also primes error-prone DNA synthesis and favors mutagenesis on single stranded DNA, a key DNA intermediate during the HR process. The fact that cells have developed several mechanisms protecting against HR excess emphasize its potential risks. Consistent with this duality, several pro-oncogenic situations have been consistently associated with either decreased or increased HR levels. Nevertheless, this versatility also has advantages that we outline here. We conclude that HR is a double-edged sword, which on one hand controls the equilibrium between genome stability and diversity but, on the other hand, can jeopardize the maintenance of genomic integrity. Therefore, whether non-homologous end joining (which, in contrast with HR, is not intrinsically mutagenic) or HR is the more mutagenic process is a question that should be re-evaluated. Both processes can be "Dr. Jekyll" in maintaining genome stability/variability and "Mr. Hyde" in jeopardizing genome integrity.

Clustered and genome-wide transient mutagenesis in human cancers: Hypermutation without permanent mutators or loss of fitness

The gain of a selective advantage in cancer as well as the establishment of complex traits during evolution require multiple genetic alterations, but how these mutations accumulate over time is currently unclear. There is increasing evidence that a mutator phenotype perpetuates the development of many human cancers. While in some cases the increased mutation rate is the result of a genetic disruption of DNA repair and replication or environmental exposures, other evidence suggests that endogenous DNA damage induced by AID/APOBEC cytidine deaminases can result in transient localized hypermutation generating simultaneous, closely spaced (i.e. "clustered") multiple mutations. Here, we discuss mechanisms that lead to mutation cluster formation, the biological consequences of their formation in cancer and evidence suggesting that APOBEC mutagenesis can also occur genome-wide. This raises the possibility that dysregulation of these enzymes may enable rapid malignant transformation by increasing mutation rates without the loss of fitness associated with permanent mutators.

Roles of exonucleases and translesion synthesis DNA polymerases during mitotic gap repair in yeast

Transformation-based gap-repair assays have long been used to model the repair of mitotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination in yeast. In the current study, we examine genetic requirements of two key processes involved in DSB repair: (1) the processive 5'-end resection that is required to efficiently engage a repair template and (2) the filling of resected ends by DNA polymerases. The specific gap-repair assay used allows repair events resolved as crossover versus noncrossover products to be distinguished, as well as the extent of heteroduplex DNA formed during recombination to be measured. To examine end resection, the efficiency and outcome of gap repair were monitored in the absence of the Exo1 exonuclease and the Sgs1 helicase. We found that either Exo1 or Sgs1 presence is sufficient to inhibit gap-repair efficiency over 10-fold, consistent with resection-mediated destruction of the introduced plasmid. In terms of DNA polymerase requirements for gap repair, we focused specifically on potential roles of the Pol ζ and Pol η translesion synthesis DNA polymerases. We found that both Pol ζ and Pol η are necessary for efficient gap repair and that each functions independently of the other. These polymerases may be involved either in the initiation of DNA synthesis from the an invading end, or in a gap-filling process that is required to complete recombination.

Oxidative stress-induced mutagenesis in single-strand DNA occurs primarily at cytosines and is DNA polymerase zeta-dependent only for adenines and guanines

Localized hyper-mutability caused by accumulation of lesions in persistent single-stranded (ss) DNA has been recently found in several types of cancers. An increase in endogenous levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered to be one of the hallmarks of cancers. Employing a yeast model system, we addressed the role of oxidative stress as a potential source of hyper-mutability in ssDNA by modulation of the endogenous ROS levels and by exposing cells to oxidative DNA-damaging agents. We report here that under oxidative stress conditions the majority of base substitution mutations in ssDNA are caused by erroneous, DNA polymerase (Pol) zeta-independent bypass of cytosines, resulting in C to T transitions. For all other DNA bases Pol zeta is essential for ROS-induced mutagenesis. The density of ROS-induced mutations in ssDNA is lower, compared to that caused by UV and MMS, which suggests that ssDNA could be actively protected from oxidative damage. These findings have important implications for understanding mechanisms of oxidative mutagenesis, and could be applied to development of anticancer therapies and cancer prevention.

The yeast environmental stress response regulates mutagenesis induced by proteotoxic stress

Conditions of chronic stress are associated with genetic instability in many organisms, but the roles of stress responses in mutagenesis have so far been elucidated only in bacteria. Here, we present data demonstrating that the environmental stress response (ESR) in yeast functions in mutagenesis induced by proteotoxic stress. We show that the drug canavanine causes proteotoxic stress, activates the ESR, and induces mutagenesis at several loci in an ESR-dependent manner. Canavanine-induced mutagenesis also involves translesion DNA polymerases Rev1 and Polζ and non-homologous end joining factor Ku. Furthermore, under conditions of chronic sub-lethal canavanine stress, deletions of Rev1, Polζ, and Ku-encoding genes exhibit genetic interactions with ESR mutants indicative of ESR regulating these mutagenic DNA repair processes. Analyses of mutagenesis induced by several different stresses showed that the ESR specifically modulates mutagenesis induced by proteotoxic stress. Together, these results document the first known example of an involvement of a eukaryotic stress response pathway in mutagenesis and have important implications for mechanisms of evolution, carcinogenesis, and emergence of drug-resistant pathogens and chemotherapy-resistant tumors.

Cellular capability to mutate its DNA plays an important role in evolution and impinges on medical issues, including acquisition of mutator phenotypes by cancer cells and emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. Whether and how the environment affects rates of mutation has been studied predominantly in the context of environmental agents that damage DNA (e.g. UV and γ-rays). However, it has been observed that conditions of chronic non-DNA-damaging stress (e.g. starvation or heat shock) also increase mutagenesis. It has been shown that in bacteria, activation of the general stress response activates a pro-mutagenic pathway and thus promotes mutagenesis during periods of stress. However, in eukaryotes, so far there has been no evidence of a stress response regulating mutagenesis. In this manuscript we demonstrate that in budding yeast, a model eukaryote, the general environmental stress response (ESR) regulates mutagenesis induced by proteotoxic stress (accumulation of unfolded proteins) at several loci. We also identify two pro-mutagenic DNA metabolic pathways that contribute to this mutagenesis and present genetic data showing that the ESR regulates these pathways. Together, these data advance our understanding of how cellular sensing and responding to environmental cues affect cellular capability for mutagenesis.

Fragile DNA motifs trigger mutagenesis at distant chromosomal loci in saccharomyces cerevisiae

DNA sequences capable of adopting non-canonical secondary structures have been associated with gross-chromosomal rearrangements in humans and model organisms. Previously, we have shown that long inverted repeats that form hairpin and cruciform structures and triplex-forming GAA/TTC repeats induce the formation of double-strand breaks which trigger genome instability in yeast. In this study, we demonstrate that breakage at both inverted repeats and GAA/TTC repeats is augmented by defects in DNA replication. Increased fragility is associated with increased mutation levels in the reporter genes located as far as 8 kb from both sides of the repeats. The increase in mutations was dependent on the presence of inverted or GAA/TTC repeats and activity of the translesion polymerase Polζ. Mutagenesis induced by inverted repeats also required Sae2 which opens hairpin-capped breaks and initiates end resection. The amount of breakage at the repeats is an important determinant of mutations as a perfect palindromic sequence with inherently increased fragility was also found to elevate mutation rates even in replication-proficient strains. We hypothesize that the underlying mechanism for mutagenesis induced by fragile motifs involves the formation of long single-stranded regions in the broken chromosome, invasion of the undamaged sister chromatid for repair, and faulty DNA synthesis employing Polζ. These data demonstrate that repeat-mediated breaks pose a dual threat to eukaryotic genome integrity by inducing chromosomal aberrations as well as mutations in flanking genes.

Mutations arising during repair of chromosome breaks

Mutations stimulate evolutionary change and lead to birth defects and cancer in humans as well as to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. According to the classic view, most mutations arise in dividing cells and result from uncorrected errors of S-phase DNA replication, which is highly accurate because of the involvement of selective DNA polymerases and efficient error-correcting mechanisms. In contrast, studies in bacteria and yeast reveal that DNA synthesis associated with repair of double-strand chromosomal breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination is highly inaccurate, thus making DSBs and their repair an important source of mutations. Different error-prone mechanisms appear to operate in different repair scenarios. In the filling in of single-stranded DNA regions, error-prone translesion DNA polymerases appear to produce most errors. In contrast, in gene conversion gap repair and in break-induced replication, errors are independent of translesion polymerases, and many mutations have the signatures of template switching during DNA repair synthesis. DNA repair also appears to create complex copy-number variants. Overall, homologous recombination, which is traditionally considered a safe pathway of DSB repair, is an important source of mutagenesis that may contribute to human disease and evolution.

Harnessing mutagenic homologous recombination for targeted mutagenesis in vivo by TaGTEAM

A major hurdle to evolutionary engineering approaches for multigenic phenotypes is the ability to simultaneously modify multiple genes rapidly and selectively. Here, we describe a method for in vivo-targeted mutagenesis in yeast, targeting glycosylases to embedded arrays for mutagenesis (TaGTEAM). By fusing the yeast 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase MAG1 to a tetR DNA-binding domain, we are able to elevate mutation rates >800 fold in a specific ∼20-kb region of the genome or on a plasmid that contains an array of tetO sites. A wide spectrum of transitions, transversions and single base deletions are observed. We provide evidence that TaGTEAM generated point mutations occur through error-prone homologous recombination (HR) and depend on resectioning and the error-prone polymerase Pol ζ. We show that HR is error-prone in this context because of DNA damage checkpoint activation and base pair lesions and use this knowledge to shift the primary mutagenic outcome of targeted endonuclease breaks from HR-independent rearrangements to HR-dependent point mutations. The ability to switch repair in this way opens up the possibility of using targeted endonucleases in diverse organisms for in vivo-targeted mutagenesis.

Whole-genome sequencing in autism identifies hot spots for de novo germline mutation

De novo mutation plays an important role in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Notably, pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs) are characterized by high mutation rates. We hypothesize that hypermutability is a property of ASD genes and may also include nucleotide-substitution hot spots. We investigated global patterns of germline mutation by whole-genome sequencing of monozygotic twins concordant for ASD and their parents. Mutation rates varied widely throughout the genome (by 100-fold) and could be explained by intrinsic characteristics of DNA sequence and chromatin structure. Dense clusters of mutations within individual genomes were attributable to compound mutation or gene conversion. Hypermutability was a characteristic of genes involved in ASD and other diseases. In addition, genes impacted by mutations in this study were associated with ASD in independent exome-sequencing data sets. Our findings suggest that regional hypermutation is a significant factor shaping patterns of genetic variation and disease risk in humans.

Modulation of mutagenesis in eukaryotes by DNA replication fork dynamics and quality of nucleotide pools

The rate of mutations in eukaryotes depends on a plethora of factors and is not immediately derived from the fidelity of DNA polymerases (Pols). Replication of chromosomes containing the anti-parallel strands of duplex DNA occurs through the copying of leading and lagging strand templates by a trio of Pols α, δ and ϵ, with the assistance of Pol ζ and Y-family Pols at difficult DNA template structures or sites of DNA damage. The parameters of the synthesis at a given location are dictated by the quality and quantity of nucleotides in the pools, replication fork architecture, transcription status, regulation of Pol switches, and structure of chromatin. The result of these transactions is a subject of survey and editing by DNA repair.

Genomic deletions and point mutations induced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by the trinucleotide repeats (GAA·TTC) associated with Friedreich's ataxia

Expansion of certain trinucleotide repeats causes several types of human diseases, and such tracts are associated with the formation of deletions and other types of genetic rearrangements in Escherichia coli, yeast, and mammalian cells. Below, we show that long (230 repeats) tracts of the trinucleotide associated with Friedreich's ataxia (GAA·TTC) stimulate both large (>50 bp) deletions and point mutations in a reporter gene located more than 1 kb from the repetitive tract. Sequence analysis of deletion breakpoints indicates that the deletions reflect non-homologous end joining of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) initiated in the tract. The tract-induced point mutations appear to reflect a different mechanism involving single-strand annealing of DNA molecules generated by DSBs within the tract, followed by filling-in of single-stranded gaps by the error-prone DNA polymerase zeta.

Recognition, signaling, and repair of DNA double-strand breaks produced by ionizing radiation in mammalian cells: the molecular choreography

The faithful maintenance of chromosome continuity in human cells during DNA replication and repair is critical for preventing the conversion of normal diploid cells to an oncogenic state. The evolution of higher eukaryotic cells endowed them with a large genetic investment in the molecular machinery that ensures chromosome stability. In mammalian and other vertebrate cells, the elimination of double-strand breaks with minimal nucleotide sequence change involves the spatiotemporal orchestration of a seemingly endless number of proteins ranging in their action from the nucleotide level to nucleosome organization and chromosome architecture. DNA DSBs trigger a myriad of post-translational modifications that alter catalytic activities and the specificity of protein interactions: phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, ubiquitylation, and SUMOylation, followed by the reversal of these changes as repair is completed. "Superfluous" protein recruitment to damage sites, functional redundancy, and alternative pathways ensure that DSB repair is extremely efficient, both quantitatively and qualitatively. This review strives to integrate the information about the molecular mechanisms of DSB repair that has emerged over the last two decades with a focus on DSBs produced by the prototype agent ionizing radiation (IR). The exponential growth of molecular studies, heavily driven by RNA knockdown technology, now reveals an outline of how many key protein players in genome stability and cancer biology perform their interwoven tasks, e.g. ATM, ATR, DNA-PK, Chk1, Chk2, PARP1/2/3, 53BP1, BRCA1, BRCA2, BLM, RAD51, and the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 complex. Thus, the nature of the intricate coordination of repair processes with cell cycle progression is becoming apparent. This review also links molecular abnormalities to cellular pathology as much a possible and provides a framework of temporal relationships.

Pol31 and Pol32 subunits of yeast DNA polymerase δ are also essential subunits of DNA polymerase ζ

Replication through a diverse array of DNA lesions occurs by the sequential action of two translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases (Pols), in which one inserts the nucleotide opposite the lesion and the other carries out the subsequent extension. By extending from the nucleotide inserted by another Pol, Polζ plays an indispensable role in mediating lesion bypass. Polζ comprises the Rev3 catalytic and Rev7 accessory subunits. Pol32, a subunit of the replicative polymerase Polδ, is also required for Polζ-dependent TLS, but how this Polδ subunit contributes to Polζ function in TLS has remained unknown. Here we show that yeast Polζ is a four-subunit enzyme containing Rev3, Rev7, Pol31, and Pol32; in this complex, association with Pol31/Pol32 is mediated via binding of the Rev3 C terminus to Pol31. The functional requirement of this complex is supported by evidence that mutational inactivation of Rev3's ability to bind Pol31 abrogates Polζ's role in TLS in yeast cells. These findings identify an unexpected role of Pol31 and Pol32 as two essential subunits of Polζ, and clarify why these proteins are required for Polζ-dependent TLS, but not for TLS mediated by Polη in yeast cells. To distinguish the four-subunit complex from the two-subunit Polζ, we designate the four-subunit enzyme "Polζ-d," where "-d" denotes the Pol31/Pol32 subunits of Polδ.

Competition between replicative and translesion polymerases during homologous recombination repair in Drosophila

In metazoans, the mechanism by which DNA is synthesized during homologous recombination repair of double-strand breaks is poorly understood. Specifically, the identities of the polymerase(s) that carry out repair synthesis and how they are recruited to repair sites are unclear. Here, we have investigated the roles of several different polymerases during homologous recombination repair in Drosophila melanogaster. Using a gap repair assay, we found that homologous recombination is impaired in Drosophila lacking DNA polymerase zeta and, to a lesser extent, polymerase eta. In addition, the Pol32 protein, part of the polymerase delta complex, is needed for repair requiring extensive synthesis. Loss of Rev1, which interacts with multiple translesion polymerases, results in increased synthesis during gap repair. Together, our findings support a model in which translesion polymerases and the polymerase delta complex compete during homologous recombination repair. In addition, they establish Rev1 as a crucial factor that regulates the extent of repair synthesis.

DNA polymerases are required during both DNA replication and various types of DNA repair. DNA double-strand breaks are frequently repaired by homologous recombination, a conservative process in which DNA is copied into the break site from a similar template. The specific polymerases that operate during homologous recombination repair of DNA double-strand breaks have not been fully characterized in multicellular organisms. In this study, we created mutant strains of Drosophila lacking one or more DNA polymerases and determined their ability to synthesize large amounts of DNA during homologous recombination. We found that the error-prone translesion polymerases eta and zeta play overlapping roles during the initiation of synthesis, while the Pol32 subunit of the replicative polymerase delta complex is required for repair involving large amounts of synthesis. In addition, we showed that flies lacking the Rev1 translesion polymerase synthesize more DNA during gap repair than their normal counterparts. Our results demonstrate that both replicative and translesion polymerases are involved in homologous recombination and identify Rev1 as a protein that may regulate the access of various polymerases to double-strand break repair intermediates.

REV1 and polymerase ζ facilitate homologous recombination repair

REV1 and DNA Polymerase ζ (REV3 and REV7) play important roles in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) in which DNA replication bypasses blocking lesions. REV1 and Polζ have also been implicated in promoting repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). However, the mechanism by which these two TLS polymerases increase tolerance to DSBs is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that full-length human REV1, REV3 and REV7 interact in vivo (as determined by co-immunoprecipitation studies) and together, promote homologous recombination repair. Cells lacking REV3 were hypersensitive to agents that cause DSBs including the PARP inhibitor, olaparib. REV1, REV3 or REV7-depleted cells displayed increased chromosomal aberrations, residual DSBs and sites of HR repair following exposure to ionizing radiation. Notably, cells depleted of DNA polymerase η (Polη) or the E3 ubiquitin ligase RAD18 were proficient in DSB repair following exposure to IR indicating that Polη-dependent lesion bypass or RAD18-dependent monoubiquitination of PCNA are not necessary to promote REV1 and Polζ-dependent DNA repair. Thus, the REV1/Polζ complex maintains genomic stability by directly participating in DSB repair in addition to the canonical TLS pathway.

Aneuploidy drives genomic instability in yeast

Aneuploidy decreases cellular fitness, yet it is also associated with cancer, a disease of enhanced proliferative capacity. To investigate one mechanism by which aneuploidy could contribute to tumorigenesis, we examined the effects of aneuploidy on genomic stability. We analyzed 13 budding yeast strains that carry extra copies of single chromosomes and found that all aneuploid strains exhibited one or more forms of genomic instability. Most strains displayed increased chromosome loss and mitotic recombination, as well as defective DNA damage repair. Aneuploid fission yeast strains also exhibited defects in mitotic recombination. Aneuploidy-induced genomic instability could facilitate the development of genetic alterations that drive malignant growth in cancer.

Lesion bypass by S. cerevisiae Pol ζ alone

DNA polymerase zeta (Pol ζ) participates in translesion synthesis (TLS) of DNA adducts that stall replication fork progression. Previous studies have led to the suggestion that the primary role of Pol ζ in TLS is to extend primers created when another DNA polymerase inserts nucleotides opposite lesions. Here we test the non-exclusive possibility that Pol ζ can sometimes perform TLS in the absence of any other polymerase. To do so, we quantified the efficiency with which S. cerevisiae Pol ζ bypasses abasic sites, cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and (6-4) photoproducts. In reactions containing dNTP concentrations that mimic those induced by DNA damage, a Pol ζ derivative with phenylalanine substituted for leucine 979 at the polymerase active site bypasses all three lesions at efficiencies between 27 and 73%. Wild-type Pol ζ also bypasses these lesions, with efficiencies that are lower and depend on the sequence context in which the lesion resides. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that, in addition to extending aberrant termini created by other DNA polymerases, Pol ζ has the potential to be the sole DNA polymerase involved in TLS.

Clusters of nucleotide substitutions and insertion/deletion mutations are associated with repeat sequences

The genome-sequencing gold rush has facilitated the use of comparative genomics to uncover patterns of genome evolution, although their causal mechanisms remain elusive. One such trend, ubiquitous to prokarya and eukarya, is the association of insertion/deletion mutations (indels) with increases in the nucleotide substitution rate extending over hundreds of base pairs. The prevailing hypothesis is that indels are themselves mutagenic agents. Here, we employ population genomics data from Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces paradoxus, and Drosophila to provide evidence suggesting that it is not the indels per se but the sequence in which indels occur that causes the accumulation of nucleotide substitutions. We found that about two-thirds of indels are closely associated with repeat sequences and that repeat sequence abundance could be used to identify regions of elevated sequence diversity, independently of indels. Moreover, the mutational signature of indel-proximal nucleotide substitutions matches that of error-prone DNA polymerases. We propose that repeat sequences promote an increased probability of replication fork arrest, causing the persistent recruitment of error-prone DNA polymerases to specific sequence regions over evolutionary time scales. Experimental measures of the mutation rates of engineered DNA sequences and analyses of experimentally obtained collections of spontaneous mutations provide molecular evidence supporting our hypothesis. This study uncovers a new role for repeat sequences in genome evolution and provides an explanation of how fine-scale sequence contextual effects influence mutation rates and thereby evolution.

RAD51-independent inverted-repeat recombination by a strand-annealing mechanism

Recombination between inverted repeats is RAD52 dependent, but reduced only modestly in the rad51Δ mutant. RAD59 is required for RAD51-independent inverted-repeat recombination, but no clear mechanism for how recombination occurs in the absence of RAD51 has emerged. Because Rad59 is thought to function as an accessory factor for the single-strand annealing activity of Rad52 one possible mechanism for spontaneous recombination could be by strand annealing between repeats at a stalled replication fork. Here we demonstrate the importance of the Rad52 single-strand annealing activity for generating recombinants by showing suppression of the rad52Δ, rad51Δ rad52Δ and rad52Δ rad59Δ inverted-repeat recombination defects by the rfa1-D228Y mutation. In addition, formation of recombinants in the rad51Δ mutant was sensitive to the distance between the inverted repeats, consistent with a replication-based mechanism. Deletion of RAD5 or RAD18, which are required for error-free post-replication repair, reduced the recombination rate in the rad59Δ mutant, but not in wild type. These data are consistent with RAD51-independent recombinants arising by a faulty template switch mechanism that is distinct from nascent strand template switching.

Damage-induced localized hypermutability

Genome instability continuously presents perils of cancer, genetic disease and death of a cell or an organism. At the same time, it provides for genome plasticity that is essential for development and evolution. We address here the genome instability confined to a small fraction of DNA adjacent to free DNA ends at uncapped telomeres and double-strand breaks. We found that budding yeast cells can tolerate nearly 20 kilobase regions of subtelomeric single-strand DNA that contain multiple UV-damaged nucleotides. During restoration to the double-strand state, multiple mutations are generated by error-prone translesion synthesis. Genome-wide sequencing demonstrated that multiple regions of damage-induced localized hypermutability can be tolerated, which leads to the simultaneous appearance of multiple mutation clusters in the genomes of UV- irradiated cells. High multiplicity and density of mutations suggest that this novel form of genome instability may play significant roles in generating new alleles for evolutionary selection as well as in the incidence of cancer and genetic disease.

Break-induced replication is highly inaccurate

DNA replication initiated by one-ended homologous recombination at a double-strand break is highly inaccurate, as it greatly stimulates frameshift mutations over the entire path of the replication fork.

DNA must be synthesized for purposes of genome duplication and DNA repair. While the former is a highly accurate process, short-patch synthesis associated with repair of DNA damage is often error-prone. Break-induced replication (BIR) is a unique cellular process that mimics normal DNA replication in its processivity, rate, and capacity to duplicate hundreds of kilobases, but is initiated at double-strand breaks (DSBs) rather than at replication origins. Here we employed a series of frameshift reporters to measure mutagenesis associated with BIR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We demonstrate that BIR DNA synthesis is intrinsically inaccurate over the entire path of the replication fork, as the rate of frameshift mutagenesis during BIR is up to 2,800-fold higher than during normal replication. Importantly, this high rate of mutagenesis was observed not only close to the DSB where BIR is less stable, but also far from the DSB where the BIR replication fork is fast and stabilized. We established that polymerase proofreading and mismatch repair correct BIR errors. Also, dNTP levels were elevated during BIR, and this contributed to BIR-related mutagenesis. We propose that a high level of DNA polymerase errors that is not fully compensated by error-correction mechanisms is largely responsible for mutagenesis during BIR, with Pol δ generating many of the mutagenic errors. We further postulate that activation of BIR in eukaryotic cells may significantly contribute to accumulation of mutations that fuel cancer and evolution.

Accurate transmission of genetic information requires the precise replication of parental DNA. Mutations (which can be beneficial or deleterious) arise from errors that remain uncorrected. DNA replication occurs during S-phase of the cell cycle and is extremely accurate due to highly selective DNA polymerases coupled with effective error-correction mechanisms. In contrast, DNA synthesis associated with short-patch DNA repair is often error-prone. Break-induced replication (BIR) presents an interesting case of large-scale DNA duplication that occurs in the context of DNA repair. In this study we employed a yeast-based system to investigate the level of mutagenesis associated with BIR compared to mutagenesis during normal DNA replication. We report that frameshifts, which are the most deleterious kind of point mutation, are much more frequent during BIR than during normal DNA replication. Surprisingly, we observed that the majority of mutations associated with BIR were created by polymerases responsible for normal DNA replication, which are assumed to be highly precise. Overall, we propose that BIR is a novel source of mutagenesis that may contribute to disease genesis and evolution.

Real-time analysis of double-strand DNA break repair by homologous recombination

The ability to induce synchronously a single site-specific double-strand break (DSB) in a budding yeast chromosome has made it possible to monitor the kinetics and genetic requirements of many molecular steps during DSB repair. Special attention has been paid to the switching of mating-type genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a process initiated by the HO endonuclease by cleaving the MAT locus. A DSB in MATa is repaired by homologous recombination--specifically, by gene conversion--using a heterochromatic donor, HMLα. Repair results in the replacement of the a-specific sequences (Ya) by Yα and switching from MATa to MATα. We report that MAT switching requires the DNA replication factor Dpb11, although it does not require the Cdc7-Dbf4 kinase or the Mcm and Cdc45 helicase components. Using Southern blot, PCR, and ChIP analysis of samples collected every 10 min, we extend previous studies of this process to identify the times for the loading of Rad51 recombinase protein onto the DSB ends at MAT, the subsequent strand invasion by the Rad51 nucleoprotein filament into the donor sequences, the initiation of new DNA synthesis, and the removal of the nonhomologous Y sequences. In addition we report evidence for the transient displacement of well-positioned nucleosomes in the HML donor locus during strand invasion.

DNA polymerases and cancer

There are 15 different DNA polymerases encoded in mammalian genomes, which are specialized for replication, repair or the tolerance of DNA damage. New evidence is emerging for lesion-specific and tissue-specific functions of DNA polymerases. Many point mutations that occur in cancer cells arise from the error-generating activities of DNA polymerases. However, the ability of some of these enzymes to bypass DNA damage may actually defend against chromosome instability in cells, and at least one DNA polymerase, Pol ζ, is a suppressor of spontaneous tumorigenesis. Because DNA polymerases can help cancer cells tolerate DNA damage, some of these enzymes might be viable targets for therapeutic strategies.

Participation of translesion synthesis DNA polymerases in the maintenance of chromosome integrity in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We employed a genetic assay based on illegitimate hybridization of heterothallic Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (the α-test) to analyze the consequences for genome stability of inactivating translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases. The α-test is the only assay that measures the frequency of different types of mutational changes (point mutations, recombination, chromosome or chromosome arm loss) and temporary changes in genetic material simultaneously. All these events are manifested as illegitimate hybridization and can be distinguished by genetic analysis of the hybrids and cytoductants. We studied the effect of Polζ, Polη, and Rev1 deficiency on the genome stability in the absence of genotoxic treatment and in UV-irradiated cells. We show that, in spite of the increased percent of accurately repaired primary lesions, chromosome fragility, rearrangements, and loss occur in the absence of Polζ and Polη. Our findings contribute to further refinement of the current models of translesion synthesis and the organization of eukaryotic replication fork.

Natural selection shapes nucleotide polymorphism across the genome of the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae

The combined actions of natural selection, mutation, and recombination forge the landscape of genetic variation across genomes. One frequently observed manifestation of these processes is a positive association between neutral genetic variation and local recombination rates. Two selective mechanisms and/or recombination-associated mutation (RAM) could generate this pattern, and the relative importance of these alternative possibilities remains unresolved generally. Here we quantify nucleotide differences within populations, between populations, and between species to test for genome-wide effects of selection and RAM in the partially selfing nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae. We find that nearly half of genome-wide variation in nucleotide polymorphism is explained by differences in local recombination rates. By quantifying divergence between several reproductively isolated lineages, we demonstrate that ancestral polymorphism generates a spurious signal of RAM for closely related lineages, with implications for analyses of humans and primates; RAM is, at most, a minor factor in C. briggsae. We conclude that the positive relation between nucleotide polymorphism and the rate of crossover represents the footprint of natural selection across the C. briggsae genome and demonstrate that background selection against deleterious mutations is sufficient to explain this pattern. Hill-Robertson interference also leaves a signature of more effective purifying selection in high-recombination regions of the genome. Finally, we identify an emerging contrast between widespread adaptive hitchhiking effects in species with large outcrossing populations (e.g., Drosophila) versus pervasive background selection effects on the genomes of organisms with self-fertilizing lifestyles and/or small population sizes (e.g., Caenorhabditis elegans, C. briggsae, Arabidopsis thaliana, Lycopersicon, human). These results illustrate how recombination, mutation, selection, and population history interact in important ways to shape molecular heterogeneity within and between genomes.

A time-invariant principle of genome evolution

Uncovering general principles of genome evolution that are time-invariant and that operate in germ and somatic cells has implications for genome-wide association studies (GWAS), gene therapy, and disease genomics. Here we investigate the relationship between structural alterations (e.g., insertions and deletions) and single-nucleotide substitutions by comparing the following genomes that diverged at different times across germ- and somatic-cell lineages: (i) the reference human and chimpanzee genome (in million years), (ii) the reference human and personal genomes (in tens of thousands of years), and (iii) structurally altered regions in cancer and genetically engineered cells (in days). At the species level, genes with structural alteration in nearby regions show increased single-nucleotide changes and tend to evolve faster. In personal genomes, the single-nucleotide substitution rate is higher near sites of structural alteration and decreases with increasing distance. In human cancer cell populations and in cells genetically engineered using zinc-finger nucleases, single-nucleotide changes occur frequently near sites of structural alterations. We present evidence that structural alteration induces single-nucleotide changes in nearby regions and discuss possible molecular mechanisms that contribute to this phenomenon. We propose that the low fidelity of nonreplicative error-prone repair polymerases, which are used during insertion or deletion, result in break-repair-induced single-nucleotide mutations in the vicinity of structural alteration. Thus, in the mutational landscape, structural alterations are linked to single-nucleotide changes across different time scales in both somatic- and germ-cell lineages. We discuss implications for genome evolution, GWAS, disease genomics, and gene therapy and emphasize the need to investigate both types of mutations within a single framework.

Increased mutagenesis and unique mutation signature associated with mitotic gene conversion

To examine the fidelity of DNA synthesis during double-strand break (DSB) repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae we studied gene conversion in which both strands of DNA are newly synthesized. The mutation rate increases up to 1400 times over spontaneous events, with a significantly different mutation signature. Especially prominent are microhomology-mediated template switches. Recombination-induced mutations are largely independent of mismatch repair, by DNA polymerases Polzeta, Poleta, and Pol32, but result from errors made by Poldelta and Polepsilon. These observations suggest that increased DSB frequencies in oncogene-activated mammalian cells may also increase the probability of acquiring mutations required for transition to a cancerous state.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mec1, tel1, and mre11 mutations on spontaneous and methylmethane sulfonate-induced genome instability

In eukaryotes, together with the Mre11/Rad50/Xrs2 (or Nbs1) complex, a family of related protein kinases (the ATM family) is involved in checkpoint activation in response to DNA double-strand breaks. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two members of this family, MEC1 and TEL1, have functionally redundant roles in DNA damage repair. Strains with mutations in their mec1 as well as mre11 genes are very sensitive to DNA damaging agents, show defective induction of damage-induced cell-cycle checkpoints, and defective damage-induced homologous recombination. However, the fact that both the mec1Delta and mre11Delta strains exhibit the spontaneous hyper-recombination phenotype is paradoxical in light of the homologous recombination defects in these strains. In this study, we constructed yeast mec1, tel1, and mre11 null mutations and characterized their genome stability properties. Spontaneous and methylmethane sulfonate (MMS)-induced point mutations, base-substitutions, and frameshifts occurred to an almost equal extent in the wild-type, mec1Delta, tel1Delta, and mre11Delta strains. Thus, Mec1, Tel1, and Mre11 do not play roles in the point mutation response. We then found that the mec1Delta, mre11Delta, and mec1Delta tel1Delta strains demonstrated increased rates of spontaneous loss of heterozygosity (LOH), which includes crossover, gene conversion, and chromosome loss, compared with the wild-type strain. In the tel1Delta strain, the rate of spontaneous LOH was as low as that in the wild-type strain. Finally, no induction of LOH by MMS was observed in the mec1Delta, mre11Delta, or mec1Delta tel1Delta strain; however, it was detected in the wild-type and tel1Delta strains upon exposure to MMS. The elevated level of spontaneous LOH but not MMS-induced LOH in the mec1Delta, mre11Delta, and mec1Delta tel1Delta strains suggests the presence of high levels of spontaneous recombinogenic DNA damage, which differs from the damage induced by MMS treatment, in these strains.

Loss of DNA polymerase zeta enhances spontaneous tumorigenesis

Mammalian genomes encode at least 15 distinct DNA polymerases, functioning as specialists in DNA replication, DNA repair, recombination, or bypass of DNA damage. Although the DNA polymerase zeta (polzeta) catalytic subunit REV3L is important in defense against genotoxins, little is known of its biological function. This is because REV3L is essential during embryogenesis, unlike other translesion DNA polymerases. Outstanding questions include whether any adult cells are viable in the absence of polzeta and whether polzeta status influences tumorigenesis. REV3L-deficient cells have properties that could influence the development of neoplasia in opposing ways: markedly reduced damage-induced point mutagenesis and extensive chromosome instability. To answer these questions, Rev3L was conditionally deleted from tissues of adult mice using MMTV-Cre. Loss of REV3L was tolerated in epithelial tissues but not in the hematopoietic lineage. Thymic lymphomas in Tp53(-/-) Rev3L conditional mice occurred with decreased latency and higher incidence. The lymphomas were populated predominantly by Rev3L-null T cells, showing that loss of Rev3L can promote tumorigenesis. Remarkably, the tumors were frequently oligoclonal, consistent with accelerated genetic changes in the absence of Rev3L. Mammary tumors could also arise from Rev3L-deleted cells in both Tp53(+/+) and Tp53(+/-) backgrounds. Mammary tumors in Tp53(+/-) mice deleting Rev3L formed months earlier than mammary tumors in Tp53(+/-) control mice. Prominent preneoplastic changes in glandular tissue adjacent to these tumors occurred only in mice deleting Rev3L and were associated with increased tumor multiplicity. Polzeta is the only specialized DNA polymerase yet identified that inhibits spontaneous tumor development.

Participation of DNA polymerase zeta in replication of undamaged DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Translesion synthesis DNA polymerases contribute to DNA damage tolerance by mediating replication of damaged templates. Due to the low fidelity of these enzymes, lesion bypass is often mutagenic. We have previously shown that, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the contribution of the error-prone DNA polymerase zeta (Polzeta) to replication and mutagenesis is greatly enhanced if the normal replisome is defective due to mutations in replication genes. Here we present evidence that this defective-replisome-induced mutagenesis (DRIM) results from the participation of Polzeta in the copying of undamaged DNA rather than from mutagenic lesion bypass. First, DRIM is not elevated in strains that have a high level of endogenous DNA lesions due to defects in nucleotide excision repair or base excision repair pathways. Second, DRIM remains unchanged when the level of endogenous oxidative DNA damage is decreased by using anaerobic growth conditions. Third, analysis of the spectrum of mutations occurring during DRIM reveals the characteristic error signature seen during replication of undamaged DNA by Polzeta in vitro. These results extend earlier findings in Escherichia coli indicating that Y-family DNA polymerases can contribute to the copying of undamaged DNA. We also show that exposure of wild-type yeast cells to the replication inhibitor hydroxyurea causes a Polzeta-dependent increase in mutagenesis. This suggests that DRIM represents a response to replication impediment per se rather than to specific defects in the replisome components.

Understanding what determines the frequency and pattern of human germline mutations

Surprising findings about human germline mutation have come from applying new technologies to detect rare mutations in germline DNA, from analysing DNA sequence divergence between humans and closely related species, and from investigating human polymorphic variation. In this Review we discuss how these approaches affect our current understanding of the roles of sex, age, mutation hot spots, germline selection and genomic factors in determining human nucleotide substitution mutation patterns and frequencies. To enhance our understanding of mutation and disease, more extensive molecular data on the human germ line with regard to mutation origin, DNA repair, epigenetic status and the effect of newly arisen mutations on gamete development are needed.