DNA polymerase κ-dependent DNA synthesis at stalled replication forks is important for CHK1 activation

Biochemical characterization of eight genetic variants of human DNA polymerase κ involved in error-free bypass across bulky N(2)-guanyl DNA adducts

DNA polymerase (pol) κ, one of the Y-family polymerases, has been shown to function in error-free translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) opposite the bulky N(2)-guanyl DNA lesions induced by many carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. We analyzed the biochemical properties of eight reported human pol κ variants positioned in the polymerase core domain, using the recombinant pol κ (residues 1-526) protein and the DNA template containing an N(2)-CH2(9-anthracenyl)G (N(2)-AnthG). The truncation R219X was devoid of polymerase activity, and the E419G and Y432S variants showed much lower polymerase activity than wild-type pol κ. In steady-state kinetic analyses, E419G and Y432S displayed 20- to 34-fold decreases in kcat/Km for dCTP insertion opposite G and N(2)-AnthG compared to that of wild-type pol κ. The L21F, I39T, and D189G variants, as well as E419G and Y432S, displayed 6- to 22-fold decreases in kcat/Km for next-base extension from C paired with N(2)-AnthG, compared to that of wild-type pol κ. The defective Y432S variant had 4- to 5-fold lower DNA-binding affinity than wild-type, while a slightly more efficient S423R variant possessed 2- to 3-fold higher DNA-binding affinity. These results suggest that R219X abolishes and the E419G, Y432S, L21F, I39T, and D189G variations substantially impair the TLS ability of pol κ opposite bulky N(2)-G lesions in the insertion step opposite the lesion and/or the subsequent extension step, raising the possibility that certain nonsynonymous pol κ genetic variations translate into individual differences in susceptibility to genotoxic carcinogens.

Molecular mechanisms of DNA replication checkpoint activation

The major challenge of the cell cycle is to deliver an intact, and fully duplicated, genetic material to the daughter cells. To this end, progression of DNA synthesis is monitored by a feedback mechanism known as replication checkpoint that is untimely linked to DNA replication. This signaling pathway ensures coordination of DNA synthesis with cell cycle progression. Failure to activate this checkpoint in response to perturbation of DNA synthesis (replication stress) results in forced cell division leading to chromosome fragmentation, aneuploidy, and genomic instability. In this review, we will describe current knowledge of the molecular determinants of the DNA replication checkpoint in eukaryotic cells and discuss a model of activation of this signaling pathway crucial for maintenance of genomic stability.

PrimPol bypasses UV photoproducts during eukaryotic chromosomal DNA replication

DNA damage can stall the DNA replication machinery, leading to genomic instability. Thus, numerous mechanisms exist to complete genome duplication in the absence of a pristine DNA template, but identification of the enzymes involved remains incomplete. Here, we establish that Primase-Polymerase (PrimPol; CCDC111), an archaeal-eukaryotic primase (AEP) in eukaryotic cells, is involved in chromosomal DNA replication. PrimPol is required for replication fork progression on ultraviolet (UV) light-damaged DNA templates, possibly mediated by its ability to catalyze translesion synthesis (TLS) of these lesions. This PrimPol UV lesion bypass pathway is not epistatic with the Pol η-dependent pathway and, as a consequence, protects xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XP-V) patient cells from UV-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, we establish that PrimPol is also required for efficient replication fork progression during an unperturbed S phase. These and other findings indicate that PrimPol is an important player in replication fork progression in eukaryotic cells.

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PrimPol is a DNA primase-polymerase catalyzing bypass of UV and oxidative lesions

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PrimPol operates in a UV lesion tolerance pathway that is non-epistatic with Pol η

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PrimPol null cells are defective in fork progression, particularly after UV treatment

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Loss of PrimPol leads to increased mitotic chromosomal breaks