Human DNA polymerase θ grasps the primer terminus to mediate DNA repair

DNA Polymerase θ: A Unique Multifunctional End-Joining Machine

The gene encoding DNA polymerase θ (Polθ) was discovered over ten years ago as having a role in suppressing genome instability in mammalian cells. Studies have now clearly documented an essential function for this unique A-family polymerase in the double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway alternative end-joining (alt-EJ), also known as microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ), in metazoans. Biochemical and cellular studies show that Polθ exhibits a unique ability to perform alt-EJ and during this process the polymerase generates insertion mutations due to its robust terminal transferase activity which involves template-dependent and independent modes of DNA synthesis. Intriguingly, the POLQ gene also encodes for a conserved superfamily 2 Hel308-type ATP-dependent helicase domain which likely assists in alt-EJ and was reported to suppress homologous recombination (HR) via its anti-recombinase activity. Here, we review our current knowledge of Polθ-mediated end-joining, the specific activities of the polymerase and helicase domains, and put into perspective how this multifunctional enzyme promotes alt-EJ repair of DSBs formed during S and G2 cell cycle phases.

Essential Roles for Polymerase θ-Mediated End Joining in the Repair of Chromosome Breaks

DNA polymerase theta (Pol θ)-mediated end joining (TMEJ) has been implicated in the repair of chromosome breaks, but its cellular mechanism and role relative to canonical repair pathways are poorly understood. We show that it accounts for most repairs associated with microhomologies and is made efficient by coupling a microhomology search to removal of non-homologous tails and microhomology-primed synthesis across broken ends. In contrast to non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), TMEJ efficiently repairs end structures expected after aborted homology-directed repair (5' to 3' resected ends) or replication fork collapse. It typically does not compete with canonical repair pathways but, in NHEJ-deficient cells, is engaged more frequently and protects against translocation. Cell viability is also severely impaired upon combined deficiency in Pol θ and a factor that antagonizes end resection (Ku or 53BP1). TMEJ thus helps to sustain cell viability and genome stability by rescuing chromosome break repair when resection is misregulated or NHEJ is compromised.

DNA polymerase θ (POLQ), double-strand break repair, and cancer

DNA polymerase theta (pol θ) is encoded in the genomes of many eukaryotes, though not in fungi. Pol θ is encoded by the POLQ gene in mammalian cells. The C-terminal third of the protein is a family A DNA polymerase with additional insertion elements relative to prokaryotic homologs. The N-terminal third is a helicase-like domain with DNA-dependent ATPase activity. Pol θ is important in the repair of genomic double-strand breaks (DSBs) from many sources. These include breaks formed by ionizing radiation and topoisomerase inhibitors, breaks arising at stalled DNA replication forks, breaks introduced during diversification steps of the mammalian immune system, and DSB induced by CRISPR-Cas9. Pol θ participates in a route of DSB repair termed "alternative end-joining" (altEJ). AltEJ is independent of the DNA binding Ku protein complex and requires DNA end resection. Pol θ is able to mediate joining of two resected 3' ends harboring DNA sequence microhomology. "Signatures" of Pol θ action during altEJ are the frequent utilization of longer microhomologies, and the insertion of additional sequences at joining sites. The mechanism of end-joining employs the ability of Pol θ to tightly grasp a 3' terminus through unique contacts in the active site, allowing extension from minimally paired primers. Pol θ is involved in controlling the frequency of chromosome translocations and preserves genome integrity by limiting large deletions. It may also play a backup role in DNA base excision repair. POLQ is a member of a cluster of similarly upregulated genes that are strongly correlated with poor clinical outcome for breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other cancer types. Inhibition of pol θ is a compelling approach for combination therapy of radiosensitization.

Crystal Structure of the Apicoplast DNA Polymerase from Plasmodium falciparum: The First Look at a Plastidic A-Family DNA Polymerase

Plasmodium falciparum, the primary cause of malaria, contains a non-photosynthetic plastid called the apicoplast. The apicoplast exists in most members of the phylum Apicomplexa and has its own genome along with organelle-specific enzymes for its replication. The only DNA polymerase found in the apicoplast (apPOL) was putatively acquired through horizontal gene transfer from a bacteriophage and is classified as an atypical A-family polymerase. Here, we present its crystal structure at a resolution of 2.9Å. P. falciparum apPOL, the first structural representative of a plastidic A-family polymerase, diverges from typical A-family members in two of three previously identified signature motifs and in a region not implicated by sequence. Moreover, apPOL has an additional N-terminal subdomain, the absence of which severely diminishes its 3' to 5' exonuclease activity. A compound known to be toxic to Plasmodium is a potent inhibitor of apPOL, suggesting that apPOL is a viable drug target. The structure provides new insights into the structural diversity of A-family polymerases and may facilitate structurally guided antimalarial drug design.

Regulation of Single-Strand Annealing and its Role in Genome Maintenance

Single-strand annealing (SSA) is a DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway that uses homologous repeats to bridge DSB ends. SSA involving repeats that flank a single DSB causes a deletion rearrangement between the repeats, and hence is relatively mutagenic. Nevertheless, this pathway is conserved, in that SSA events have been found in several organisms. In this review, we describe the mechanism of SSA and its regulation, including the cellular conditions that may favor SSA versus other DSB repair events. We will also evaluate the potential contribution of SSA to cancer-associated genome rearrangements, and to DSB-induced gene targeting.

Polymerase θ is a robust terminal transferase that oscillates between three different mechanisms during end-joining

DNA polymerase θ (Polθ) promotes insertion mutations during alternative end-joining (alt-EJ) by an unknown mechanism. Here, we discover that mammalian Polθ transfers nucleotides to the 3' terminus of DNA during alt-EJ in vitro and in vivo by oscillating between three different modes of terminal transferase activity: non-templated extension, templated extension in cis, and templated extension in trans. This switching mechanism requires manganese as a co-factor for Polθ template-independent activity and allows for random combinations of templated and non-templated nucleotide insertions. We further find that Polθ terminal transferase activity is most efficient on DNA containing 3' overhangs, is facilitated by an insertion loop and conserved residues that hold the 3' primer terminus, and is surprisingly more proficient than terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. In summary, this report identifies an unprecedented switching mechanism used by Polθ to generate genetic diversity during alt-EJ and characterizes Polθ as among the most proficient terminal transferases known.

Linking DNA polymerase theta structure and function in health and disease

DNA polymerase theta (Pol θ) is an error-prone A-family polymerase that is highly conserved among multicellular eukaryotes and plays multiple roles in DNA repair and the regulation of genome integrity. Studies conducted in several model organisms have shown that Pol θ can be utilized during DNA interstrand crosslink repair and during alternative end-joining repair of double-strand breaks. Recent genetic and biochemical studies have begun to elucidate the unique structural features of Pol θ that promote alternative end-joining repair. Importantly, Pol θ-dependent end joining appears to be important for overall genome stability, as it affects chromosome translocation formation in murine and human cell lines. Pol θ has also been suggested to act as a modifier of replication timing in human cells, though the mechanism of action remains unknown. Pol θ is highly upregulated in a number of human cancer types, which could indicate that mutagenic Pol θ-dependent end joining is used during cancer cell proliferation. Here, we review the various roles of Pol θ across species and discuss how these roles may be relevant to cancer therapy.

Error-Prone Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks

Preserving the integrity of the DNA double helix is crucial for the maintenance of genomic stability. Therefore, DNA double-strand breaks represent a serious threat to cells. In this review, we describe the two major strategies used to repair double strand breaks: non-homologous end joining and homologous recombination, emphasizing the mutagenic aspects of each. We focus on emerging evidence that homologous recombination, long thought to be an error-free repair process, can in fact be highly mutagenic, particularly in contexts requiring large amounts of DNA synthesis. Recent investigations have begun to illuminate the molecular mechanisms by which error-prone double-strand break repair can create major genomic changes, such as translocations and complex chromosome rearrangements. We highlight these studies and discuss proposed models that may explain some of the more extreme genetic changes observed in human cancers and congenital disorders.

Structure of the Helicase Domain of DNA Polymerase Theta Reveals a Possible Role in the Microhomology-Mediated End-Joining Pathway

DNA polymerase theta (Polθ) has been identified as a crucial alternative non-homologous end-joining factor in mammalian cells. Polθ is upregulated in a range of cancer cell types defective in homologous recombination, and knockdown has been shown to inhibit cell survival in a subset of these, making it an attractive target for cancer treatment. We present crystal structures of the helicase domain of human Polθ in the presence and absence of bound nucleotides, and a characterization of its DNA-binding and DNA-stimulated ATPase activities. Comparisons with related helicases from the Hel308 family identify several unique features. Polθ exists as a tetramer both in the crystals and in solution. We propose a model for DNA binding to the Polθ helicase domain in the context of the Polθ tetramer, which suggests a role for the helicase domain in strand annealing of DNA templates for subsequent processing by the polymerase domain.

Mutagenic consequences of a single G-quadruplex demonstrate mitotic inheritance of DNA replication fork barriers

Faithful DNA replication is vital to prevent disease-causing mutations, chromosomal aberrations and malignant transformation. However, accuracy conflicts with pace and flexibility and cells rely on specialized polymerases and helicases to ensure effective and timely replication of genomes that contain DNA lesions or secondary structures. If and how cells can tolerate a permanent barrier to replication is, however, unknown. Here we show that a single unresolved G-quadruplexed DNA structure can persist through multiple mitotic divisions without changing conformation. Failed replication across a G-quadruplex causes single-strand DNA gaps that give rise to DNA double-strand breaks in subsequent cell divisions, which are processed by polymerase theta (POLQ)-mediated alternative end joining. Lineage tracing experiments further reveal that persistent G-quadruplexes cause genetic heterogeneity during organ development. Our data demonstrate that a single lesion can cause multiple unique genomic rearrangements, and that alternative end joining enables cells to proliferate in the presence of mitotically inherited replication blocks.

Microhomology-Mediated End Joining: A Back-up Survival Mechanism or Dedicated Pathway?

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) disrupt the continuity of chromosomes and their repair by error-free mechanisms is essential to preserve genome integrity. Microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) is an error-prone repair mechanism that involves alignment of microhomologous sequences internal to the broken ends before joining, and is associated with deletions and insertions that mark the original break site, as well as chromosome translocations. Whether MMEJ has a physiological role or is simply a back-up repair mechanism is a matter of debate. Here we review recent findings pertaining to the mechanism of MMEJ and discuss its role in normal and cancer cells.

Repair Pathway Choices and Consequences at the Double-Strand Break

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are cytotoxic lesions that threaten genomic integrity. Failure to repair a DSB has deleterious consequences, including genomic instability and cell death. Indeed, misrepair of DSBs can lead to inappropriate end-joining events, which commonly underlie oncogenic transformation due to chromosomal translocations. Typically, cells employ two main mechanisms to repair DSBs: homologous recombination (HR) and classical nonhomologous end joining (C-NHEJ). In addition, alternative error-prone DSB repair pathways, namely alternative end joining (alt-EJ) and single-strand annealing (SSA), have been recently shown to operate in many different conditions and to contribute to genome rearrangements and oncogenic transformation. Here, we review the mechanisms regulating DSB repair pathway choice, together with the potential interconnections between HR and the annealing-dependent error-prone DSB repair pathways.

Structures of human DNA polymerases ν and θ expose their end game

Although the two B-family human DNA polymerases, pol δ and pol ε, are responsible for the bulk of nuclear genome replication, at least 14 additional polymerases have roles in nuclear DNA repair and replication. In this issue, newly reported crystal structures of two specialized A-family polymerases, pol δ and pol ε, expose these enzymes’ strategies for handling aberrant DNA ends.