抄録
Translesion DNA synthesis is a cellular response to the DNA damage. This biological function is essential for the maintenance of chromosomal integrity as well as the DNA repair function. It has been suggested that functions of the REV genes are required for error-prone post-replication repair, essential for induction of mutations and prevention of cell death caused by ionizing radiation. REV1 is the deoxycytidyl transferase and a member of the Y-family DNA polymerase. The activity is capable of extending a primer terminus by insertion of dCMP opposite a variety of damaged bases. REV3 and REV7 encode an error-prone DNA polymerase, pol ζ. Genetic data suggest that those proteins form specialized machinery for translesion DNA synthesis.
To elucidate molecular mechanisms of the induced mutagenesis in humans, we have purified the recombinant proteins and demonstrated that the REV1 is the deoxycytidyl transferase and forms a stable heterodimer with REV7. Recently, it has been found that the REV1 interacts with all of the Y-family DNA polymerases, pol η, pol ι, pol κ, suggesting the central role of REV1 in the translesion DNA synthesis. In this symposium, we present the biochemical property of the REV1 protein and discuss the molecular roles in the translesion DNA replication.
