Abstract
Translesion DNA synthesis is essential for the maintenance of chromosomal integrity as well as the DNA repair function. It has been suggested that functions of REV genes are required for translesion DNA synthesis, essential for induction of mutations and prevention of cell death caused by ionizing radiation. 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. We have demonstrated that human REV1 forms a stable heterodimer with REV7. Recently, it has been found that REV1 interacts with all of the Y-family DNA polymerases, pol η, ι and κ. These results suggested the central role of REV1 in the translesion DNA synthesis. In this report, we focused on the deoxycytidyl transferase activity of REV1, since the novel activity has been maintained throughout eukaryotic evolution, implying a contribution to survival.
