Structure and mechanism of human DNA polymerase eta

Nature. 2010 Jun 24;465(7301):1044-8. doi: 10.1038/nature09196.

Abstract

The variant form of the human syndrome xeroderma pigmentosum (XPV) is caused by a deficiency in DNA polymerase eta (Poleta), a DNA polymerase that enables replication through ultraviolet-induced pyrimidine dimers. Here we report high-resolution crystal structures of human Poleta at four consecutive steps during DNA synthesis through cis-syn cyclobutane thymine dimers. Poleta acts like a 'molecular splint' to stabilize damaged DNA in a normal B-form conformation. An enlarged active site accommodates the thymine dimer with excellent stereochemistry for two-metal ion catalysis. Two residues conserved among Poleta orthologues form specific hydrogen bonds with the lesion and the incoming nucleotide to assist translesion synthesis. On the basis of the structures, eight Poleta missense mutations causing XPV can be rationalized as undermining the molecular splint or perturbing the active-site alignment. The structures also provide an insight into the role of Poleta in replicating through D loop and DNA fragile sites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Biocatalysis
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / chemistry*
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation, Missense / genetics
  • Pyrimidine Dimers / genetics
  • Pyrimidine Dimers / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Xeroderma Pigmentosum / enzymology
  • Xeroderma Pigmentosum / genetics

Substances

  • Pyrimidine Dimers
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • DNA
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
  • Rad30 protein

Associated data

  • PDB/3MR2
  • PDB/3MR3
  • PDB/3MR4
  • PDB/3MR5
  • PDB/3MR6