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Ribonucleotide reductase: regulation, regulation, regulation
S J Elledge1, Z Zhou, J B Allen
1Department of Biochemistry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) regulates DNA synthesis by controlling deoxyribonucleotide production. Its gene expression is tightly controlled by transcription, especially during DNA damage, to aid repair processes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is crucial for DNA synthesis, catalyzing a rate-limiting step.
- RNR comprises R1 (large subunit with regulatory sites) and R2 (small subunit with iron center and radical).
- Gene regulation of RNR occurs at the transcriptional level, in addition to allosteric regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transcriptional regulation of Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) subunits.
- To understand the role of RNR gene expression in response to DNA damage and cell cycle progression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mammalian and yeast RNR gene expression.
- Investigating cell-cycle regulation of RNR subunit mRNAs.
- Examining the induction of RNR genes by DNA damage in yeast.
Main Results:
- RNR mRNA levels are regulated by the cell cycle.
- In yeast, RNR genes are induced by DNA damage.
- Yeast possess a second RNR large subunit gene (RNR3) specifically expressed upon DNA damage.
Conclusions:
- RNR synthesis is tightly regulated at the transcriptional level.
- Cell-cycle and DNA-damage-induced RNR expression are critical for DNA metabolism.
- The RNR3 gene in yeast provides a specific response to DNA damage, facilitating repair.