DNA polymerase I acts in translesion synthesis mediated by the Y-polymerases in Bacillus subtilis

Translesion synthesis (TLS) across damaged DNA bases is most often carried out by the ubiquitous error-prone DNA polymerases of the Y-family. Bacillus subtilis encodes two Y-polymerases, Pol Y1 and Pol Y2, that mediate TLS resulting in spontaneous and ultraviolet light (UV)-induced mutagenesis respectively. Here we show that TLS is a bipartite dual polymerase process in B. subtilis, involving not only the Y-polymerases but also the A-family polymerase, DNA polymerase I (Pol I). Both the spontaneous and the UV-induced mutagenesis are abolished in Pol I mutants affected solely in the polymerase catalytic site. Physical interactions between Pol I and either of the Pol Y polymerases, as well as formation of a ternary complex between Pol Y1, Pol I and the beta-clamp, were detected by yeast two- and three-hybrid assays, supporting the model of a functional coupling between the A- and Y-family polymerases in TLS. We suggest that the Pol Y carries the synthesis across the lesion, and Pol I takes over to extend the synthesis until the functional replisome resumes replication. This key role of Pol I in TLS uncovers a new function of the A-family DNA polymerases.