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The mutagenic effect of deoxynucleotide substrate imbalances during DNA synthesis with mammalian DNA polymerases

T A Kunkel, J R Silber, L A Loeb

    Mutation Research
    |June 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Altered deoxyribonucleotide substrate ratios during DNA synthesis can increase mutation rates. This study shows that imbalanced nucleotide pools decrease DNA synthesis fidelity, potentially causing mutations in mammalian cells.

    Area of Science:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Genetics
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • DNA synthesis fidelity is crucial for preventing mutations.
    • Eukaryotic DNA polymerases play a key role in DNA replication and repair.
    • Deoxyribonucleotide pool balance is essential for accurate DNA synthesis.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of deoxyribonucleotide substrate ratios on DNA synthesis fidelity.
    • To determine if altered nucleotide pools can induce mutations during in vitro DNA synthesis.
    • To explore the role of eukaryotic DNA polymerases in nucleotide pool-mediated mutagenesis.

    Main Methods:

    • In vitro DNA synthesis using phi X174 amber mutants.
    • Catalysis by eukaryotic DNA polymerase-alpha and DNA polymerase-beta.
    • Varying the relative ratios of deoxyribonucleotide substrates.
    • Analysis of reversion frequencies to wild-type.

    Main Results:

    • DNA synthesis fidelity varied 10- to 1000-fold based on deoxyribonucleotide ratios.
    • This effect was observed at multiple genomic loci and with different DNA polymerases.
    • The phenomenon was also detected using unfractionated cellular extracts.
    • Imbalanced nucleotide pools significantly influenced mutation frequency.

    Conclusions:

    • Altered deoxyribonucleotide pools decrease DNA synthesis fidelity.
    • This provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that imbalanced nucleotide pools cause mutations in mammalian cells.
    • The findings highlight the importance of maintaining balanced nucleotide pools for genomic stability.

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