Properties of an xeroderma pigmentosum revertant cell line expressing endonuclease V

We have developed a set of cell lines to help distinguish the sequelae of specific lesions in DNA after UV irradiation. Irradiation results in two primary lesions: cyclobutane dimers and pyrimidine-pyrimidone (6-4) photoproducts. The contributions of each to mutation are considered utilizing a spectrum of cell lines with increasing abilities to repair these lesions. In particular, we focus on a revertant of the XP12Ro(M1) cell line from a patient with Xeroderma pigmentosum, XP129, which is capable of repairing (6-4) photoproducts but not cyclobutane dimers. We have successfully introduced the denV gene into these cells which confers the ability to repair cyclobutane dimers. By comparing the results of a shuttle vector mutation experiment with the vector pZ189, we can correlate specific mutations to specific lesions.