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DNA polymerase delta is involved in the cellular response to UV damage in human cells
1Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33101.
Abstract:
We have used antibodies specific for either polymerase delta (pol delta) or its accessory protein, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), to demonstrate that they can markedly inhibit the capacity of HeLa nuclear extracts to effect repair of UV-damaged plasmid DNA. This provides the first unambiguous evidence for the involvement of pol delta in DNA repair synthesis. The mRNA levels of both pol delta and PCNA were significantly stimulated subsequent to UV irradiation of cultured cells, providing the first evidence that the cellular response to UV damage may involve regulation of pol delta and PCNA at the gene level. Thus, DNA polymerase delta and its accessory proteins, in addition to their function in replicative DNA synthesis, also function in DNA repair synthesis.
Insights
DNA polymerase delta (pol delta) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are crucial for DNA repair synthesis. Their gene expression increases after UV damage, indicating a role in cellular response to DNA damage.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- DNA polymerase delta (pol delta) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are known for their roles in DNA replication.
- The involvement of pol delta and PCNA in DNA repair pathways remains to be fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of DNA polymerase delta (pol delta) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in DNA repair synthesis.
- To determine if cellular responses to UV-induced DNA damage involve the regulation of pol delta and PCNA at the gene level.
Main Methods:
- Utilized antibodies specific to pol delta and PCNA to inhibit DNA repair in HeLa nuclear extracts.
- Analyzed mRNA levels of pol delta and PCNA in cultured cells following UV irradiation.
Main Results:
- Antibodies against pol delta and PCNA significantly inhibited UV-damaged plasmid DNA repair in HeLa nuclear extracts.
- UV irradiation of cultured cells led to a significant stimulation of mRNA levels for both pol delta and PCNA.
- This study provides the first unambiguous evidence for pol delta's involvement in DNA repair synthesis.
Conclusions:
- DNA polymerase delta and its accessory protein PCNA play a dual role, functioning in both replicative DNA synthesis and DNA repair synthesis.
- The cellular response to UV-induced DNA damage involves the regulation of pol delta and PCNA gene expression.