Roles of human POLD1 and POLD3 in genome stability

Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 15:6:38873. doi: 10.1038/srep38873.

Abstract

DNA replication is essential for cellular proliferation. If improperly controlled it can constitute a major source of genome instability, frequently associated with cancer and aging. POLD1 is the catalytic subunit and POLD3 is an accessory subunit of the replicative Pol δ polymerase, which also functions in DNA repair, as well as the translesion synthesis polymerase Pol ζ, whose catalytic subunit is REV3L. In cells depleted of POLD1 or POLD3 we found a differential but general increase in genome instability as manifested by DNA breaks, S-phase progression impairment and chromosome abnormalities. Importantly, we showed that both proteins are needed to maintain the proper amount of active replication origins and that POLD3-depletion causes anaphase bridges accumulation. In addition, POLD3-associated DNA damage showed to be dependent on RNA-DNA hybrids pointing toward an additional and specific role of this subunit in genome stability. Interestingly, a similar increase in RNA-DNA hybrids-dependent genome instability was observed in REV3L-depleted cells. Our findings demonstrate a key role of POLD1 and POLD3 in genome stability and S-phase progression revealing RNA-DNA hybrids-dependent effects for POLD3 that might be partly due to its Pol ζ interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA Breaks
  • DNA Polymerase III / genetics
  • DNA Polymerase III / metabolism*
  • DNA Replication*
  • Genomic Instability*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Nucleic Acid Heteroduplexes / genetics
  • Nucleic Acid Heteroduplexes / metabolism
  • S Phase*

Substances

  • Nucleic Acid Heteroduplexes
  • POLD1 protein, human
  • POLD3 protein, human
  • DNA Polymerase III