RNA-splicing factor SART3 regulates translesion DNA synthesis

Nucleic Acids Res. 2018 May 18;46(9):4560-4574. doi: 10.1093/nar/gky220.

Abstract

Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) is one mode of DNA damage tolerance that uses specialized DNA polymerases to replicate damaged DNA. DNA polymerase η (Polη) is well known to facilitate TLS across ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and mutations in POLH are implicated in skin carcinogenesis. However, the basis for recruitment of Polη to stalled replication forks is not completely understood. In this study, we used an affinity purification approach to isolate a Polη-containing complex and have identified SART3, a pre-mRNA splicing factor, as a critical regulator to modulate the recruitment of Polη and its partner RAD18 after UV exposure. We show that SART3 interacts with Polη and RAD18 via its C-terminus. Moreover, SART3 can form homodimers to promote the Polη/RAD18 interaction and PCNA monoubiquitination, a key event in TLS. Depletion of SART3 also impairs UV-induced single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) generation and RPA focus formation, resulting in an impaired Polη recruitment and a higher mutation frequency and hypersensitivity after UV treatment. Notably, we found that several SART3 missense mutations in cancer samples lessen its stimulatory effect on PCNA monoubiquitination. Collectively, our findings establish SART3 as a novel Polη/RAD18 association regulator that protects cells from UV-induced DNA damage, which functions in a RNA binding-independent fashion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / chemistry
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • DNA / biosynthesis*
  • DNA Damage*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / metabolism
  • Protein Multimerization
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Replication Protein A / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • RAD18 protein, human
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Replication Protein A
  • SART3 protein, human
  • DNA
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
  • Rad30 protein