A mutation of the yeast gene encoding PCNA destabilizes both microsatellite and minisatellite DNA sequences

Genetics. 1999 Feb;151(2):511-9. doi: 10.1093/genetics/151.2.511.

Abstract

The POL30 gene of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a protein required for processive DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase delta and epsilon. We examined the effects of the pol30-52 mutation on the stability of microsatellite (1- to 8-bp repeat units) and minisatellite (20-bp repeat units) DNA sequences. It had previously been shown that this mutation destabilizes dinucleotide repeats 150-fold and that this effect is primarily due to defects in DNA mismatch repair. From our analysis of the effects of pol30-52 on classes of repetitive DNA with longer repeat unit lengths, we conclude that this mutation may also elevate the rate of DNA polymerase slippage. The effect of pol30-52 on tracts of repetitive DNA with large repeat unit lengths was similar, but not identical, to that observed previously for pol3-t, a temperature-sensitive mutation affecting DNA polymerase delta. Strains with both pol30-52 and pol3-t mutations grew extremely slowly and had minisatellite mutation rates considerably greater than those observed in either single mutant strain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics*
  • DNA, Satellite / genetics
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Mutation*
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Satellite
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen