Abstract
We used quantitative complementation assays to characterize individual DNA polymeraseβ (Polβ) mutants for their ability to function in DNA replication and DNA repair. We also describe a screen for detecting imitator activity of DNA polymeraseβ mutants. By using these bioassays, together with DNA polymerase activity gels, we characterized 15 new DNA polymeraseβ mutants that display a wide spectrum of phenotypes. Most of these mutants are generally defective in their ability to synthesize DNA. However, two of our Polβ mutants show more complex phenotypes: they are able to function in DNA repair but unable to participate in DNA replication. One of our mutants displays imitator activity in vivo. Our work provides a model to study mutant mammalian enzymes inEscherichia coli with phenotypes that are otherwise difficult to assess.
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Communicated by R. Devoret
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Sweasy, J.B., Yoon, M.S. Characterization of DNA polymeraseβ mutants with amino acid substitutions located in the C-terminal portion of the enzyme. Molec. Gen. Genet. 248, 217–224 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02190803
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02190803