DNA Polymerase ε Catalytic Domains Are Dispensable for DNA Replication, DNA Repair, and Cell Viability

• Published in: Molecular cell Vol. 3; no. 5; pp. 679 - 685
• Main Authors: Kesti, Tapio, Flick, Karin, Keränen, Sirkka, Syväoja, Juhani E, Wittenberg, Curt
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-05-1999
• Subjects: Alleles; Catalytic Domain; DNA Polymerase II - chemistry; DNA Polymerase II - metabolism; DNA Repair; DNA Replication; DNA, Fungal - analysis; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Mutagenesis - physiology; Promoter Regions, Genetic - physiology; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Yeasts - cytology; Yeasts - enzymology; Yeasts - genetics
• ISSN: 1097-2765; 1097-4164
• DOI: 10.1016/S1097-2765(00)80361-5

DNA polymerase ε (Pol ε) is believed to play an essential catalytic role during eukaryotic DNA replication and is thought to participate in recombination and DNA repair. That Pol ε is essential for progression through S phase and for viability in budding and fission yeasts is a central element of support for that view. We show that the amino-terminal portion of budding yeast Pol ε (Pol2) containing all known DNA polymerase and exonuclease motifs is dispensable for DNA replication, DNA repair, and viability. However, the carboxy-terminal portion of Pol2 is both necessary and sufficient for viability. Finally, the viability of cells lacking Pol2 catalytic function does not require intact DNA replication or damage checkpoints.