Mutate Or Die: New Polymerase Gives Desperate Yeast...( bears the markings of a zeta polymerase...)

"If this does work the same way in humans, then it's conceivable that some day we could inhibit this enzyme in people prone to mutations, such as those receiving chemotherapy or people with a genetic history of cancer," says Hinkle.

The team performed the study by using ultraviolet light to intentionally cause a well-placed defect, or lesion, in DNA. The defect is a thymine-thymine dimer, a very common and well studied lesion created when sunlight hits an organism, causing two bases to link up unnaturally. The abnormality almost always stops other polymerases dead in their tracks, but zeta went past the dimer about 10 percent of the time.

"Ultraviolet damage to DNA is the process that leads to skin cancer," says Nelson. "Sunlight is always causing DNA damage, and humans have a good system for fixing it. But when there's a lot of damage, the repair system is just overwhelmed, and the body tries other ways to cope. This zeta polymerase is one such last- ditch effort."

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Contact: Tom Rickey
trickey@admin.rochester.edu
716-275-7954
University of Rochester
14-Jun-1996