Is there a link between DNA polymerase β and cancer?

Daniela Starcevic, Shibani Dalal, Joann B. Sweasy

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

225 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent small-scale studies have shown that 30% of human tumors examined to date express DNA polymerase beta variant proteins. One of the DNA polymerase beta colon cancer-associated mutants, K289M, has been shown to synthesize DNA with a lower fidelity than wild-type Pol β. Thus, the K289M protein could confer a mutator phenotype to the cell, resulting in genomic instability. Another DNA polymerase beta variant identified in colon carcinoma interferes with base excision repair in cells. This may result in unfilled gaps which can serve as substrates for recombination and result in genomic instability. DNA polymerase beta has also been shown to be overexpressed in a variety of tumors. In some cases, overexpression of polymerase beta in cells confers a transformed phenotype to the cells. In other cases, overexpression results in telomere fusions. Thus, mutant forms or aberrant quantities of polymerase beta confer a mutator phenotype to cells. Combined with the small-scale tumor studies, these mechanistic studies implicate variant forms of DNA polymerase beta in the etiology of human cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)998-1001
Number of pages4
JournalCell Cycle
Volume3
Issue number8
StatePublished - Aug 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Base excision repair
  • Cancer
  • DNA polymerase β
  • Mutagenesis
  • Telomeres

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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