Open AccessDNA double-strand-break sensitivity, DNA replication, and cell cycle arrest phenotypes of Ku-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Author(s) -
Georjana Barnes,
Donald C. Rio
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.94.3.867
Subject(s) - saccharomyces cerevisiae , dna replication , dna , genetics , biology , eukaryotic dna replication , dna repair , cell cycle checkpoint , cell cycle , control of chromosome duplication , phenotype , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , gene
In mammalian cells, the Ku heterodimer is involved in DNA double-strand-break recognition and repair. We have established in yeast a connection between Ku activity and DNA double-strand-break damage repair, and a connection between Ku activity and commitment to DNA replication. We generated double-stranded DNA breaks in yeast cellsin vivo by expressing a restriction endonuclease and have shown that yeast mutants lacking Ku p70 activity died while isogenic wild-type cells did not. Moreover, we have discovered that DNA damage occurs spontaneously during normal yeast mitotic growth, and that Ku functions in repair of this damage. We also observed that mitotically growing Ku p70 mutants have an anomalously high DNA content, suggesting a role for Ku in regulation of DNA synthesis. Finally, we present evidence that Ku p70 function is conserved between yeast,Drosophila , and humans.