Cited by 226DNA Repair MechanismsMitochondrial Function and PathologyEnzyme Structure and Function

The Mitochondrial p55 Accessory Subunit of Human DNA Polymerase γ Enhances DNA Binding, Promotes Processive DNA Synthesis, and Confers N-Ethylmaleimide Resistance

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Lim, Susan E., Longley, Matthew J., Copeland, William C.·1999·Journal of Biological Chemistry

Abstract

Human DNA polymerase gamma is composed of a 140-kDa catalytic subunit and a smaller accessory protein variously reported to be 43-54 kDa. Immunoblot analysis of the purified, heterodimeric native human polymerase gamma complex identified the accessory subunit as 55 kDa. We isolated the full-length cDNA encoding a 55-kDa polypeptide, expressed the cDNA in Escherichia coli and purified the 55-kDa protein to homogeneity. Recombinant Hp55 forms a high affinity, salt-stable complex with Hp140 during protein affinity chromatography. Immunoprecipitation, gel filtration, and sedimentation analyses revealed a 190-kDa complex indicative of a native heterodimer. Reconstitution of Hp140.Hp55 raises the salt optimum of Hp140, stimulates the polymerase and exonuclease activities, and increases the processivity of the enzyme by several 100-fold. Similar to Hp140, isolated Hp55 binds DNA with moderate strength and was a specificity for double-stranded primer-template DNA. However, Hp140.Hp55 has a surprisingly high affinity for DNA, and kinetic analyses indicate Hp55 enhances the affinity of Hp140 for primer termini by 2 orders of magnitude. Thus the enhanced DNA binding caused by Hp55 is the basis for the salt tolerance and high processivity characteristic of DNA polymerase gamma. Observation of native DNA polymerase gamma both as an Hp140 monomer and as a heterodimer with Hp55 supports the notion that the two forms act in mitochondrial DNA repair and replication. Additionally, association of Hp55 with Hp140 protects the polymerase from inhibition by N-ethylmaleimide.

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Crossref · 10.1074/jbc.274.53.38197

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Authors
Lim, S. E., Longley, M. J., & Copeland, W. C.
Affiliations
National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Copeland, William C.
Venue
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1999-12
Volume
274
Issue
53
Pages
38197-38203
ISSN
0021-9258 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2001256046
Cited by
226
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 13
FWCI
2.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Biological Chemistry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › DNA Repair Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Enzyme Structure and Function
Keywords
DNA polymerase gamma, heterodimer, DNA binding, processivity, exonuclease activity, salt tolerance, mitochondrial DNA repair, mitochondrial DNA replication, recombinant protein purification
MeSH terms
DNA Polymerase gamma, Base Sequence, DNA, DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase, DNA Replication, Escherichia coli, Ethylmaleimide, Humans, Mitochondria, Molecular Sequence Data, Protein Binding, Recombinant Proteins, Sodium Chloride, DNA Primers, DNA, Complementary, Dimerization, Catalytic Domain

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