Role In Translesion DNA Synthesis Research Articles

RAD18 O-GlcNAcylation promotes translesion DNA synthesis and homologous recombination repair

RAD18, an important ubiquitin E3 ligase, plays a dual role in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) and homologous recombination (HR) repair. However, whether and how the regulatory mechanism of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification governing RAD18 and its function during these processes remains unknown. Here, we report that human RAD18, can undergo O-GlcNAcylation at Ser130/Ser164/Thr468, which is important for optimal RAD18 accumulation at DNA damage sites. Mechanistically, abrogation of RAD18 O-GlcNAcylation limits CDC7-dependent RAD18 Ser434 phosphorylation, which in turn significantly reduces damage-induced PCNA monoubiquitination, impairs Polη focus formation and enhances UV sensitivity. Moreover, the ubiquitin and RAD51C binding ability of RAD18 at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is O-GlcNAcylation-dependent. O-GlcNAcylated RAD18 promotes the binding of RAD51 to damaged DNA during HR and decreases CPT hypersensitivity. Our findings demonstrate a novel role of RAD18 O-GlcNAcylation in TLS and HR regulation, establishing a new rationale to improve chemotherapeutic treatment.

The role of DNA polymerase ζ in benzo[a]pyrene-induced mutagenesis in the mouse lung.

DNA polymerase zeta (Polζ) is a heterotetramer composed of the catalytic subunit Rev3l, Rev7 and two subunits of Polδ (PolD2/Pol31 and PolD3/Pol32), and this polymerase exerts translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) in yeast. Because Rev3l knockout results in embryonic lethality in mice, the functions of Polζ need further investigation in vivo. Then, we noted the two facts that substitution of leucine 979 of yeast Rev3l with methionine reduces Polζ replication fidelity and that reporter gene transgenic rodents are able to provide the detailed mutation status. Here, we established gpt delta mouse knocked in the constructed gene encoding methionine instead of leucine at residue 2610 of Rev3l (Rev3l L2610M gpt delta mice), to clarify the role of Polζ in TLS of chemical-induced bulky DNA adducts in vivo. Eight-week-old gpt delta mice and Rev3l L2610M gpt delta mice were treated with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) at 0, 40, 80, or 160 mg/kg via single intraperitoneal injection. At necropsy 31 days after treatment, lungs were collected for reporter gene mutation assays. Although the gpt mutant frequency was significantly increased by BaP in both mouse genotypes, it was three times higher in Rev3l L2610M gpt delta than gpt delta mice after treatment with 160 mg/kg BaP. The frequencies of G:C base substitutions and characteristic complex mutations were significantly increased in Rev3l L2610M gpt delta mice compared with gpt delta mice. The BaP dose-response relationship suggested that Polζ plays a central role in TLS when protective mechanisms against BaP mutagenesis, such as error-free TLS, are saturated. Overall, Polζ may incorporate incorrect nucleotides at the sites opposite to BaP-modified guanines and extend short DNA sequences from the resultant terminal mismatches only when DNA is heavily damaged.

Structure and mechanism of B-family DNA polymerase ζ specialized for translesion DNA synthesis.

DNA polymerase ζ (Polζ) belongs to the same B-family as high-fidelity replicative polymerases, and yet is specialized for the extension reaction in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS). Despite its importance in TLS, the structure of Polζ is unknown. We present cryo-EM structures of S.cerevisiae Polζ holoenzyme in the act of DNA synthesis (3.1Å) and without DNA (4.1Å). Polζ displays a pentameric ring-like architecture, with catalytic Rev3 and accessory Pol31, Pol32 and two Rev7 subunits forming an uninterrupted daisy chain of protein-protein interactions. We also uncover the features that impose high fidelity during the nucleotide incorporation step and those that accommodate mismatches and lesions during the extension reaction. Collectively, we decrypt the molecular underpinnings of Polζ’s role in TLS and provide a framework for new cancer therapeutics.

DNA polymerase \u03b9 is acetylated in response to SN2 alkylating agents

DNA polymerase iota (Polι) belongs to the Y-family of DNA polymerases that are involved in DNA damage tolerance through their role in translesion DNA synthesis. Like all other Y-family polymerases, Polι interacts with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Rev1, ubiquitin and ubiquitinated-PCNA and is also ubiquitinated itself. Here, we report that Polι also interacts with the p300 acetyltransferase and is acetylated. The primary acetylation site is K550, located in the Rev1-interacting region. However, K550 amino acid substitutions have no effect on Polι’s ability to interact with Rev1. Interestingly, we find that acetylation of Polι significantly and specifically increases in response to SN2 alkylating agents and to a lower extent to SN1 alkylating and oxidative agents. As we have not observed acetylation of Polι’s closest paralogue, DNA polymerase eta (Polη), with which Polι shares many functional similarities, we believe that this modification might exclusively regulate yet to be determined, and separate function(s) of Polι.

Dynamic feature of mitotic arrest deficient 2–like protein 2 (MAD2L2) and structural basis for its interaction with chromosome alignment–maintaining phosphoprotein (CAMP)

Mitotic arrest deficient 2-like protein 2 (MAD2L2), also termed MAD2B or REV7, is involved in multiple cellular functions including translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), signal transduction, transcription, and mitotic events. MAD2L2 interacts with chromosome alignment-maintaining phosphoprotein (CAMP), a kinetochore-microtubule attachment protein in mitotic cells, presumably through a novel "WK" motif in CAMP. Structures of MAD2L2 in complex with binding regions of the TLS proteins REV3 and REV1 have revealed that MAD2L2 has two faces for protein-protein interactions that are regulated by its C-terminal region; however, the mechanisms underlying the MAD2L2-CAMP interaction and the mitotic role of MAD2L2 remain unknown. Here we have determined the structures of human MAD2L2 in complex with a CAMP fragment in two crystal forms. The overall structure of the MAD2L2-CAMP complex in both crystal forms was essentially similar to that of the MAD2L2-REV3 complex. However, the residue interactions between MAD2L2 and CAMP were strikingly different from those in the MAD2L2-REV3 complex. Furthermore, structure-based interaction analyses revealed an unprecedented mechanism involving CAMP's WK motif. Surprisingly, in one of the crystal forms, the MAD2L2-CAMP complex formed a dimeric structure in which the C-terminal region of MAD2L2 was swapped and adopted an immature structure. The structure provides direct evidence for the dynamic nature of MAD2L2 structure, which in turn may have implications for the protein-protein interaction mechanism and the multiple functions of this protein. This work is the first structural study of MAD2L2 aside from its role in TLS and might pave the way to clarify MAD2L2's function in mitosis.

Rev7, the regulatory subunit of Polζ, undergoes UV-induced and Cul4-dependent degradation.

In eukaryotic cells, Rev7 interacts with Rev3 and functions as a regulatory subunit of Polζ, a translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) polymerase. In addition to its role in TLS, mammalian Rev7, also known as Mad2B/Mad2L2, participates in multiple cellular activities including cell cycle progression and double-strand break repair through its interaction with several proteins. Here we show that in mammalian cells, Rev7 undergoes ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated degradation upon UV irradiation in a time-dependent manner. We identified the Rev7 N-terminal destruction box as the degron and Cul4A/B as putative E3 ligases in this process. We also show that the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway protein HR23B physically interacts and colocalizes with Rev7 in the nuclear foci after UV irradiation and protects Rev7 from accelerated degradation. Furthermore, a similar Rev7 degradation profile was observed in cells treated with the UV-mimetic agent 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide but not with cisplatin or camptothecin, suggesting a role of the NER pathway protein(s) in UV-induced Rev7 degradation. These data and the observation that cells deficient in Rev7 are sensitized to UV irradiation while excessive Rev7 protects cells from UV-induced DNA damage provide a new insight into the potential interplay between TLS and NER.

Involvement of budding yeast Rad5 in translesion DNA synthesis through physical interaction with Rev1.

DNA damage tolerance (DDT) is responsible for genomic stability and cell viability by bypassing the replication block. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae DDT employs two parallel branch pathways to bypass the DNA lesion, namely translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) and error-free lesion bypass, which are mediated by sequential modifications of PCNA. Rad5 has been placed in the error-free branch of DDT because it contains an E3 ligase domain required for PCNA polyubiquitination. Rad5 is a multi-functional protein and may also play a role in TLS, since it interacts with the TLS polymerase Rev1. In this study we mapped the Rev1-interaction domain in Rad5 to the amino acid resolution and demonstrated that Rad5 is indeed involved in TLS possibly through recruitment of Rev1. Genetic analyses show that the dual functions of Rad5 can be separated and reconstituted. Crystal structure analysis of the Rad5–Rev1 interaction reveals a consensus RFF motif in the Rad5 N-terminus that binds to a hydrophobic pocket within the C-terminal domain of Rev1 that is highly conserved in eukaryotes. This study indicates that Rad5 plays a critical role in pathway choice between TLS and error-free DDT.

REV3L modulates cisplatin sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer H1299 cells.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80-85% of all cases of lung cancer. Cisplatin plays a significant role in the management of human lung cancer. Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) is involved in DNA damage repair. DNA polymeraseζ (Polζ) is able to mediate the DNA replication bypass of DNA damage, which is suggested to be involved in chemoresistance. REV3L is the catalytic subunit of Polζ. Due to its critical role in translesion DNA synthesis, whether REV3L modulates cisplatin response in NSCLC cells remains unknown. In this study, REV3L overexpression and silencing H1299 cell lines were established. The reports showed that cisplatin induced the expression of REV3L by recruiting Sp1 to its promoter. Similar results were obtained when the ability of the cells to express luciferase from a platinated plasmid was measured. Co-transfection of the reporter with the REV3L overexpression vector or REV3L plus REV7L significantly enhanced the reporter activity. Nuclear condensation and fragmentation of shRNA-REV3L H1299 cells were more pronounced than shRNA-NC H1299 cells after cisplatin exposure, indicating that REV3L overexpression abolished cisplatin-induced DNA damage. Moreover, a forced expression of REV3L conferred the resistance of H1299 cells to cisplatin, whereas the knockdown of REV3L sensitized cisplatin efficacy in H1299 cells. Taken together, we demonstrated that inhibition of REV3L sensitized lung cancer H1299 cells to cisplatin treatment. Thus, REV3L may be a novel target for the chemotherapy of NSCLC.

DNA polymerase η is regulated by poly(rC)-binding protein 1 via mRNA stability.

POLH (DNA polymerase η), a target of p53 tumour suppressor, plays a key role in TLS (translesion DNA synthesis). Loss of POLH is responsible for the human cancer-prone syndrome XPV (xeroderma pigmentosum variant). Owing to its critical role in DNA repair and genome stability, POLH expression and activity are regulated by multiple pathways. In the present study, we found that the levels of both POLH transcript and protein were decreased upon knockdown of the transcript encoding PCBP1 [poly(rC)-binding protein 1]. We also found that the half-life of POLH mRNA was markedly decreased upon knockdown of PCBP1. Moreover, we found that PCBP1 directly bound to the POLH 3'-UTR and the PCBP1-binding site in POLH mRNA is an atypical AU-rich element. Finally, we showed that the AU-rich element in POLH 3'-UTR was responsive to PCBP1 and sufficient for PCBP1 to regulate POLH expression. Taken together, we uncovered a novel mechanism by which POLH expression is controlled by PCBP1 via mRNA stability.

Abstract 4893: USP7 modulates UV-induced PCNA monoubiquitylation by regulating DNA polymerase eta stability

Abstract DNA polymerase eta (Polη), a product of the Xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XPV) gene, plays a unique role in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS). It is a short-lived proteasomally degraded protein and its steady-state level is tightly controlled by multiple pathways. In this study, we have identified the deubiquitylating enzyme ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) as a novel regulator of Polη stability. Polη and USP7 interact in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of wild-type USP7, but not its interaction-defective and catalytic mutants, deubiquitylate Polη and increase its steady-state level. The data demonstrate that both physical interaction and catalytic activity of USP7 are necessary for Polη deubiquitylation and stability regulation. Interestingly, knockout of USP7 also increased the steady-state levels and slowed the turnover of both Polη and p53, which is likely caused by destabilizing MDM2, a targeting E3 ligase for ubiquitylation of both Polη and p53. Furthermore, ectopic expression of USP7 upregulated the UV-induced PCNA monoubiquitylation. In contrast, UV-induced PCNA monoubiquitylation was not observed in XPV cells ectopically expressing USP7. Taken together, our results demonstrated that USP7 facilitates UV-induced PCNA monoubiquitylation by directly and indirectly regulating Polη stability. (The work was supported by grants from NIH.) Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Jiang Qian, Qianzhen Zhu, Kyle Pentz, Jinshan He, Qien Wang, Altaf A. Wani. USP7 modulates UV-induced PCNA monoubiquitylation by regulating DNA polymerase eta stability. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4893. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4893

Abstract 5139: MOF cooperates with DNA polymerase eta to repair intrastrand break induced by crosslinking agents

Abstract The human MOF gene encodes a protein that specifically acetylates histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4K16ac). Reduced levels of H4K16ac correlate with a defective DNA damage response (DDR) and double-strand break (DSB) repair post ionizing radiation exposure. MOF overexpression increases cell survival to intrastrand crosslink inducing agents like cisplatin. DNA polymerase eta (Pol H), the product of the xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XPV) gene and a Y-family DNA polymerase, plays a pivotal role in translesion DNA synthesis and was found to interact with MOF. Its interaction with MOF increases in a dose dependent manner after exposure to intrastrand DNA damage induced by cisplatin. Pol H colocalized with phosphorylated MOF and γ-H2AX foci in cisplatin treated cells. Overexpression of MOF enhances recruitment of Pol H to laser induced DNA damage. This correlated with monoubiquitination of PCNA which has been shown to facilitate the switch between the replicative DNA polymerase with the low-fidelity polymerase eta to bypass UV or cisplatin-induced DNA lesions during replication. MOF was found to interact with PCNA and regulating the ubiquitination of PCNA thereby facilitating Pol H recruitment to DNA damage sites. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Mayank Singh, Arun Gupta, Komal Komal, Tej K. Pandita. MOF cooperates with DNA polymerase eta to repair intrastrand break induced by crosslinking agents. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5139. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5139

Nucleotide selection by the Y-family DNA polymerase Dpo4 involves template translocation and misalignment

Y-family DNA polymerases play a crucial role in translesion DNA synthesis. Here, we have characterized the binding kinetics and conformational dynamics of the Y-family polymerase Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 DNA polymerase IV (Dpo4) using single-molecule fluorescence. We find that in the absence of dNTPs, the binary complex shuttles between two different conformations within ∼1 s. These data are consistent with prior crystal structures in which the nucleotide binding site is either occupied by the terminal base pair (preinsertion conformation) or empty following Dpo4 translocation by 1 base pair (insertion conformation). Most interestingly, on dNTP binding, only the insertion conformation is observed and the correct dNTP stabilizes this complex compared with the binary complex, whereas incorrect dNTPs destabilize it. However, if the n+1 template base is complementary to the incoming dNTP, a structure consistent with a misaligned template conformation is observed, in which the template base at the n position loops out. This structure provides evidence for a Dpo4 mutagenesis pathway involving a transient misalignment mechanism.

DNA polymerase eta is targeted by Mdm2 for polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation in response to ultraviolet irradiation

DNA polymerase eta (PolH), the product of the xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XPV) gene and a Y-family DNA polymerase, plays a pivotal role in translesion DNA synthesis. Loss of PolH leads to early onset of malignant skin cancer in XPV patients and increases UV-induced carcinogenesis. Thus, the pathways by which PolH expression and activity are controlled may be explored as a strategy to prevent UV-induced cancer. In this study, we found that Mdm2, a RING finger E3 ligase, promotes PolH degradation. Specifically, we showed that knockdown of Mdm2 increases PolH expression in both p53-proficient and -deficient cells. In addition, we showed that UV-induced PolH degradation is attenuated by Mdm2 knockdown. In contrast, ectopically expression of Mdm2 decreases PolH expression, which can be abrogated by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Moreover, we showed that Mdm2 physically associates with PolH and promotes PolH polyubiquitination in vivo and in vitro. Finally, we showed that knockdown of Mdm2 increases the formation of PolH replication foci and decreases the sensitivity of cells to UV-induced lesions in a PolH-dependent manner. Taken together, we uncovered that Mdm2 serves as an E3 ligase for PolH polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation in cells under the basal condition and in response to UV irradiation.

Development of a Sensitive Assay System for Tritium Risk Assessment Using Rev1 Transgenic Mouse

Tritium, which is a radioactive isotope of the element hydrogen, would a powerful source in fuel future nuclear fusion reactors. Tritium acts much like hydrogen and is easily disbursed in environmental and biological systems. The risk assessment of tritium is one of the major issues arising in the development of the fusion reactors.Exposure to tritium increases the risk of developing cancer as with all ionizing radiation. Cancer risk of tritium in man must be estimated based on experimental studies alone due to lack of human epidemiological data. Although the effects of tritium in mice have been described in many reports, the available information is not sufficient to accurately estimate risk from tritium exposure.To evaluate cancer risk from tritium exposure, we developed Rev1 transgenic mice as a high radiation sensitive assay system. Rev1 has a central role in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), which is known as error-prone DNA repair. It has been reported that absence of Rev1 sensitizes to a variety of DNA damaging agents including ionizing radiation. Overexpression of Rev1 enhanced chemical-induced tumor development in mice. From these studies, we suggest that Rev1 transgenic mouse may be a useful model system for the study of risk estimation of tritium induced cancers.

NBS1 Recruits RAD18 via a RAD6-like Domain and Regulates Pol η-Dependent Translesion DNA Synthesis

Translesion DNA synthesis, a process orchestrated by monoubiquitinated PCNA, is critical for DNA damage tolerance. While the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme RAD6 and ubiquitin ligase RAD18 are known to monoubiquitinate PCNA, how they are regulated by DNA damage is not fully understood. We show that NBS1 (mutated in Nijmegen breakage syndrome) binds to RAD18 after UV irradiation and mediates the recruitment of RAD18 to sites of DNA damage. Disruption of NBS1 abolished RAD18-dependent PCNA ubiquitination and Polη focus formation, leading to elevated UV sensitivity and mutation. Unexpectedly, the RAD18-interacting domain of NBS1, which was mapped to its C terminus, shares structural and functional similarity with the RAD18-interacting domain of RAD6. These domains of NBS1 and RAD6 allow the two proteins to interact with RAD18 homodimers simultaneously and are crucial for Polη-dependent UV tolerance. Thus, in addition to chromosomal break repair, NBS1 plays a key role in translesion DNA synthesis.

Evidence for the involvement of human DNA polymerase N in the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links.

Human DNA polymerase N (PolN) is an A-family nuclear DNA polymerase whose function is unknown. This study examines the possible role of PolN in DNA repair in human cells treated with PolN-targeted siRNA. HeLa cells with siRNA-mediated knockdown of PolN were more sensitive than control cells to DNA cross-linking agent mitomycin C (MMC) but were not hypersensitive to UV irradiation. The MMC hypersensitivity of PolN knockdown cells was rescued by the overexpression of DNA polymerase-proficient PolN but not by DNA polymerase-deficient PolN. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that purified PolN conducts low-efficiency nonmutagenic bypass of a psoralen DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL), whose structure resembles an intermediate in the proposed pathway of ICL repair. These results suggest that PolN might play a role in translesion DNA synthesis during ICL repair in human cells.

Structure of the Human Rev1–DNA–dNTP Ternary Complex

Y-family DNA polymerases have proven to be remarkably diverse in their functions and in strategies for replicating through DNA lesions. The structure of yeast Rev1 ternary complex has revealed the most radical replication strategy, where the polymerase itself dictates the identity of the incoming nucleotide, as well as the identity of the templating base. We show here that many of the key elements of this highly unusual strategy are conserved between yeast and human Rev1, including the eviction of template G from the DNA helix and the pairing of incoming deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate with a surrogate arginine residue. We also show that the catalytic core of human Rev1 is uniquely augmented by two large inserts, I1 and I2, wherein I1 extends > 20 Å away from the active site and may serve as a platform for protein–protein interactions specific for Rev1's role in translesion DNA synthesis in human cells, and I2 acts as a “flap” on the hydrophobic pocket accommodating template G. We suggest that these novel structural features are important for providing human Rev1 greater latitude in promoting efficient and error-free translesion DNA synthesis through the diverse array of bulky and potentially carcinogenic N 2–deoxyguanosine DNA adducts in human cells.

Two-polymerase mechanisms dictate error-free and error-prone translesion DNA synthesis in mammals

DNA replication across blocking lesions occurs by translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), involving a multitude of mutagenic DNA polymerases that operate to protect the mammalian genome. Using a quantitative TLS assay, we identified three main classes of TLS in human cells: two rapid and error-free, and the third slow and error-prone. A single gene, REV3L, encoding the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase zeta (pol zeta), was found to have a pivotal role in TLS, being involved in TLS across all lesions examined, except for a TT cyclobutane dimer. Genetic epistasis siRNA analysis indicated that discrete two-polymerase combinations with pol zeta dictate error-prone or error-free TLS across the same lesion. These results highlight the central role of pol zeta in both error-prone and error-free TLS in mammalian cells, and show that bypass of a single lesion may involve at least three different DNA polymerases, operating in different two-polymerase combinations.

Role of Single-stranded DNA in Targeting REV1 to Primer Termini

Cellular functions of the REV1 gene have been conserved in evolution and appear important for maintaining genetic integrity through translesion DNA synthesis. This study documents a novel biochemical activity of human REV1 protein, due to higher affinity for single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) than the primer terminus. Preferential binding to long ssDNA regions of the template strand means that REV1 is targeted specifically to the included primer termini, a property not shared by other DNA polymerases, including human DNA polymerases alpha, beta, and eta. Furthermore, a mutant REV1 lacking N- and C-terminal domains, but catalytically active, lost this function, indicating that control is not due to the catalytic core. The novel activity of REV1 protein might imply a role for ssDNA in the regulation of translesion DNA synthesis.

Multiple roles of Rev3, the catalytic subunit of polzeta in maintaining genome stability in vertebrates.

Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) and homologous DNA recombination (HR) are two major postreplicational repair (PRR) pathways. The REV3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase zeta, which is involved in mutagenic TLS. To investigate the role of REV3 in vertebrates, we disruped the gene in chicken DT40 cells. REV3(-/-) cells are sensitive to various DNA-damaging agents, including UV, methyl methanesulphonate (MMS), cisplatin and ionizing radiation (IR), consistent with its role in TLS. Interestingly, REV3(-/-) cells showed reduced gene targeting efficiencies and significant increase in the level of chromosomal breaks in the subsequent M phase after IR in the G(2) phase, suggesting the involvement of Rev3 in HR-mediated double-strand break repair. REV3(-/-) cells showed significant increase in sister chromatid exchange events and chromosomal breaks even in the absence of exogenous genotoxic stress. Furthermore, double mutants of REV3 and RAD54, genes involved in HR, are synthetic lethal. In conclusion, Rev3 plays critical roles in PRR, which accounts for survival on naturally occurring endogenous as well as induced damages during replication.