Identification of critical residues required for the mutation avoidance function of human MutY (hMYH) and implications in colorectal cancer

Mutations found in human tumors often include transversions of GC to TA that may result from the mis-pairing of 8-oxoG with adenine during DNA replication. The human MutY (hMYH) enzyme, an adenine-specific DNA glycosylase, initiates repair at this mismatch. It has recently been demonstrated that inherited variants of hMYH may predispose individuals to multiple colorectal adenomas and carcinoma [Nat. Genet. 30 (2002) 227]. In this study, we demonstrate that two of these cancer-associated hMYH mutants, Y165C and G382D, are devoid of glycosylase activity directed towards 8-oxoG:A mispairs. These findings implicate a total loss of hMYH function associated with colorectal cancers.