The schizosaccharomyces pombe rhp3+ gene required for DNA repair and cell viability is functionally interchangeable with the RAD3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Paul R. Reynolds, Stephen Biggar, Louise Prakash, Satya Prakash

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The RAD3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required for excision repair and is essential for cell viability. RAD3 encoded protein possesses a single stranded DNA-dependent ATPase and DNA and DNA-RNA helicase activities. Mutational studies have indicated a requirement for the RAD3 helicase activities in excision repair. To examine the extent of conservation of structure and function of RAD3 during eukaryotic evolution, we have cloned the RAD3 homolog, rhp3+ from the distantly related yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. RAD3 and rhp3+ encoded proteins are highly similar, sharing 67% identical amino acids. We show that like RAD3, rhp3+ is indispensable for excision repair and cell viability, and our studies indicate a requirement of the putative rhp3+ DNA helicase activity in DNA repair. We find that the RAD3 and rhp3+ genes can functionally substitute for one another. The level of complementation provided by the rhp3+ gene in S.cerevisiae rad3 mutants or by the RAD3 gene in S.pombe rhp3 mutants is remarkable in that both the excision repair and viability defects in both yeasts are restored to wild type levels. These observations suggest a parallel evolutionary conservation of other protein components with which RAD3 interacts in mediating its DNA repair and viability functions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2327-2334
Number of pages8
JournalNucleic acids research
Volume20
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 11 1992
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics

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