RNA∶DNA hybrids initiate quasi-palindrome-associated mutations in highly transcribed yeast DNA.

ABSTRACT: RNase H enzymes promote genetic stability by degrading aberrant RNA:DNA hybrids and by removing ribonucleotide monophosphates (rNMPs) that are present in duplex DNA. Here, we report that loss of RNase H2 in yeast is associated with mutations that extend identity between the arms of imperfect inverted repeats (quasi-palindromes or QPs), a mutation type generally attributed to a template switch during DNA synthesis. QP events were detected using frameshift-reversion assays and were only observed under conditions of high transcription. In striking contrast to transcription-associated short deletions that also are detected by these assays, QP events do not require Top1 activity. QP mutation rates are strongly affected by the direction of DNA replication and, in contrast to their elevation in t

SUBMITTER: Kim N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3820800 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature