Influence of Electron-Holes on DNA Sequence-Specific Mutation Rates.

ABSTRACT: Biases in mutation rate can influence molecular evolution, yielding rates of evolution that vary widely in different parts of the genome and even among neighboring nucleotides. Here, we explore one possible mechanism of influence on sequence-specific mutation rates, the electron-hole, which can localize and potentially trigger a replication mismatch. A hole is a mobile site of positive charge created during one-electron oxidation by, for example, radiation, contact with a mutagenic agent, or oxidative stress. Its quantum wavelike properties cause it to localize at various sites with probabilities that vary widely, by orders of magnitude, and depend strongly on the local sequence. We find significant correlations between hole probabilities and mutation rates within base triplets, observed i

SUBMITTER: Suarez-Villagran MY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5887664 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature