Pif1 family helicases suppress genome instability at G-quadruplex motifs.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 23657261.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/nature12149 and PMC identifier 3680789.
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Abstract
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 helicase is the prototypical member of the Pif1 DNA helicase family, which is conserved from bacteria to humans. Here we show that exceptionally potent G-quadruplex unwinding is conserved among Pif1 helicases. Moreover, Pif1 helicases from organisms separated by more than 3 billion years of evolution suppressed DNA damage at G-quadruplex motifs in yeast. The G-quadruplex-induced damage generated in the absence of Pif1 helicases led to new genetic and epigenetic changes. Furthermore, when expressed in yeast, human PIF1 suppressed both G-quadruplex-associated DNA damage and telomere lengthening.
Medical subject headings
- DNA Helicases
- G-Quadruplexes
- Genomic Instability
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae