Contribution of the reverse rate of the conformational step to polymerase beta fidelity.

A complete understanding of the kinetic mechanism of fidelity requires comparison of correct and incorrect dNTP incorporation pathways in both the forward and reverse directions. The studies presented here focus on the dNTP-induced conformational step, which has historically been proposed by many to be the major determinant of fidelity. As it was recently highlighted [Tsai, Y. C., and Johnson, K. A. (2006) Biochemistry 45, 9675-9687], chemistry can be the slowest step in the forward direction of the correct dNTP incorporation pathway, yet the corresponding microscopic rate constant would not contribute toward fidelity in the case when the reverse rate of the conformational step is slower than chemistry. Here we use a stopped-flow technique to directly measure the reverse rate of the conformational step in the DNA polymerase beta (Pol beta) kinetic pathway. Extensive pre-steady-state kinetic studies presented include the utilization of 2-aminopurine-labeled DNA substrates, 2-aminopurine nucleotide triphosphate, a nonhydrolyzable nucleotide analogue dAMPCPP, and a rapid sequential mixing reaction scheme. Additionally, the effect of mismatched dNTPs, various metal ions, and the presence of the 3'-terminal hydroxyl group of the primer on the rate of the reverse "opening" conformational step were analyzed. Our analyses indicate that reverse "opening" is drastically facilitated in the presence of mismatched ternary complexes, which is in agreement with the hypothesis that the ternary complex is destabilized by the presence of incorrect dNTP. By analysis of the relative magnitudes of chemistry and reverse "opening" in the presence of both matched and mismatched matched ternary complexes, this work further validates that, for Pol beta, fidelity is dictated by the differences in free energy required to reach the highest energy transition state of the chemical step.

Mismatched and matched dNTP incorporation by DNA polymerase beta proceed via analogous kinetic pathways.

While matched nucleotide incorporation by DNA polymerase beta (Pol beta) has been well-studied, a true understanding of polymerase fidelity requires comparison of both matched and mismatched dNTP incorporation pathways. Here we examine the mechanism of misincorporation for wild-type (WT) Pol beta and an error-prone I260Q variant using stopped-flow fluorescence assays and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. In stopped-flow, a biphasic fluorescence trace is observed for both enzymes during mismatched dNTP incorporation. The fluorescence transitions are in the same direction as that observed for matched dNTP, albeit with lower amplitude. Assignments of the fast and slow fluorescence phases are designated to the same mechanistic steps previously determined for matched dNTP incorporation. For both WT and I260Q mismatched dNTP incorporation, the rate of the fast phase, reflecting subdomain closing, is comparable to that induced by correct dNTP. Pre-steady-state kinetic evaluation reveals that both enzymes display similar correct dNTP insertion profiles, and the lower fidelity intrinsic to the I260Q mutant results from enhanced efficiency of mismatched incorporation. Notably, in comparison to WT, I260Q demonstrates enhanced intensity of fluorescence emission upon mismatched ternary complex formation. Both kinetic and steady-state fluorescence data suggest that relaxed discrimination against incorrect dNTP by I260Q is a consequence of a loss in ability to destabilize the mismatched ternary complex. Overall, our results provide first direct evidence that mismatched and matched dNTP incorporations proceed via analogous kinetic pathways, and support our standing hypothesis that the fidelity of Pol beta originates from destabilization of the mismatched closed ternary complex and chemical transition state.

A unified kinetic mechanism applicable to multiple DNA polymerases.

After extensive studies spanning over half a century, there is little consensus on the kinetic mechanism of DNA polymerases. Using stopped-flow fluorescence assays for mammalian DNA polymerase beta (Pol beta), we have previously identified a fast fluorescence transition corresponding to conformational closing, and a slow fluorescence transition matching the rate of single-nucleotide incorporation. Here, by varying pH and buffer viscosity, we have decoupled the rate of single-nucleotide incorporation from the rate of the slow fluorescence transition, thus confirming our previous hypothesis that this transition represents a conformational event after chemistry, likely subdomain reopening. Analysis of an R258A mutant indicates that rotation of the Arg258 side chain is not rate-limiting in the overall kinetic pathway of Pol beta, yet is kinetically significant in subdomain reopening. We have extended our kinetic analyses to a high-fidelity polymerase, Klenow fragment (KF), and a low-fidelity polymerase, African swine fever virus DNA polymerase X (Pol X), and showed that they follow the same kinetic mechanism as Pol beta, while differing in relative rates of single-nucleotide incorporation and the putative conformational reopening. Our data suggest that the kinetic mechanism of Pol beta is not an exception among polymerases, and furthermore, its delineated kinetic mechanism lends itself as a platform for comparison of the kinetic properties of different DNA polymerases and their mutants.

Pre-steady-state kinetic studies of the fidelity of human DNA polymerase mu.

DNA polymerase mu (Polmu), an X-family DNA polymerase, is preferentially expressed in secondary lymphoid tissues with yet unknown physiological functions. In this study, Polmu was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The purified enzyme had a lifetime of <20 min at 37 degrees C, but was stable for over 3 h at 25 degrees C in an optimized reaction buffer. The fidelity of human Polmu was thus determined using pre-steady-state kinetic analysis of the incorporation of single nucleotides into undamaged DNA 21/41-mer substrates at 25 degrees C. Single-turnover saturation kinetics for all 16 possible deoxynucleotide (dNTP) incorporations and for four matched ribonucleotide (rNTP) incorporations were measured under conditions where Polmu was in molar excess over DNA. The polymerization rate (k(p)), binding affinity (K(d)), and substrate specificity (k(p)/K(d)) are 0.006-0.076 s(-1), 0.35-1.8 microM, and (8-64) x10(-3) microM(-1) s(-1), respectively, for matched incoming dNTPs, (2-30) x 10(-5) s(-1), 7.3-135 microM, and (4-61) x 10(-7) microM(-1) s(-1), respectively, for mismatched incoming dNTPs, and (2-73) x 10(-4) s(-1), 45-302 microM, and (7-1300) x 10(-7) microM(-1) s(-1), respectively, for matched incoming rNTPs. The overall fidelity of Polmu was estimated to be in the range of 10(-3)-10(-5) for both dNTP and rNTP incorporations and was sequence-independent. The sugar selectivity, defined as the substrate specificity ratio of a matched dNTP versus a matched rNTP, was measured to be in the range of 492-10959. In addition to a slow and distributive DNA polymerase activity, Polmu was identified to possess a weak strand-displacement activity. The potential biological roles of Polmu are discussed.