Translesion DNA Synthesis and Reinitiation of DNA Synthesis in Chemotherapy Resistance

Biochemistry (Mosc). 2020 Aug;85(8):869-882. doi: 10.1134/S0006297920080039.

Abstract

Many chemotherapy drugs block tumor cell division by damaging DNA. DNA polymerases eta (Pol η), iota (Pol ι), kappa (Pol κ), REV1 of the Y-family and zeta (Pol ζ) of the B-family efficiently incorporate nucleotides opposite a number of DNA lesions during translesion DNA synthesis. Primase-polymerase PrimPol and the Pol α-primase complex reinitiate DNA synthesis downstream of the damaged sites using their DNA primase activity. These enzymes can decrease the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs, contribute to the survival of tumor cells and to the progression of malignant diseases. DNA polymerases are promising targets for increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and mutations and polymorphisms in some DNA polymerases can serve as additional prognostic markers in a number of oncological disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA Damage / drug effects
  • DNA Repair / drug effects
  • DNA Replication / drug effects
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Protein Biosynthesis / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
  • DNA
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase