Mismatch repair in Gram-positive bacteria

Res Microbiol. 2016 Jan;167(1):4-12. doi: 10.1016/j.resmic.2015.08.006. Epub 2015 Sep 3.

Abstract

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is responsible for correcting errors formed during DNA replication. DNA polymerase errors include base mismatches and extra helical nucleotides referred to as insertion and deletion loops. In bacteria, MMR increases the fidelity of the chromosomal DNA replication pathway approximately 100-fold. MMR defects in bacteria reduce replication fidelity and have the potential to affect fitness. In mammals, MMR defects are characterized by an increase in mutation rate and by microsatellite instability. In this review, we discuss current advances in understanding how MMR functions in bacteria lacking the MutH and Dam methylase-dependent MMR pathway.

Keywords: Bacillus subtilis; Mismatch repair; MutL; MutS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bacillus / genetics
  • Bacillus / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA Mismatch Repair*
  • DNA Replication
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics*
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism
  • Genetic Fitness
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / genetics*
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / metabolism
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein / genetics
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Mutation

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • MutS DNA Mismatch-Binding Protein