The broad, long-term objectives of this project are; 1) to identify and characterize enzymatic functions involved in human DNA repair, 2) to utilize this information to elucidate the various pathways for DNA repair in human cells and 3) to establish specific connections between defective DNA repair and a predisposition to cancer. Substantial evidence has accrued indicating that cancer is the result of a series of mutations in genes that affect the growth and replication of a cell (oncogenes and/or genes that suppress uncontrolled growth, the tumor suppressor genes). It is now a well established fact that cells have a complex set of enzymatic DNA repair mechanisms which protect the genome against mutation. It is conceivable that, within the heterogeneous human population, cells from different individuals differ in their abilities to repair DNA. If this repair is defective or compromised, an increased mutation rate would result, which in turn would increase the likelihood of mutation in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. In a diagnostic sense, an understanding of the mechanisms of human DNA repair would serve to warn individuals, with ineffective repair, that they may predisposed to cancer. These individuals could be monitored regularly for early diagnosis of cancer and also removed from environmental situations augmenting mutation and carcinogenesis.
The specific aims of this project are; 1) to characterize the human DNA repair function, uracil-DNA glycosylase, from normal cells and cells derived from individuals with genetic disorders showing a predisposition to cancer, 2) to characterize the gene encoding human dUTP nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) in normal and genetically aberrant cells, 3) to determine the significance of post-translational phosphorylation of the human dUTPase protein, 4) to analyze DNA repair functions of the herpes simplex virus. Utilizing cloning methodologies, Southern blot analysis and DNA sequencing, the structural characteristics of the glycosylase and dUTPase genes will be determined. Cell culture, northern blot and western blot analysis will be used to examine expression of these genes in normal and genetically abnormal cells. Cell culture, biochemical and immunochemical techniques will be used to examine the post translational phosphorylation of human dUTPase as a function of the proliferative state of the cell. Similar molecular, immunological and biochemical methodologies will be used to characterize the herpes simplex virus DNA repair functions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA042605-07
Application #
3184111
Study Section
Biochemistry Study Section (BIO)
Project Start
1985-08-01
Project End
1994-11-30
Budget Start
1991-12-05
Budget End
1992-11-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Department
Type
Schools of Osteopathy
DUNS #
City
Stratford
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08084
Muller-Weeks, S; Mastran, B; Caradonna, S (1998) The nuclear isoform of the highly conserved human uracil-DNA glycosylase is an Mr 36,000 phosphoprotein. J Biol Chem 273:21909-17
Ladner, R D; Caradonna, S J (1997) The human dUTPase gene encodes both nuclear and mitochondrial isoforms. Differential expression of the isoforms and characterization of a cDNA encoding the mitochondrial species. J Biol Chem 272:19072-80
Ladner, R D; McNulty, D E; Carr, S A et al. (1996) Characterization of distinct nuclear and mitochondrial forms of human deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase. J Biol Chem 271:7745-51
Muller-Weeks, S J; Caradonna, S (1996) Specific association of cyclin-like uracil-DNA glycosylase with the proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Exp Cell Res 226:346-55
Ladner, R D; Carr, S A; Huddleston, M J et al. (1996) Identification of a consensus cyclin-dependent kinase phosphorylation site unique to the nuclear form of human deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase. J Biol Chem 271:7752-7
Caradonna, S; Ladner, R; Hansbury, M et al. (1996) Affinity purification and comparative analysis of two distinct human uracil-DNA glycosylases. Exp Cell Res 222:345-59
Muller, S J; Caradonna, S (1993) Cell cycle regulation of a human cyclin-like gene encoding uracil-DNA glycosylase. J Biol Chem 268:1310-9
Worrad, D M; Caradonna, S (1993) The herpes simplex virus type 2 UL3 open reading frame encodes a nuclear localizing phosphoprotein. Virology 195:364-76
Muller, S J; Caradonna, S (1991) Isolation and characterization of a human cDNA encoding uracil-DNA glycosylase. Biochim Biophys Acta 1088:197-207
Lirette, R; Caradonna, S (1990) Inhibition of phosphorylation of cellular dUTP nucleotidohydrolase as a consequence of herpes simplex virus infection. J Cell Biochem 43:339-53

Showing the most recent 10 out of 11 publications