Base analogs are derivatives of the normal DNA bases, which may mimic to varying extents the properties of the normal bases. As such, they have the ability to interfere with normal nucleotide metabolism and exert a variety of toxic and mutagenic effects. One example of their application as a toxic compound is usage as antiviral or antitumor agents. Our main interest in base analogs centers around their properties as mutagens, and we use them as probes for studying the various ways by which cells either make mutations or try to avoid them, using the bacterium E. coli as a model system. Specifically, we use purine analogs such as 2-aminopurine (AP), 6-hydroxylaminopurine (HAP), and 2-amino-6-hydroxylaminopurine (AHAP), and the pyrimidine analog BN4-hydroxycytosine to investigate (i) the mechanisms by which these analogs are converted to mutationally active forms (e.g., a modified dNTP) and (ii) the protective mechanisms that cells use to avoid or diminish analog-induced mutagenesis. The basic approach in our studies is a genetic one, in which analog-induced toxicity or mutagenesis is studied in a variety of E. coli genetic mutants. These mutants are (i) affected in established pathways of DNA replication, repair, or nucleotide metabolism (to delineate the role of these systems) or (ii) newly isolated mutants generated on the basis of their altered response to these agents (to discover novel pathways for analog toxicity or mutagenesis). The most striking discovery has been the identification of a hitherto unknown detoxification pathway for N-hydroxylated bases, which requires the Molybdenum Cofactor (MoCo). In a search for the responsible MoCo-dependent activity, we have systematically deleted all the known and putative molybdoenzymes from E. coli. No base-analog sensitivity was associated with any of these mutants (including one lacking all combined activities), indicating that the base-analog detoxifying activity must result from an as yet unidentified group (family) of molybdoenzymes. We also have discovered that the novel activity does not require the MGD (Molybdopterin Guanine Dinucleotide) form of MoCo, which is commonly used by the bacterial enzymes. Instead, the MPT (molybdopterin) form of MoCo, commonly used in eukaryotic systems, is sufficient. The nature and enzymatic mechanism(s) underlying the MPT-dependent activity are currently being further investigated using both genetic and biochemical approaches.
| Kozmin, Stanislav G; Stepchenkova, Elena I; Schaaper, Roel M (2013) TusA (YhhP) and IscS are required for molybdenum cofactor-dependent base-analog detoxification. Microbiologyopen 2:743-55 |
| Kozmin, Stanislav G; Schaaper, Roel M (2007) Molybdenum cofactor-dependent resistance to N-hydroxylated base analogs in Escherichia coli is independent of MobA function. Mutat Res 619:9-15 |
| Swartz, Carol D; Parks, Nick; Umbach, David M et al. (2007) Enhanced mutagenesis of Salmonella tester strains due to deletion of genes other than uvrB. Environ Mol Mutagen 48:694-705 |
| Fowler, Robert G; White, Steven J; Koyama, Carol et al. (2003) Interactions among the Escherichia coli mutT, mutM, and mutY damage prevention pathways. DNA Repair (Amst) 2:159-73 |
