title: DNA sequence analysis of the mutational specificity of u.v. light in the SUP4-o gene of yeast.
abstract: We have characterized mutations induced in the SUP4-o gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by u.v. irradiation. Mutants were selected following treatment with 60 J/m2 u.v. light which reduced cell survival to 10% and increased the SUP4-o mutation frequency 100-fold above background. DNA sequence analysis of 120 mutants revealed that u.v. induced all types of base substitutions, although transitions, in particular G:C----A:T events predominated. In addition, a small number of single base pair deletions and double mutations, occurring in tandem or separated by a few base pairs, were recovered. The base pair substitutions were not distributed randomly in the SUP4-o gene and, with one exception, were all located at sites of adjacent pyrimidines, suggesting that they were targeted by u.v. photolesions. A substantial fraction of the mutations were detected at hotspots for u.v. mutagenesis. The majority of changes occurred at the 3' base of dipyrimidine sequences where both cyclobutane dimers and [6-4]-photoproducts could form. Approximately one-third of the induced base substitutions were found at potential pyrimidine dimer sites where [6-4]-photoproducts would be expected to occur rarely. The possible origins of the induced mutations and the role of cyclobutane dimers as premutational u.v. lesions in yeast are considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Kunz
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mis
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Giroux
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005800:Genes, Fungal / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010957:Plasmids; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000254:growth & development; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes