title: Mutations within conserved motifs in the 3'-5' exonuclease domain of herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase.
abstract: We investigated mutations within the presumed 3'-5' exonuclease domain of the DNA polymerase from herpes simplex virus type 1. The mutation sites correspond to residues in DNA polymerase I (Escherichia coli) which bind two metal ions that are required for exonuclease function. To evaluate the effect of the herpesvirus mutations on enzymatic activity, we overexpressed the wild-type DNA polymerase and one mutant enzyme using a baculovirus expression system. Both proteins exhibited DNA polymerase activity after partial purification, but the mutant protein was drastically deficient in exonuclease activity. This finding suggests that the herpesvirus exonuclease may utilize the same metal-ion-mediated mechanism employed by DNA polymerase I. We also attempted to transfer each of the mutations into the herpesvirus genome using a marker rescue protocol. Although wild-type sequences could be transferred readily, recombinant viruses carrying mutant sequences were not recovered. We discuss the possibility that the mutations are lethal and suggest mechanisms by which a deficiency in 3'-5' exonuclease might cause loss of viability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Orth
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Swihart
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Senese
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004256:DNA Polymerase I / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology; D005090:Exodeoxyribonucleases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D017924:Nucleopolyhedroviruses / Q000235:genetics; D010746:Phosphonoacetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000201:enzymology*; D018411:Spodoptera; D014709:Vero Cells; D014764:Viral Proteins
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D014764:Viral Proteins; D004256:DNA Polymerase I; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D005090:Exodeoxyribonucleases; C043417:DNA polymerase, Simplexvirus; D010746:Phosphonoacetic Acid