Yeast and human genes that affect the Escherichia coli SOS response.
The sequencing of the human genome has led to the identification of many genes whose functions remain to be determined. Because of conservation of genetic function, microbial systems have often been used for identification and characterization of human genes. We have investigated the use of the Escherichia coli SOS induction assay as a screen for yeast and human genes that might play a role in DNA metabolism and/or in genome stability. The SOS system has previously been used to analyze bacterial and viral genes that directly modify DNA. An initial screen of meiotically expressed yeast genes revealed several genes associated with chromosome metabolism (e.g., RAD51 and HHT1 as well as others). The SOS induction assay was then extended to the isolation of human genes. Several known human genes involved in DNA metabolism, such as the Ku70 end-binding protein and DNA ligase IV, were identified, as well as a large number of previously unknown genes. Thus, the SOS assay can be used to identify and characterize human genes, many of which may participate in chromosome metabolism.
Chromosome Stability Group, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
E L
EL
Perkins
J F
JF
Sterling
V I
VI
Hashem
M A
MA
Resnick
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004265:DNA Helicases; D000072481:DNA Ligase ATP; D011088:DNA Ligases / Q000235:genetics; D004260:DNA Repair; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D015723:Gene Library; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D006801:Humans; D000072200:Ku Autoantigen; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D013014:SOS Response, Genetics / Q000235:genetics*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C000607891:DNL4 protein, S cerevisiae; C000607893:LIG4 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; C081647:high affinity DNA-binding factor, S cerevisiae; D004247:DNA; D004265:DNA Helicases; C106893:XRCC5 protein, human; C000606509:Xrcc6 protein, human; D000072200:Ku Autoantigen; D011088:DNA Ligases; D000072481:DNA Ligase ATP