title: Biological relevance of DNA polymerase β and translesion synthesis polymerases to cancer and its treatment.
abstract: The cellular genome is constantly subject to DNA damage caused by endogenous factors or exogenously by damaging agents such as ionizing radiation or various anticancer agents. The base excision repair (BER) enzyme, DNA polymerase β, and the polymerases involved in translesion synthesis (TLS) have been shown to contribute to cellular tolerance and repair of DNA lesions by anticancer treatments, particularly the platinum cytotoxic drugs. Moreover, there is robust preclinical evidence linking alterations in DNA pol β and TLS polymerase levels to cancer. DNA polymerases may therefore be potential targets to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs. In this article, the physical and chemical properties of DNA polymerase β and the translesion synthesis polymerases are reviewed with a view to identifying how they may act as targets for anticancer treatment. The potential clinical role of new DNA polymerase inhibitors is discussed and how they may be combined with conventional cytotoxic agents.
authors: Cancer Research UK-Medical Research Council Gray Institute, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
authors: Nils H
authors: NH
authors: Nicolay
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Helleday
authors: Ricky A
authors: RA
authors: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019951:DNA Polymerase beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000187:drug effects*; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D009713:Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000094769:DNA Polymerase iota; D000097462:DNA Polymerase theta; D000099270:Y-Family DNA Polymerases
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019951:DNA Polymerase beta; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D009713:Nucleotidyltransferases; D000094769:DNA Polymerase iota; D000097462:DNA Polymerase theta; C425929:DNA polymerase zeta; C429004:REV1 protein, human; D000099270:Y-Family DNA Polymerases; C404302:POLK protein, human; C112338:Rad30 protein; C000722070:POLI protein, human