RNA editing enzyme APOBEC1 and some of its homologs can act as DNA mutators

Reuben S. Harris, Svend K. Petersen-Mahrt, Michael S. Neuberger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

491 Scopus citations

Abstract

APOBEC1 is the catalytic component of an RNA editing complex but shows homology to activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), a protein whose function is to potentiate diversification of immunoglobulin gene DNA. Here, we show that APOBEC1 and its homologs APOBEC3C and APOBEC3G exhibit potent DNA mutator activity in an E. coli assay. Indeed, like AID, these proteins appear to trigger DNA mutation through dC deamination. However, each protein exhibits a distinct local target sequence specificity. The results reveal the existence of a family of potential active dC/dG mutators, with possible implications for cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1247-1253
Number of pages7
JournalMolecular Cell
Volume10
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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