Systematic analysis of DNA polymerases as therapeutic targets in pan-cancers

Introduction:DNA polymerases are crucial for maintaining genome stability and influencing tumorigenesis.However,the clinical implications of DNA polymerases in tumorigenesis and their potential as anti-cancer therapy targets are not well understood.Methods:We conducted a systematic analysis using TCGA Pan-Cancer Atlas data and Gene Set Cancer Analysis results to examine the expression profiles of 15 DNA polymerases(POLYs)and their clinical correlations.We also evaluated the prognostic value of POLYs by analyzing their expression levels in relation to overall survival time(OS)using Kaplan-Meier survival curves.Additionally,we investigated the correlations between POLY expression and immune cells,DNA damage repair(DDR)pathways,and ubiquitination.Drug sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the relationship between POLY expression and drug response.Results:Our analysis revealed that 14 out of 15 POLYs exhibited significantly distinct expression patterns between tumor and normal samples across most cancer types,except for DNA nucleotidylexotransferase(DNTT).Specifically,POLD1 and POLE showed elevated expression in almost all cancers,while POLQ exhibited high expression levels in all cancer types.Some POLYs showed heightened expression in specific cancer subtypes,while others exhibited low expression.Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated significant prognostic value of POLYs in multiple cancers,including PAAD,KIRC,and ACC.Cox analysis further validated these findings.Alteration patterns of POLYs varied significantly among different cancer types and were associated with poorer survival outcomes.Significant correlations were observed between the expression of POLY members and immune cells,DDR pathways,and ubiquitination.Drug sensitivity analysis indicated an inverse relationship between POLY expression and drug response.Conclusion:Our comprehensive study highlights the significant role of POLYs in cancer development and identifies them as promising prognostic and immunological biomarkers for various cancer types.Additionally,targeting POLYs therapeutically holds promise for tumor immunotherapy.

Development and Clinical Application of a Single-tube Nested PCR Method to Amplify the DNA Polymerase Ⅰ Gene of Treponema Pallidum

Objective: To develop a sensitive, specific and simple method for detection of extremely low numbers of T. pallidum in clinical specimens, as a significant addition to the serologic tests for syphilis diagnosis. Methods: Double-tube nested PCR(DN-PCR) and single-tube nested PCR(SN-PCR) assays were performed to amplify specific fragments of the DNA poly-merase I gene(polA) of T. pallidum. Sensitivity and specificity of the two PCR assays were tested. Eighty-six whole blood specimens from persons with suspected syphilis were detected by the two nested PCR methods. The TPPA test was used as a comparison for detecting syphilis in sera from corresponding patients. Results: Only specific amplicons could be obtained during amplification of the T. pallidum polA gene and the detection limit was approximately 1 organism when analyzed on gel by the two PCR methods. Of 86 clinical specimens, 62 were positive by TPPA. Of these, 54 and 51 were positive by the DN-PCR and SN-PCR, respectively, which does not represent a statistically significant difference between the two PCR tests. Of 24 TPPA-negative specimens, 5 were positive by both DN-PCR assay and SN-PCR assay. Conclusion: The SN- polA PCR method is extremely sensitive, specific and easy to perform for detecting low numbers of T. pallidum in clinical blood specimens as a complementary to serology for syphilis diagnosis.

A Molecular Approach to Identification of the Chinese Drug“pu Gong Ying”(Herba Taraxaci)and Six Adulterants byDNA Fingerprinting Using Random Primed PolymeraseChain Resaction(PCR)

DNA fingerprinting among members of the Chinese drug Pu Gong Ying(Taraxacum mongolicum Hand,-Mazz.)and six adulterants of Tu Gong Ying were demonstrated with random-primed polymerase chain reaction(PCR)including arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction(AP-PCR)and random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD).Distinctive,reproducible genomic fingerprints from DNA from 7 species belonged to Compositae were generated with two long(20 and 24 mer)and one short(10 mer)randomly chosen primers.The Pu Gong Ying can be differentiated from six species of Tu Gong Ying according to the banding pattems of their amplified DNA on agarose gels.The results showed that AP-PCR and RAPD methods can be used for identifying Chinese drugs.Moreover,the Similarity Indexes of the genomic DNA fingerprints showed that Pu Gong Ying and its adulterants are unrelated.Therefore,AP-PCR and RAPD methods can be used for identifying Chinese drugs.

Sequencing of hepatitis C virus cDNA with polymerase chain reaction directed sequencing *

AIM To explore a rapid and easy sequencing method for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, and establish a new sequencing method in China. METHODS Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was combined with DNA sequencing technique. PCR products were purified by agarose gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), Polyethylene glycol (PEG) respectively. Then in the presence of a 5′ labeling PCR primer, purified PCR products were directly sequenced. By this method, HCV NS5b cDNA from two HCV infected individuals (HC 42 and HC 49) were sequenced.

Effect and mechanism of β-L-D4A on DNA polymerase α

AIM： To investigate the safety of β-L-D4A on DNA polymerase α.METHODS： Ion exchange chromatography was used to separate DNA polymerase cc from crude extract of human Hela cells. Detailed kinetic parameters were determined for β-L-D4A against DNA polymeraseα . RESULTS： DNA polymerase was purified with 4% yield and 31000 units/mg specific activity. The Michaelis constant （Km = 3.22 i^mol/L）, 50% inhibition concentration （IC50 = 178.49 μmol/L） and inhibition constant （Ki = 126 mol/L） of β-L-D4A were determined by kinetic analysis. CONCLUSION： β-L-D4A is a more safe nucleoside for hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection with a lower host toxicity.

新型超声快速处理活检标本保存不同年限对DNA质量的影响

背景:新型超声组织处理技术越来越多地被用来进行分子生物学分析,研究新型超声处理不同存储年限组织DNA的质量,对进一步分子检测的标本质控具有重要意义。目的:探讨新型超声处理活检标本存储不同年限对DNA质量的影响,以期为分子检测探索最佳的标本存储时间。方法:收集40例乳腺穿刺小活检组织,采用超声技术制作石蜡标本,按照存储年限分为4组:<1年组、1-3年组、>3-5年组及>5年组,每组10例,对石蜡标本进行切片,每张切片厚3μm,切片10-15张,提取DNA后通过Nanophotometer N60超微量分光光度计和Qubit 4.0荧光计检测DNA的质量浓度,记录A_(260)/A_(280)比值判定DNA的纯度,利用全自动毛细管电泳核酸分析仪(Qsep 100)检测DNA片段完整性,以评估DNA片段的质量。结果与结论:4组样本A_(260)/A_(280)均值在1.8-2.0之间,达到纯度要求,无明显差异。4组样本的DNA质量浓度(Qubit浓度)均值分别为30.39,14.33,2.52,1.95 ng/μL;DNA的平均N/Q比值分别为6.48,14.18,24.56,29.86;DNA质量数均值分别为5.64,1.76,1.24,0.80;大片段占比均值分别为56.08%,17.72%,12.68%,7.90%。PCR检测内控基因Ct均值分别为15.32,17.09,18.39,21.24。与<1年组相比,其余3组DNA浓度显著降低,N/Q比值显著增加,DNA质量数和大片段占比均值显著降低,Ct值升高,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。实验结果表明,对于新型超声处理活检标本,应优先选择存储<1年的样本进行日常分子检测,储存3年内的样本可满足二代测序等检测要求,5年内样本仅可尝试进行PCR等检测,存储超过5年的样本不建议进行后续分子检测。

A Simple and Easy Method for Site-specific Mutagenesis Using Long-distance Inverse PCR in the Presence of Pfu-DNA Polymerase

Site_specific mutagenesis has been widely used in molecular biology and biochemistry. The authors have developed a simple and easy method for site_specific mutagenesis of any genes on plasmids using long distance inverse PCR in the presence of Pfu_DNA polymerase. The efficiency of this method is higher than 90% and the entire procedure can be performed just in one tube. No subcloning is needed. This method is especially useful for obtaining mutant genes on large plasmids such as Ti plasmids used for plant transformation.

XRCC1 and DNA polymerase β in cellular protection against cytotoxic DNA single-strand breaks

Single-strand breaks （SSBs） can occur in cells either directly, or indirectly following initiation of base excision repair （BER）. SSBs generally have blocked termini lacking the conventional 5＇-phosphate and 3＇-hydroxyl groups and require further processing prior to DNA synthesis and ligation. XRCC1 is devoid of any known enzymatic activity, but it can physically interact with other proteins involved in all stages of the overlapping SSB repair and BER pathways, including those that conduct the rate-limiting end-tailoring, and in many cases can stimulate their enzymatic activities. XRCC1^-/- mouse fibroblasts are most hypersensitive to agents that produce DNA lesions repaired by monofunctional glycosylase-initiated BER and that result in formation of indirect SSBs. A requirement for the deoxyribose phosphate lyase activity of DNA polymerase β （pol β） is specific to this pathway, whereas pol β is implicated in gap-filling during repair of many types of SSBs. Elevated levels of strand breaks, and diminished repair, have been demonstrated in MMS- treated XRCC1^-/-, and to a lesser extent in pol β^-/- cell lines, compared with wild-type cells. Thus a strong correlation is observed between cellular sensitivity to MMS and the ability of cells to repair MMS-induced damage. Exposure of wild-type and polβ^-/- cells to an inhibitor of PARP activity dramatically potentiates MMS-induced cytotoxicity. XRCC1^-/- cells are also sensitized by PARP inhibition demonstrating that PARP-mediated poly（ADP-ribosyl）ation plays a role in modulation of cytotoxicity beyond recruitment of XRCC 1 to sites of DNA damage.

Mutation of DNA polymerase p in esophageal carcinoma of different regions

AIM： To observe the variation of DNA polymerase β （polβ） in esophageal carcinoma. METHODS： Thirty specimens containing adjacent normal epithelial tissues were collected from patients in Linzhou region （a high risk area for esophageal squamous carcinoma） and 25 specimens were from a non-high risk area. Total RNA was extracted from the samples and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was performed. PCR products were cloned and sequenced to investigate the po1β gene with DNASIS and OMIGA. Statistical significance was evaluated using the X^2 test. RESULTS： High-inddence area group： Polβ gene variation was detected in 13 of 30 esophageal carcinoma tissue specimens, and only one variation was found in 30 corresponding adjacent normal tissue specimens. Non high-incidence area group： po1β gene variation was detected in 5 of 25 esophageal carcinoma tissue specimens, and no variation was found in 25 corresponding adjacent normal tissue specimens. The incidence of po1β gene variation observed in the high-incidence area group was significantly higher than in the non-high incidence area group. Two mutation hot spots （454-466 and 648-670 nt） and a 58 bp deletion （177-234 nt） were found. CONCLUSION： Variations of polβ perform different functions between the high-incidence areas and the other areas, and may play a more important role in the high-incidence areas.

Preparation of Taq DNA Polymerase by Thermal Purification

[Objective] The paper was to improve the preparation efficacy of Taq DNA polymerase. [Method] Ni column was used to purify Taq DNA polymerase carrying with 6xHis tag,and recombined vector. Using the thermal-resistant characteristics of Taq DNA polymerase,the crude extract was treated at 75 ℃ for 1 h,and the activity of prepared enzyme solution was verified by PCR test. [Result] The recombinant pET-32A-Taq could highly express in BL21 （DE3） host bacteria and remove hybrid protein by thermal denaturation. The enzyme preparation with the activity further higher than purchased Taq DNA polymerase was obtained. [Conclusion] Taq DNA polymerase prepared by thermal purification method is simple with low cost,and can meet the needs of a large number of conventional PCR amplification.

Possible Role of DNA Polymerase beta in Protecting Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Against Cytotoxicity of Hydroquinone

Objective To explore the toxicological mechanism of hydroquinone in human bronchial epithelial cells and to investigate whether DNA polymerase beta is involved in protecting cells from damage caused by hydroquinone. Methods DNA polymerase beta knock-down cell line was established via RNA interference as an experimental group. Normal human bronchial epithelial cells and cells transfected with the empty vector of pEGFP-C1 were used as controls. Cells were treated with different concentrations of hydroquinone （ranged from 10 μmol/L to 120 μmol/L） for 4 hours. MTT assay and Comet assay [single-cell gel electrophoresis （SCGE）] were performed respectively to detect the toxicity of hydroquinone. Results assay showed that DNA polymerase beta knock-down cells treated with different concentrations of hydroquinone had a lower absorbance value at 490 nm than the control cells in a dose-dependant manner. Comet assay revealed that different concentrations of hydroquinone caused more severe DNA damage in DNA polymerase beta knock-down cell line than in control cells and there was no significant difference in the two control groups. Conclusions Hydroquinone has significant toxicity to human bronchial epithelial cells and causes DNA damage. DNA polymerase beta knock-down cell line appears more sensitive to hydroquinone than the control cells. The results suggest that DNA polymerase beta is involved in protecting cells from damage caused by hydroquinone.

Detection of bacterial DNA from cholesterol gallstones by nested primers polymerase chain reaction

AIM To search for bacterial DNA sequences in cholesterol gallstones with negative bacterial culture. METHODS DNA was extracted from cholesterol gallstones in gallbladders and nested primers polymerase chain reaction (NP PCR) was used to amplify bacterial gene fragments for identifying the existence of bacteria. The samples of bacterial DNA extracted from potentially causative or unrelated living bacteria were amplified in vitro as the standard markers and comparative 16S ribosomal RNA sequence analysis was made for bacterial identification. RESULTS The gallbladder gallstones of 30 patients were analyzed and bacterial DNA was found in 26 patients. Among them, gallstones with cholesterol content between 30%-69% were seen in 5 (5/5) patients, 70%-90% in 11 (11/14) patients, and more than 90% in 10 (10/11) patients. There was no difference either in cholesterol and water content of gallstones or in harboring bacterial DNA of gallstones. E.coli related DNA fragments appeared in the stones of 8 (26 67%) patients; propionibacteria type DNA in 7 (23 33%); and harbored bacterial gene fragments in 2 patients, similar to Streptococcus pyogenes . A more heterogeneous sequence collection was found in 7 (23 33%) patients, which could belong to multiple bacterial infections. Two (6 67%) patients had bacterial DNA with low molecular weight which might be related to some unidentified bacteria. CONCLUSION Most cholesterol gallstones harbor bacterial DNA. It is important to determine whether these microorganisms are innocent bystanders or active participants in cholesterol gallstone formation.

The fidelity of DNA synthesis by eukaryotic replicative and translesion synthesis polymerases

In their seminal publication describing the structure of the DNA double helix , Watson and Crick wrote what may be one of the greatest understatements in the scientific literature, namely that ＂It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material.＂ Half a century later, we more fully appreciate what a huge challenge it is to replicate six billion nucleotides with the accuracy needed to stably maintain the human genome over many generations. This challenge is perhaps greater than was realized 50 years ago, because subsequent studies have revealed that the genome can be destabilized not only by environmental stresses that generate a large number and variety of potentially cytotoxic and mutagenic lesions in DNA but also by various sequence motifs of normal DNA that present challenges to replication. Towards a better understanding of the many determinants of genome stability, this chapter reviews the fidelity with which undamaged and damaged DNA is copied, with a focus on the eukaryotic B- and Y-family DNA polymerases, and considers how this fidelity is achieved.

Flexibility in the order of action and in the enzymology of the nuclease, polymerases, and ligase of vertebrate non-homologous DNA end joining： relevance to cancer, aging, and the immune system

Nonhomologous DNA end joining （NHEJ） is the primary pathway for repair of double-strand DNA breaks in human cells and in multicellular eukaryotes. The causes of double-strand breaks often fragment the DNA at the site of damage, resulting in the loss of information there. NHEJ does not restore the lost information and may resect additional nucleotides during the repair process. The ability to repair a wide range of overhang and damage configurations reflects the flexibility of the nuclease, polymerases, and ligase of NHEJ. The flexibility of the individual components also explains the large number of ways in which NHEJ can repair any given pair of DNA ends. The loss of information locally at sites of NHEJ repair may contribute to cancer and aging, but the action by NHEJ ensures that entire segments of chromosomes are not lost.

The characteristics of DNA repair synthesis induced by DNA polymerase β in hepatoma cells after γ rays irradiation

AIM To investigate the effects of DNA repair synthesis induced by DNA polymerase β in hepatoma cells after γ ray irradiation. METHODS Cell nuclei were prepared from SMMC LTNM hepatoma which is a transplanted human liver cancer born on nude mice. Samples were irradiated with 60 Co γ rays at different doses or dose rates. N ethylmaleimide (NEM) and ddTTP were used as selective inhibitors to DNA polymerases. The reaction of DNA repair synthesis was carried out with the selective inhibitor test. RESULTS It was found that the 3H TTP incorporation in irradiated nuclei or calf thymus DNA was significantly higher than that in the non irradiated ones, under the conditions of DNA polymerase α or γ being inhibited. When NEM and ddTTP which selectively inhibits DNA polymerase β both existed in the DNA repair synthesis reaction mixture, the 3H TTP incorporation in irradiated DNA did not significantly increased. Furthermore, 3H TTP incorporation into DNA of SMMC LTNM hepatoma nuclei was higher than that of normal hepatocyte nuclei ( P <0 01). The DNA repair synthesis induced by DNA polymerase β reacted more fast in hepatoma nuclei than in hepatocyte nuclei. CONCLUSION The effects of DNA repair synthesis induced by DNA polymerase β in some tumor cells might be stronger than that in normal cells, which may facilitate the cells to repair DNA damages from radiation.

Rapid quantification of semen hepatitis B virus DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction

AIM： To examine the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for the quantification of hepatitis B virus （HBV） DNA in semen. METHODS： Hepatitis B viral DNA was isolated from HBV carriers＇ semen and sera using phenol extraction method and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit （Qiagen, Germany）. HBV DNA was detected by conventional PCR and quantified by TaqMan technology-based real-time PCR （quantitative polymerase chain reaction （qPCR））. The detection threshold was 200 copies of HBV DNA for conventional PCR and 10 copies of HBV DNA for real time PCR per reaction. RESULTS： Both methods of phenol extraction and QIAamp DNA blood mini kit were suitable for isolating HBV DNA from semen. The value of the detection thresholds was 500 copies of HBV DNA per mL in the semen. The viral loads were 7.5×10^7 and 1.67×10^7 copies of HBV DNA per mL in two HBV infected patients＇ sera, while 2.14×10^5 and 3.02×10^5 copies of HBV DNA per mL in the semen. CONCLUSION： Real-time PCR is a more sensitive and accurate method to detect and quantify HBV DNA in the semen.

基于中医证候与精液质量相关参数构建精子DNA碎片预测模型与验证

背景:中医证候与精液质量相关参数相结合,共同预测精子DNA碎片指数(DNA fragmentation index,DFI)异常增高的发生并绘制列线图,能显著提高临床的实操性与应用效能,为临床全面评估精液质量,采取积极干预措施以改善临床结局及制定个体化医疗方案提供依据。目的:探讨基于中医证候与精液质量相关参数构建精子DNA碎片的预测模型与验证。方法:回顾性分析2019年7月至2021年7月在广西壮族自治区南溪山医院中医男科接受中医证候诊断及精子DNA碎片率检查的不育患者共420例,据《人类精液检查与处理实验室手册》(第6版),将其中137例精子DFI>30%患者纳入精子DFI异常增高组,将283例精子DFI≤30%作为对照组;首先采用单因素分析筛选精子DFI异常增高的影响因素,然后采用套索算法(LASSO)校正因子共线性问题并筛选出最佳匹配因子后,将其纳入多因素向前逐步Logistic回归找出其独立影响因素并绘制列线图,最后采用受试者工作曲线、校准曲线、临床决策曲线、临床影响曲线对该预测模型进行区分度与准确度及临床应用效能验证。结果与结论:①单因素分析结果显示,年龄、体质量指数、前向运动率、精子总活率、精子浓度、精子形态学、肾阳虚衰证、湿热下注证、肾精不足证为引发精子DFI异常增高的影响因子(P<0.05);②通过LASSO回归进一步筛选出的最佳匹配因素为年龄、体质量指数、精子总活率、精子浓度、精子形态学、肾阳虚衰证、湿热下注证、肾精不足证(P<0.05);③多因素向前逐步Logistic回归结果显示年龄、体质量指数、精子浓度、精子总活率、湿热下注证、肾阳虚衰证共6项为引发精子DFI异常增高的独立影响因素;④受试者工作曲线显示,模型组曲线下面积为0.760(0.713,0.806),验证组曲线下面积为0.745(0.714,0.776),说明该预测模型具有较好的区分度;⑤校准曲线平均绝对误差0.040,Hosmer-Lemeshow检验P>0.05,表明该模型预测发生精子DFI异常增高的概率与实际发生精子DFI异常增高的概率无显著统计学差异,证实该模型具有较好的准确度;⑥临床决策曲线与临床影响曲线显示,模型组与验证组分别在阈概率值为0.08-0.84与0.09-0.78时具有临床最大净获益,且在该阈概率范围内具有较好的临床应用效能;⑦结果表明,年龄、体质量指数、精子浓度、精子总活率、湿热下注证、肾阳虚衰证为引发精子DFI异常增高的独立影响因素,通过其构建的临床预测模型列线图具有较好的临床预测价值与临床应用效能,可为临床全面评估精液质量、预后与干预及个体化医疗服务提供依据。

Comparison of real-time polymerase chain reaction with the COBAS Amplicor test for quantitation of hepatitis B virus DNA in serum samples

AIM:To compare the clinical performance of a real-time PCR assay with the COBAS Amplicor Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Monitor test for quantitation of HBV DNA in serum samples. METHODS: The reference sera of the Chinese National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products and the National Center for Clinical Laboratories of China, and 158 clinical serum samples were used in this study. The linearity, accuracy, reproducibility, assay time, and costs of the real-time PCR were evaluated and compared with those of the Cobas Amplicor test. RESULTS: The intra-assay and inter-assay variations of the real-time PCR ranged from 0.3% to 3.8% and 1.4% to 8.1%, respectively. The HBV DNA levels measured by the real-time PCR correlated very well with those obtained with the COBAS Amplicor test (r = 0.948). The real-time PCR HBV DNA kit was much cheaper and had a wider dynamic range. CONCLUSION: The real-time PCR assay is an excellent tool for monitoring of HBV DNA levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

YMDD variants of HBV DNA polymerase gene: Rapid detection and clinicopathoiogical analysis with long-term Iamivudine therapy after liver transplantation

AIM: To look for a rapid low-cost technique for the detection of HBV variants.METHODS: Two patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for HBV infection were treated with lamivudine (100 mg daily) and HBV infection recurred in the grafted livers. The patients were monitored intensively for liver enzymes, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA in serum. Liver biopsy was performed regularly. HBV DNA in a conserved polymerase domain (the YMDD locus) was amplified from serum of each patient by PCR and sequenced. HBV genotypes were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the PCR products generated from a fragment of the polymerase gene.RESULTS: YMDD wild-type HBV was detected in one patient by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing 19 mo after OLT, and YIDD mutant-type HBV in the other patient, 16 mo after OLT.CONCLUSION: PCR-RFLP assay is an accurate and simple method for genotyping lamivudine-resistant HBV variants.

DNA polymerase zeta （pol ζ） in higher eukaryotes

Most current knowledge about DNA polymerase zeta （pol ζ） comes from studies of the enzyme in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where pol ζ consists of a complex of the catalytic subunit Rev3 with Rev7, which associates with Revl. Most spontaneous and induced mutagenesis in yeast is dependent on these gene products, and yeast pol can mediate translesion DNA synthesis past some adducts in DNA templates. Study of the homologous gene products in higher eukaryotes is in a relatively early stage, but additional functions for the eukaryotic proteins are already apparent. Suppression of vertebrate REV3L function not only reduces induced point mutagenesis but also causes larger-scale genome instability by raising the frequency of spontaneous chromosome translocations. Disruption of Rev3L function is tolerated in Drosophila, Arabidopsis, and in vertebrate cell lines under some conditions, but is incompatible with mouse embryonic development. Functions for REV3L and REV7（MAD2B） in higher eukaryotes have been suggested not only in translesion DNA synthesis but also in some forms of homologous recombination, repair of interstrand DNA crosslinks, somatic hypermutation of immunoglobulin genes and cell-cycle control. This review discusses recent developments in these areas.