Preferential binding of ATR protein to UV-damaged DNA.
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Unsal-Kacmaz K, Makhov AM, Griffith JD, Sancar A
Preferential binding of ATR protein to UV-damaged DNA.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 May 14;99(10):6673-8.
- PubMed ID
- 12011431 [ View in PubMed]
- Abstract
The ATR protein is a member of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related kinase family and plays an important role in UV-induced DNA damage checkpoint response. Its role as a signal transducer in cell cycle checkpoint is well established, but it is currently unclear whether ATR functions as a damage sensor as well. Here we have purified the ATR protein and investigated its interaction with DNA by using biochemical analysis and electron microscopy. We find that ATR is a DNA-binding protein with higher affinity to UV-damaged than undamaged DNA. In addition, damaged DNA stimulates the kinase activity of ATR to a significantly higher level than undamaged DNA. Our data suggest that ATR may function as an initial sensor in the DNA damage checkpoint response.