Nucleoside/nucleotide analogs that lack the 3′-hydroxy group are widely utilized for HIV therapy. These chain-terminating nucleoside analogs (CTNAs) block DNA synthesis after their incorporation into growing DNA, leading to the antiviral effects. However, they are also considered to be DNA damaging agents, and tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1, a DNA repair enzyme, is reportedly able to remove such CTNA-modifications of DNA. Here, we have synthesized phosphoramidite building blocks of representative CTNAs, such as acyclovir, abacavir, carbovir, and lamivudine, and oligonucleotides with the 3′-CTNAs were successfully synthesized on solid supports. Using the chemically synthesized oligonucleotides, we investigated the excision of the 3′-CTNAs in DNA by the human excision repair cross complementing protein 1-xeroderma pigmentosum group F (ERCC1-XPF) endonuclease, which is one of the main components of the nucleotide excision repair pathway. A biochemical analysis demonstrated that the ERCC1-XPF endonuclease cleaved 2–7 nt upstream from the 3′-blocking CTNAs, and that DNA synthesis by the Klenow fragment was resumed after the removal of the CTNAs, suggesting that ERCC1-XPF participates in the repair of the CTNA-induced DNA damage. Full article

Deamination of adenine occurs in DNA, RNA, and their precursors via a hydrolytic reaction and a nitrosative reaction. The generated deaminated products are potentially mutagenic because of their structural similarity to natural bases, which in turn leads to erroneous nucleotide pairing and subsequent disruption of cellular metabolism. Incorporation of deaminated precursors into the nucleic acid strand occurs during nucleotide synthesis by DNA and RNA polymerases or base modification by DNA- and/or RNA-editing enzymes during cellular functions. In such cases, removal of deaminated products from DNA and RNA by a nuclease might be required depending on the cellular function. One such enzyme, endonuclease V, recognizes deoxyinosine and cleaves 3' end of the damaged base in double-stranded DNA through an alternative excision repair mechanism in Escherichia coli, whereas in Homo sapiens, it recognizes and cleaves inosine in single-stranded RNA. However, to explore the role of endonuclease V in vivo, a detailed analysis of cell biology is required. Based on recent reports and developments on endonuclease V, we discuss the potential functions of endonuclease V in DNA repair and RNA metabolism. Full article