This gene encodes an essential enzyme of nucleotidemetabolism. The encoded protein forms a ubiquitous, homotrimeric enzyme that hydrolyzesdUTP to dUMP and pyrophosphate. This reaction serves two cellular purposes: providing a precursor (dUMP) for the synthesis of thymine nucleotides needed for DNA replication, and limiting intracellular pools of dUTP. Elevated levels of dUTP lead to increased incorporation of uracil into DNA, which induces extensive excision repair mediated by uracilglycosylase. This repair process, resulting in the removal and reincorporation of dUTP, is self-defeating and leads to DNA fragmentation and cell death. Alternative splicing of this gene leads to different isoforms that localize to either the mitochondrion or nucleus. A related pseudogene is located on chromosome 19.[5]
Structure
In humans, this gene encodes a homotrimeric enzyme with two isoforms characterized by their distinct subcellular localizations: the nuclear isoform (DUT-N) and mitochondrial isoform (DUT-M).[6][7][8]
Gene
Northern blot analysis reveals distinct mRNA transcripts for DUT-N (1.1 kb) and DUT-M (1.4 kb).[7] The isoforms are produced from alternative splicing at different 5' exons, with the first exon of DUT-N occurring 767 base pairs downstream of the first exon in DUT-M.[7][8] Regulation at different promoters has been proposed to account for the differential expression of these isoforms.[7]
Protein
The mature forms of DUT-N (22 kDa) and DUT-M (23 kDa) are nearly identical except for a short N-terminal region present in DUT-M. The DUT-M precursor (31 kDa) contains an arginine-rich, 69-residuemitochondrial targeting sequence which undergoes post-translational cleavage to effect mitochondrial import.[6][7][8] Meanwhile, the monopartite NLS sequence is critical for the function and nuclear localization of DUT-N, which would otherwise accumulate in the cytoplasm.[6][8] Though both isoforms contain the NLS, the sequence in DUT-M is sequestered away from cognate karyopherins.[6] The isoelectric points of DUT-N (6.0) and DUT-M (8.1) correspond to the pH of their respective subcellular compartments.[7]
DUT is a homotrimer with three active sites formed by each of its three subunits.[8] Typically, each subunit forms an eight-stranded barrel that swaps C-terminalβ-strands with the other subunits to assemble into the trimer structure. In addition to the β-strand swapping, these subunits interact via extended bimolecular interfaces and three-fold central channel.[9] As a member of the dUTPase family, DUT requires the presence of a divalentmetal ion such as Mg2+ for their enzymatic function.[10] DUT-N also contains a consensus cyclin-dependent kinase phosphorylation site that is phosphorylated at the serine as part of its cell cycle regulation.[7]
In addition to their different localizations, the two DUT isoforms display different expression patterns: while DUT-M is constitutively expressed, DUT-N is under cell cycle control and notably upregulated during S phase.[6][7] These expression patterns correspond with their roles in the DNA replication cycle of their respective genomes, and thus indicate different regulatory mechanisms affecting each isoform.[7]
Mechanism
The dUTP hydrolysis cycle can be outlined in the following four enzymatic steps: (i) fast substrate binding, (ii) isomerization of the enzyme-substrate complex into the catalytically competent conformation, (iii) hydrolysis of the substrate, and (iv) rapid, non-ordered release of the products.[12]
Clinical significance
Since many chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil treat neoplastic diseases, including head and neck cancer, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer, by targeting TS in thymidylate metabolism, DUT may protect against the cytotoxic side effects by countering dUTP accumulation.[7][8][11][13][14] At the same time, high levels of DUT-N have been associated with chemoresistance and faster tumor progression, and thus, could also serve as a prognosticmarker for overall survival and response to chemotherapy.[7][8][11][12][13] Similarly, DUT is significantly overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and may serve as a prognostic marker for the cancer.[15] Notably, DUT expression is regulated by the tumor suppressor gene p53 in order to promote apoptosis of tumor cells.<pmid19015155/> Abnormal DUT expression and localization has been speculated to promote cancer transformation.[8]
Interactions
DUT interacts with dUTP to catalyze its hydrolysis into dUMP and pyrophosphate.[5]E2F and Sp1 enhance DUT expression by binding its promoter, while p53 inhibits DUT transcription by binding its promoter. A putative NF-κB binding site was also identified in the DUT promoter.[14]
1 2 Persson R, Cedergren-Zeppezauer ES, Wilson KS (Dec 2001). "Homotrimeric dUTPases; structural solutions for specific recognition and hydrolysis of dUTP". Current Protein & Peptide Science. 2 (4): 287–300. doi:10.2174/1389203013381035. PMID12369926.
1 2 3 4 Ladner RD (Dec 2001). "The role of dUTPase and uracil-DNA repair in cancer chemotherapy". Current Protein & Peptide Science. 2 (4): 361–70. doi:10.2174/1389203013380991. PMID12374095.
1 2 Ladner RD, Lynch FJ, Groshen S, Xiong YP, Sherrod A, Caradonna SJ, Stoehlmacher J, Lenz HJ (Jul 2000). "dUTP nucleotidohydrolase isoform expression in normal and neoplastic tissues: association with survival and response to 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer". Cancer Research. 60 (13): 3493–503. PMID10910061.
↑ Takatori H, Yamashita T, Honda M, Nishino R, Arai K, Yamashita T, Takamura H, Ohta T, Zen Y, Kaneko S (Mar 2010). "dUTP pyrophosphatase expression correlates with a poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma". Liver International. 30 (3): 438–46. doi:10.1111/j.1478-3231.2009.02177.x. PMID19968781. S2CID26272889.
Further reading
Persson R, Cedergren-Zeppezauer ES, Wilson KS (Dec 2001). "Homotrimeric dUTPases; structural solutions for specific recognition and hydrolysis of dUTP". Current Protein & Peptide Science. 2 (4): 287–300. doi:10.2174/1389203013381035. PMID12369926.
Ladner RD (Dec 2001). "The role of dUTPase and uracil-DNA repair in cancer chemotherapy". Current Protein & Peptide Science. 2 (4): 361–70. doi:10.2174/1389203013380991. PMID12374095.
Cohen D, Heng HH, Shi XM, McIntosh EM, Tsui LC, Pearlman RE (Feb 1997). "Assignment of the human dUTPase gene (DUT) to chromosome 15q15-q21. 1 by fluorescence in situ hybridization". Genomics. 40 (1): 213–5. doi:10.1006/geno.1996.4540. PMID9070952.
Ladner RD, Lynch FJ, Groshen S, Xiong YP, Sherrod A, Caradonna SJ, Stoehlmacher J, Lenz HJ (Jul 2000). "dUTP nucleotidohydrolase isoform expression in normal and neoplastic tissues: association with survival and response to 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer". Cancer Research. 60 (13): 3493–503. PMID10910061.
Fiser A, Vértessy BG (Dec 2000). "Altered subunit communication in subfamilies of trimeric dUTPases". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 279 (2): 534–42. doi:10.1006/bbrc.2000.3994. PMID11118321.
Tinkelenberg BA, Fazzone W, Lynch FJ, Ladner RD (Jul 2003). "Identification of sequence determinants of human nuclear dUTPase isoform localization". Experimental Cell Research. 287 (1): 39–46. doi:10.1016/S0014-4827(03)00048-X. PMID12799180.
Studebaker AW, Lafuse WP, Kloesel R, Williams MV (Feb 2005). "Modulation of human dUTPase using small interfering RNA". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 327 (1): 306–10. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.12.021. PMID15629463.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.