p53 in mitochondria enhances the accuracy of DNA synthesis

M. Bakhanashvili, S. Grinberg, E. Bonda, A. J. Simon, S. Moshitch-Moshkovitz, G. Rahav

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mitochondrial localization of p53 was observed in stressed and unstressed cells. p53 is involved in DNA repair and apoptosis. It exerts physical and functional interactions with mitochondrial DNA and DNA polymerase γ (pol γ). The functional cooperation of p53 and pol γ during DNA synthesis was examined in the mitochondrial fraction of p53-null H1299 cells, as the source of pol γ. The results show that p53 may affect the accuracy of DNA synthesis in mitochondria: (1) the excision of a misincorporated nucleotide increases in the presence of (a) recombinant wild-type p53 (wtp53); (b) cytoplasmic fraction of LCC2 cells expressing endogenous wtp53 (but not specifically pre-depleted fraction); (c) cytoplasmic extract of H1299 cells overexpressing wtp53, but not exonuclease-deficient mutant p53-R175H. (2) Mitochondrial extracts of HCT116(p53+/+) cells display higher exonuclease activity compared with that of HCT116(p53-/-) cells. Addition of exogenous p53 complements the HCT116(p53-/-) mitochondrial extract mispair excision. Furthermore, the misincorporation was lower in the mitochondrial fraction of HCT116(p53+/+) cells as compared with that of HCT116(p53-/-) cells. (3) Irradiation-induced mitochondrial translocation of endogenous p53 in HCT116(p53+/+) cells correlates with the enhancement of error-correction activities. Taken together, the data suggest that p53 in mitochondria may be a component of an error-repair pathway and serve as guardian of the mitochondrial genome. The function of p53 in DNA repair and apoptosis is discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1865-1874
Number of pages10
JournalCell Death and Differentiation
Volume15
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgements. This research was supported by grant from Israel Cancer Association. We thank Novitsky Elena for excellent technical assistance.

Funding

Acknowledgements. This research was supported by grant from Israel Cancer Association. We thank Novitsky Elena for excellent technical assistance.

FundersFunder number
Israel Cancer Association

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'p53 in mitochondria enhances the accuracy of DNA synthesis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this