On the fidelity of DNA replication. Effect of metal activators during synthesis with avian myeloblastosis virus DNA polymerase.

The effect of metal activators on the fidelity of DNA synthesis has been examined. Using the DNA polymerase from avian myeloblastosis virus, the accuracy of Co2+-, M2+-, and Ni2+-activated DNA synthesis was determined with different polynucleotide templates. With poly[d(A-T)] as the template, the error frequency for dCMP incorporation was 1:1400, 1:1100, and 1:600 for Mg2+, Co2+, and Mn2+, respectively, at maximally activating concentrations. The error frequency was invariant with respect to [Mg2+] but increased with greater than activating concentrations of Co2+ and Mn2+. This increase resulted from differential rates of complementary and noncomplementary nucleotide incorporation. The enhanced error frequency was nonspecific as it occurred with all polynucleotide templates and with all noncomplementary deoxy- and ribonucleotides which were tested. Nearest neighbor analyses of the reaction products indicated that the noncomplementary deoxynucleotides were incorporated as single base substitutions. The fidelity of Ni2+-activated DNA synthesis was invariant with respect to [Ni2+] and was similar to that obtained using Mg2+. During DNA synthesis with Mg2+, the addition of Co2+, Mn2+, or Ni2+ resulted in a decrease in the fidelity of DNA synthesis. The relationship between decreases in the fidelity of DNA synthesis and metal mutagenesis, or carcinogenesis, or both, is considered.