Pif1 family helicases suppress genome instability at G-quadruplex motifs.
- Authors
- Type
- Published Article
- Journal
- Nature
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Volume
- 497
- Issue
- 7450
- Pages
- 458–462
- Identifiers
- DOI: 10.1038/nature12149
- Source
- Kowalczykowski Lab
- License
- Unknown
Abstract
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 helicase is the prototypical member of the Pif1 DNA helicase family, which is conserved from bacteria to humans. Here we show that exceptionally potent G-quadruplex unwinding is conserved among Pif1 helicases. Moreover, Pif1 helicases from organisms separated by more than 3 billion years of evolution suppressed DNA damage at G-quadruplex motifs in yeast. The G-quadruplex-induced damage generated in the absence of Pif1 helicases led to new genetic and epigenetic changes. Furthermore, when expressed in yeast, human PIF1 suppressed both G-quadruplex-associated DNA damage and telomere lengthening.