Roles of trans-lesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy.
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2023-03
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Abstract
DNA damage tolerance and mutagenesis are hallmarks and enabling characteristics of neoplastic cells that drive tumorigenesis and allow cancer cells to resist therapy. The 'Y-family' trans-lesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases enable cells to replicate damaged genomes, thereby conferring DNA damage tolerance. Moreover, Y-family DNA polymerases are inherently error-prone and cause mutations. Therefore, TLS DNA polymerases are potential mediators of important tumorigenic phenotypes. The skin cancer-propensity syndrome xeroderma pigmentosum-variant (XPV) results from defects in the Y-family DNA Polymerase Pol eta (Polη) and compensatory deployment of alternative inappropriate DNA polymerases. However, the extent to which dysregulated TLS contributes to the underlying etiology of other human cancers is unclear. Here we consider the broad impact of TLS polymerases on tumorigenesis and cancer therapy. We survey the ways in which TLS DNA polymerases are pathologically altered in cancer. We summarize evidence that TLS polymerases shape cancer genomes, and review studies implicating dysregulated TLS as a driver of carcinogenesis. Because many cancer treatment regimens comprise DNA-damaging agents, pharmacological inhibition of TLS is an attractive strategy for sensitizing tumors to genotoxic therapies. Therefore, we discuss the pharmacological tractability of the TLS pathway and summarize recent progress on development of TLS inhibitors for therapeutic purposes.
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Anand, Jay, Lilly Chiou, Carly Sciandra, Xingyuan Zhang, Jiyong Hong, Di Wu, Pei Zhou, Cyrus Vaziri, et al. (2023). Roles of trans-lesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy. NAR cancer, 5(1). p. zcad005. 10.1093/narcan/zcad005 Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/26685.
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Scholars@Duke

Jiyong Hong
Research in the Hong group focuses on using chemical tools, in particular small molecules, to understand the signaling pathways in biology. We synthesize biologically interesting natural products and screen small molecule libraries to identify modulators of biological processes. Then, we explore their modes of action in order to investigate intracellular signaling pathways and identify novel targets for drug design. In addition, we design and develop unique and efficient synthetic strategies that will allow rapid access to molecular complexity and structural diversity. Through multidisciplinary approaches, including organic synthesis, molecular biology, and cell biology, the cellular components and molecular events that embody cancer, immune response, and GPCR signaling have systematically been explored. Compounds employed in these studies could also advance the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases.
- Synthesis of Natural Products and Study of Mode of Action: We synthesize biologically interesting natural products and explore the modes of action in order to investigate intracellular signaling pathways and identify novel targets for drug design. Completed target molecules include largazole (a marine natural product with HDAC inhibitory activity), brasilibactin A (a cytotoxic siderophore), manassantins A and B (natural products with anti-HIF-1 activity), and subglutinols A and B (natural products with immunosuppressive activity).
- Development of Novel Synthetic Methodology: We design and develop unique and efficient synthetic strategies which will allow rapid access to molecular complexity and structural diversity. A specific area of interest includes the development of novel methods for the stereoselective synthesis of substituted tetrahydrofurans and tetrahydropyrans.
- Screen of Small Molecule Libraries for Identification of Small Molecule Modulators of Biological Processes: With the advent of combinatorial chemistry and other synthetic technologies, it is feasible to prepare large collections of synthetic organic molecules. These libraries are useful in providing molecules that can be used to probe relevant biological pathways. We are interested in identification of modulators of biological processes, including drug abuse and neurodegenerative diseases.
Through multidisciplinary approaches, the cellular components and molecular events that embody cancer, immune response, and neurodegenerative diseases are systematically explored. Compounds employed in these studies could also advance the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases.

Pei Zhou
The Zhou lab focuses on the elucidation of the structure and dynamics of protein–protein and protein–ligand interactions and their functions in various cellular processes. Our current efforts are directed at enzymes and protein complexes involved in bacterial membrane biosynthesis, translesion DNA synthesis, co-transcriptional regulation, and host-pathogen interactions. Our investigations of these important cellular machineries have led to the development of novel antibiotics and cancer therapeutics, as well as the establishment of new biotechnology adventures.
The Zhou lab integrates a variety of biochemical and biophysical tools, including NMR, X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and enzymology. The lab has played a major role in the development and application of innovative NMR technologies, including high-resolution, high-dimensional spectral reconstruction techniques.
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