DNA polymerase η is a substrate for calpain: A possible mechanism for pol η retention in UV induced replication foci

Abstract

DNA polymerase η (pol η) is specifically required for translesion DNA synthesis across ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA lesions. Recruitment of this error-prone DNA polymerase is tightly regulated during replication to avoid mutagenesis and perturbation of fork progression. Here we report that pol η interacts with the calpain small subunit-1 (CAPNS1), in a yeast two-hybrid screening. This interaction is functional as demonstrated by the ability of endogenous calpain to mediate calcium-dependent cleavage of pol η in cell-free extracts and in living cells treated with a calcium ionophore. The proteolysis of pol η is found to occur at position 465 leading to a catalytically active truncated protein containing the PCNA-interacting motif PIP1. Unexpectedly, cell treatment with the specific calpain inhibitor calpeptin results in a decreased extent of pol η foci after UV irradiation, indicating that calpain positively regulates pol η accumulation in replication foci.