Requirement of Rad5 for DNA polymerase ζ-dependent translesion synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In yeast, Rad6-Rad18-dependent lesion bypass involves translesion synthesis (TLS) by DNA polymerases η or ζ or Rad5-dependent postreplication repair (PRR) in which error-free replication through the DNA lesion occurs by template switching. Rad5 functions in PRR via its two distinct activities - a ubiquitin ligase that promotes Mms2-Ubc13-mediated K63-linked polyubiquitination of PCNA at its lysine 164 residue and a DNA helicase that is specialized for replication fork regression. Both these activities are important for Rad5's ability to function in PRR. Here we provide evidence for the requirement of Rad5 in TLS mediated by Polζ. Using duplex plasmids carrying different site-specific DNA lesions - an abasic site, a cis-syn TT dimer, a (6-4) TT photoproduct, or a G-AAF adduct - we show that Rad5 is needed for Polζ-dependent TLS. Rad5 action in this role is likely to be structural, since neither the inactivation of its ubiquitin ligase activity nor the inactivation of its helicase activity impairs its role in TLS.