DNA polymerase ζ limits chromosomal damage and promotes cell survival following aflatoxin exposure

Abstract

Significance Human dietary exposures to foods contaminated with fungi that synthesize aflatoxins present major health concerns and are associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinomas. Previous biochemical analyses revealed a prominent role for DNA polymerase ζ in replication bypass and mutagenesis of the long-lived aflatoxin DNA adduct. This investigation reveals an essential role for polymerase ζ in cell survival after aflatoxin exposure and that polymerase ζ limits aflatoxin-induced genomic instability and associated nuclear defects.