Mechanism of stimulation of DNA binding of the transcription factors by human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1

Abstract

Human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) is a multifunctional enzyme involved in base excision repair of DNA lesions and regulation of transcription factor activity. We investigated the molecular mechanism by which APE1 enhances the DNA binding activity of various transcription factors. Using biochemical and structural approaches, we demonstrated that APE1 interacts directly with DNA and transcription factors, modulating their redox state and increasing their affinity to DNA target sequences. The findings provide new insights into how APE1 coordinates DNA repair and gene expression control.