Functional insights gained from structural analyses of DNA duplexes that contain UV-damaged photoproducts

Ultraviolet photolesions endow DNA with distinct structural and dynamic properties. Biophysical studies of photoproduct-containing DNA have shown that these lesions affect the mutagenic properties of DNA and damage recognition by DNA repair systems. Recently obtained high-resolution cocrystal structures of damaged DNA bound to either DNA polymerase or DNA repair enzymes have enriched our understanding of the mechanisms by which DNA lesions are bypassed or recognized by DNA metabolizing proteins. Here, we summarize the results of these structural studies and discuss their implications for DNA metabolism.