MSH2 — Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288c

Summary

YOL090W, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae MSH2 gene on chromosome XV, encodes a member of the MutS family of DNA mismatch repair proteins. The product is an ATP hydrolase that binds mispaired bases, G/T mismatches, heteroduplex DNA loops, Holliday junctions, Y-form DNA, and double-strand/single-strand DNA junctions, and acts as an ATP-dependent DNA damage sensor. MSH2 is associated with mitochondrial DNA repair, interstrand crosslink repair, mitotic and meiotic recombination, gene conversion, nucleotide excision repair, the DNA damage checkpoint, removal of nonhomologous ends, replication proofreading, and maintenance of DNA repeat elements. It localises to the nucleus, nuclear chromosome, and sites of double-strand breaks. The gene is linked to traits including quantum yield and oxidative stress, and to phenotypes such as altered mutation frequency, abnormal meiotic recombination, decreased replicative and chronological lifespan, and altered resistance to chemicals and metals.