Oxidized pyrimidines in DNA are removed by a distinct base excision repair
pathway initiated by the DNA glycosylase-AP lyase hNth1 in human cells. We
have reconstituted this single-residue replacement pathway with recombinant
proteins, including the AP endonuclease HAP1/APE, DNA polymerase beta, and
DNA ligase III-XRCC1 heterodimer. With these proteins, the nucleotide exci
sion repair enzyme XPG serves as a cofactor for the efficient function of h
Nth1. XPG protein promotes binding of hNth1 to damaged DNA. The stimulation
of hNth1 activity is retained in XPG catalytic site mutants inactive in nu
cleotide excision repair. The data support the model that development of Co
ckayne syndrome in XP-G patients is related to inefficient excision of endo
genous oxidative DNA damage.