RAD6/sup +/ gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae codes for two mutationally separable deoxyribonucleic acid repair functions

The response of two mutant alleles of the RAD6/sup +/ gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to the ochre translational suppressor SUQ5 was determined. Both the ultraviolet sensitivity phenotype and the deficiency in ultraviolet-induced mutagenesis phenotype of the rad6-1 allelle were suppressed in a [psi/sup +/] background. For the rad6-3 allelle, only the ultraviolet-sensitivity phenotype was suppressible in a [psi/sup +/] background. An SUQ5 rad6-3 [psi/sup +/] strain that was examined showed the normal rad6-3 deficiency in ultraviolet-induced mutagenesis. The authors propose that the RAD6/sup +/ gene is divided into two cistrons, RAD6A and RAD6B. RAD6A codes for an activity responsible for the error-prone repair of ultraviolet-induced lesions in deoxyribonucleic acid but is not involved in a cell's resistance to the lethal effects of ultraviolet light. RAD6B codes for an activity essential for error-free repair of potentially lethal mutagenic damage