REV1, a Y family DNA polymerase (pol), is involved in replicative bypass past DNA lesions, so-called translesion DNA synthesis. In addition to a structural role as a scaffold protein, REV1 has been proposed to play a catalytic role as a dCTP transferase in translesion DNA synthesis past abasic and guanine lesions in eukaryotes. To better understand the catalytic function of REV1 in guanine lesion bypass, purified recombinant human REV1 was studied with two series of guanine lesions, N 2 -alkylG adducts (in oligonucleotides) ranging in size from methyl (Me) to CH 2 (6-benzo[a]pyrenyl) (BP) and O 6 -alkylG adducts ranging from Me to 4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyl (Pob). REV1 readily produced 1-base incorporation opposite G and all G adducts except for O 6 -PobG, which caused almost complete blockage. Steadystate kinetic parameters (k cat /K m ) were similar for insertion of dCTP opposite G and N 2 -G adducts but were severely reduced opposite the O 6 -G adducts. REV1 showed apparent pre-steadystate burst kinetics for dCTP incorporation only opposite N 2 -BPG and little, if any, opposite G, N 2 -benzyl (Bz)G, or O 6 -BzG. The maximal polymerization rate (k pol 0.9 s Ű1 ) opposite N 2 -BPG was almost the same as opposite G, with only slightly decreased binding affinity to dCTP (2.5-fold). REV1 bound N 2 -BPG-adducted DNA 3-fold more tightly than unmodified G-containing DNA. These results and the lack of an elemental effect ((S p )-2-deoxycytidine 5-O-(1-thiotriphosphate)) suggest that the late steps after product formation (possibly product release) become rate-limiting in catalysis opposite N 2 -BPG. We conclude that human REV1, apparently the slowest Y family polymerase, is kinetically highly tolerant to N 2 -adduct at G but not to O 6 -adducts.Cellular DNA is continuously attacked by various endogenous and exogenous agents. Although the resulting lesions can be removed by versatile cellular repair systems, many DNA lesions escape repair and are usually present in replicating DNA. Facing DNA lesions during DNA replication, DNA polymerases often show unusual behavior, such as misinsertion, slippage, and blockage, which can give rise to mutations or cell death (1). Therefore, the characterization of interaction of DNA polymerases with DNA lesions is crucial for understanding the mechanism of mutagenesis in cells in detail (2). Human cells possess at least 15 different DNA polymerases, the physiological functions of most of which are still unclear. Replicative DNA polymerases, such as pol 2 âŁ, âŠ, and â, are intolerant of DNA distortions caused by many DNA lesions and thus are blocked (3). As a tolerance mechanism to this replication blockade, cells utilize the specialized translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases, which have a spacious active site to replicate past replication fork-blocking lesions (4). Many of human TLS DNA polymerases belong to the recently discovered Y family, including pol , pol , pol , and REV1 (5). Y family members often have different properties of bypass ability and fidelity opposite various DNA ...