CtIP maintains stability at common fragile sites and inverted repeats by end resection-independent endonuclease activity

Genomic instability in fragile sites-still adding the pieces

Common fragile sites (CFSs) are specific genomic regions in normal chromosomes that exhibit genomic instability under DNA replication stress. As replication stress is an early feature of cancer development, CFSs are involved in the signature of genomic instability found in malignant tumors. The landscape of CFSs is tissue-specific and differs under different replication stress inducers. Nevertheless, the features underlying CFS sensitivity to replication stress are shared. Here, we review the events generating replication stress and discuss the unique characteristics of CFS regions and the cellular responses aimed to stabilizing these regions.

Sae2/CtIP prevents R-loop accumulation in eukaryotic cells

The Sae2/CtIP protein is required for efficient processing of DNA double-strand breaks that initiate homologous recombination in eukaryotic cells. Sae2/CtIP is also important for survival of single-stranded Top1-induced lesions and CtIP is known to associate directly with transcription-associated complexes in mammalian cells. Here we investigate the role of Sae2/CtIP at single-strand lesions in budding yeast and in human cells and find that depletion of Sae2/CtIP promotes the accumulation of stalled RNA polymerase and RNA-DNA hybrids at sites of highly expressed genes. Overexpression of the RNA-DNA helicase Senataxin suppresses DNA damage sensitivity and R-loop accumulation in Sae2/CtIP-deficient cells, and a catalytic mutant of CtIP fails to complement this sensitivity, indicating a role for CtIP nuclease activity in the repair process. Based on this evidence, we propose that R-loop processing by 5' flap endonucleases is a necessary step in the stabilization and removal of nascent R-loop initiating structures in eukaryotic cells.

Role of the Mre11 Complex in Preserving Genome Integrity

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are hazardous lesions that threaten genome integrity and cell survival. The DNA damage response (DDR) safeguards the genome by sensing DSBs, halting cell cycle progression and promoting repair through either non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR). The Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2/Nbs1 (MRX/N) complex is central to the DDR through its structural, enzymatic, and signaling roles. The complex tethers DNA ends, activates the Tel1/ATM kinase, resolves protein-bound or hairpin-capped DNA ends, and maintains telomere homeostasis. In addition to its role at DSBs, MRX/N associates with unperturbed replication forks, as well as stalled replication forks, to ensure complete DNA synthesis and to prevent chromosome rearrangements. Here, we summarize the significant progress made in characterizing the MRX/N complex and its various activities in chromosome metabolism.

BLM prevents instability of structure-forming DNA sequences at common fragile sites

Genome instability often arises at common fragile sites (CFSs) leading to cancer-associated chromosomal rearrangements. However, the underlying mechanisms of how CFS protection is achieved is not well understood. We demonstrate that BLM plays an important role in the maintenance of genome stability of structure-forming AT-rich sequences derived from CFSs (CFS-AT). BLM deficiency leads to increased DSB formation and hyper mitotic recombination at CFS-AT and induces instability of the plasmids containing CFS-AT. We further showed that BLM is required for suppression of CFS breakage upon oncogene expression. Both helicase activity and ATR-mediated phosphorylation of BLM are important for preventing genetic instability at CFS-AT sequences. Furthermore, the role of BLM in protecting CFS-AT is not epistatic to that of FANCM, a translocase that is involved in preserving CFS stability. Loss of BLM helicase activity leads to drastic decrease of cell viability in FANCM deficient cells. We propose that BLM and FANCM utilize different mechanisms to remove DNA secondary structures forming at CFS-AT on replication forks, thereby preventing DSB formation and maintaining CFS stability.

Common fragile sites (CFSs) are large chromosomal regions which are more prone to breakage than other places in the genome. They are a part of normal chromosome structure and are present in all human beings, but are also hotspots for chromosomal rearrangement during oncogenesis. Understanding how CFSs are protected to prevent genome instability is thus extremely important for revealing the mechanism underlying cancer development. We found that Bloom syndrome protein BLM is involved in resolving DNA secondary structures that arise at AT-rich sequences in CFSs, suggesting a critical function of BLM in protecting CFSs. We also found that this BLM function is distinct from the role of Fanconi anemia protein FANCM in protecting CFSs, and loss of both BLM and FANCM activities leads to cell death. These studies reveal important mechanisms of the maintenance of CFS stability in mammalian cells.

PLK1 targets CtIP to promote microhomology-mediated end joining

Proper DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair is essential for maintaining genome integrity. Microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) is an error-prone repair mechanism, which introduces mutations at break sites and contributes to chromosomal translocations and telomere fusions, thus driving carcinogenesis. Mitotic kinases PLK1, CDK1 and Aurora A are important for supporting MMEJ and are often overexpressed in various tumors. However, the functional interplay between these kinases and MMEJ has not been explored. Here, we found that MMEJ is preferentially employed to fix DSBs in cells arrested in mitosis following nocodazole treatment. We further showed that the DSB repair factor CtIP is jointly phosphorylated by CDK1/Aurora A and PLK1. CDK1/Aurora A-mediated CtIP phosphorylation at serine 327 triggers CtIP binding to the PLK1 polo-box domain, which in turn facilitates PLK1 to phosphorylate CtIP mainly at serine 723. A PLK1 phosphor-mimic CtIP mutant fails to initiate extended end resection and is thus unable to mediate homologous recombination and the G2/M checkpoint but can mediate MMEJ. These data imply that PLK1 may target CtIP to promote error-prone MMEJ and inactivate the G2/M checkpoint. These findings have helped elucidate the oncogenic roles of these factors.

20 Years of Mre11 Biology: No End in Sight

The Mre11 nuclease has been the subject of intensive investigation for the past 20 years because of the central role that Mre11/Rad50 complexes play in genome maintenance. The last two decades of work on this complex has led to a much deeper understanding of the structure, biochemical activities, and regulation of Mre11/Rad50 complexes from archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotic cells. This review will discuss some of the important findings over recent years that have illuminated roles for the Mre11 nuclease in these different contexts as well as the insights from structural biology that have helped us to understand its mechanisms of action.

The concerted roles of FANCM and Rad52 in the protection of common fragile sites

Common fragile sites (CFSs) are prone to chromosomal breakage and are hotspots for chromosomal rearrangements in cancer cells. We uncovered a novel function of Fanconi anemia (FA) protein FANCM in the protection of CFSs that is independent of the FA core complex and the FANCI–FANCD2 complex. FANCM, along with its binding partners FAAP24 and MHF1/2, is recruited to CFS-derived structure-prone AT-rich sequences, where it suppresses DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation and mitotic recombination in a manner dependent on FANCM translocase activity. Interestingly, we also identified an indispensable function of Rad52 in the repair of DSBs at CFS-derived AT-rich sequences, despite its nonessential function in general homologous recombination (HR) in mammalian cells. Suppression of Rad52 expression in combination with FANCM knockout drastically reduces cell and tumor growth, suggesting a synthetic lethality interaction between these two genes, which offers a potential targeted treatment strategy for FANCM-deficient tumors with Rad52 inhibition.

Fanconi anemia core proteins have been linked to common fragile site stability. Here the authors shed light into the role of FANCM in common fragile site protection by suppressing double-strand break formation and mitotic recombination.

The MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 Complex Conducts the Orchestration of Damage Signaling and Outcomes to Stress in DNA Replication and Repair

Genomic instability in disease and its fidelity in health depend on the DNA damage response (DDR), regulated in part from the complex of meiotic recombination 11 homolog 1 (MRE11), ATP-binding cassette-ATPase (RAD50), and phosphopeptide-binding Nijmegen breakage syndrome protein 1 (NBS1). The MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex forms a multifunctional DDR machine. Within its network assemblies, MRN is the core conductor for the initial and sustained responses to DNA double-strand breaks, stalled replication forks, dysfunctional telomeres, and viral DNA infection. MRN can interfere with cancer therapy and is an attractive target for precision medicine. Its conformations change the paradigm whereby kinases initiate damage sensing. Delineated results reveal kinase activation, posttranslational targeting, functional scaffolding, conformations storing binding energy and enabling access, interactions with hub proteins such as replication protein A (RPA), and distinct networks at DNA breaks and forks. MRN biochemistry provides prototypic insights into how it initiates, implements, and regulates multifunctional responses to genomic stress.

Enhancement of BLM-DNA2-Mediated Long-Range DNA End Resection by CtIP

DNA double-strand break repair by homologous recombination entails the resection of DNA ends to reveal ssDNA tails, which are used to invade a homologous DNA template. CtIP and its yeast ortholog Sae2 regulate the nuclease activity of MRE11 in the initial stage of resection. Deletion of CtIP in the mouse or SAE2 in yeast engenders a more severe phenotype than MRE11 nuclease inactivation, indicative of a broader role of CtIP/Sae2. Here, we provide biochemical evidence that CtIP promotes long-range resection via the BLM-DNA2 pathway. Specifically, CtIP interacts with BLM and enhances its helicase activity, and it enhances DNA cleavage by DNA2. Thus, CtIP influences multiple aspects of end resection beyond MRE11 regulation.

SAMHD1 Promotes DNA End Resection to Facilitate DNA Repair by Homologous Recombination

DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination (HR) is initiated by CtIP/MRN-mediated DNA end resection to maintain genome integrity. SAMHD1 is a dNTP triphosphohydrolase, which restricts HIV-1 infection, and mutations are associated with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome and cancer. We show that SAMHD1 has a dNTPase-independent function in promoting DNA end resection to facilitate DSB repair by HR. SAMHD1 deficiency or Vpx-mediated degradation causes hypersensitivity to DSB-inducing agents, and SAMHD1 is recruited to DSBs. SAMHD1 complexes with CtIP via a conserved C-terminal domain and recruits CtIP to DSBs to facilitate end resection and HR. Significantly, a cancer-associated mutant with impaired CtIP interaction, but not dNTPase-inactive SAMHD1, fails to rescue the end resection impairment of SAMHD1 depletion. Our findings define a dNTPase-independent function for SAMHD1 in HR-mediated DSB repair by facilitating CtIP accrual to promote DNA end resection, providing insight into how SAMHD1 promotes genome integrity.

Multiple roles of the splicing complex SF3B in DNA end resection and homologous recombination

The appropriate repair of DNA double strand breaks is critical for genome maintenance. Thus, several cellular pathways collaborate to orchestrate a coordinated response. These include the repair of the breaks, which could be achieved by different mechanisms. A key protein involved in the regulation of the repair of broken chromosomes is CtIP. Here, we have found new partners of CtIP involved in the regulation of DNA break repair through affecting DNA end resection. We focus on the splicing complex SF3B and show that its depletion impairs DNA end resection and hampers homologous recombination. Functionally, SF3B controls CtIP function at, as least, two levels: by affecting CtIP mRNA levels and controlling CtIP recruitment to DNA breaks, in a way that requires ATM-mediated phosphorylation of SF3B2 at serine 289. Indeed, overexpression of CtIP rescues the resection defect caused by SF3B downregulation. Strikingly, other SF3B depletion phenotypes, such as impaired homologous recombination or cellular sensitivity to DNA damaging agents, are independent of CtIP levels, suggesting a more general role of SF3B in controlling the response to chromosome breaks.

Methods to Study DNA End Resection I: Recombinant Protein Purification

Accurate repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is carried out by homologous recombination. In order to repair DNA breaks by the recombination pathway, the 5'-terminated DNA strand at DSB sites must be first nucleolytically processed to produce 3'-overhang. The process is termed DNA end resection and involves the interplay of several nuclease complexes. DNA end resection commits DSB repair to the recombination pathway including a process termed single-strand annealing, as resected DNA ends are generally nonligatable by the competing nonhomologous end-joining machinery. Biochemical reconstitution experiments provided invaluable mechanistic insights into the DNA end resection pathways. In this chapter, we describe preparation procedures of key proteins involved in DNA end resection in human cells, including the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 complex, phosphorylated variant of CtIP, the DNA2 nuclease-helicase with its helicase partners Bloom (BLM) or Werner (WRN), as well as the single-stranded DNA-binding protein replication protein A. The availability of recombinant DNA end resection factors will help to further elucidate resection mechanisms and regulatory processes that may involve novel protein partners and posttranslational modifications.

Main steps in DNA double-strand break repair: an introduction to homologous recombination and related processes

DNA double-strand breaks arise accidentally upon exposure of DNA to radiation and chemicals or result from faulty DNA metabolic processes. DNA breaks can also be introduced in a programmed manner, such as during the maturation of the immune system, meiosis, or cancer chemo- or radiotherapy. Cells have developed a variety of repair pathways, which are fine-tuned to the specific needs of a cell. Accordingly, vegetative cells employ mechanisms that restore the integrity of broken DNA with the highest efficiency at the lowest cost of mutagenesis. In contrast, meiotic cells or developing lymphocytes exploit DNA breakage to generate diversity. Here, we review the main pathways of eukaryotic DNA double-strand break repair with the focus on homologous recombination and its various subpathways. We highlight the differences between homologous recombination and end-joining mechanisms including non-homologous end-joining and microhomology-mediated end-joining and offer insights into how these pathways are regulated. Finally, we introduce noncanonical functions of the recombination proteins, in particular during DNA replication stress.

Methods to Study DNA End Resection II: Biochemical Reconstitution Assays

DNA end resection initiates the largely accurate repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination. Specifically, recombination requires the formation of 3' overhangs at DSB sites, which is carried out by nucleases that specifically degrade 5'-terminated DNA. In most cases, DNA end resection is a two-step process, comprising of initial short-range followed by more processive long-range resection. In this chapter, we describe selected assays that reconstitute both the short- and long-range pathways. First, we define methods to study the exonuclease and endonuclease activities of the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex in conjunction with phosphorylated cofactor CtIP. This reaction is particularly important to initiate processing of DNA breaks and to recruit components belonging to the subsequent long-range pathway. Next, we describe assays that reconstitute the concerted reactions of Bloom (BLM) or Werner (WRN) helicases that function together with the DNA2 nuclease-helicase, and which are as a complex capable to resect DNA of kilobases in length. The reconstituted reactions allow us to understand how the resection pathways function at the molecular level. The assays will be invaluable to define regulatory mechanisms and to identify inhibitory compounds, which may be valuable in cancer therapy.

Genetic Separation of Sae2 Nuclease Activity from Mre11 Nuclease Functions in Budding Yeast

Sae2 promotes the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in Saccharomyces cerevisiae The role of Sae2 is linked to the Mre11/Rad50/Xrs2 (MRX) complex, which is important for the processing of DNA ends into single-stranded substrates for homologous recombination. Sae2 has intrinsic endonuclease activity, but the role of this activity has not been assessed independently from its functions in promoting Mre11 nuclease activity. Here we identify and characterize separation-of-function mutants that lack intrinsic nuclease activity or the ability to promote Mre11 endonucleolytic activity. We find that the ability of Sae2 to promote MRX nuclease functions is important for DNA damage survival, particularly in the absence of Dna2 nuclease activity. In contrast, Sae2 nuclease activity is essential for DNA repair when the Mre11 nuclease is compromised. Resection of DNA breaks is impaired when either Sae2 activity is blocked, suggesting roles for both Mre11 and Sae2 nuclease activities in promoting the processing of DNA ends in vivo Finally, both activities of Sae2 are important for sporulation, indicating that the processing of meiotic breaks requires both Mre11 and Sae2 nuclease activities.

Dna2 initiates resection at clean DNA double-strand breaks

Nucleolytic resection of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is essential for both checkpoint activation and homology-mediated repair; however, the precise mechanism of resection, especially the initiation step, remains incompletely understood. Resection of blocked ends with protein or chemical adducts is believed to be initiated by the MRN complex in conjunction with CtIP through internal cleavage of the 5' strand DNA. However, it is not clear whether resection of clean DSBs with free ends is also initiated by the same mechanism. Using the Xenopus nuclear extract system, here we show that the Dna2 nuclease directly initiates the resection of clean DSBs by cleaving the 5' strand DNA ∼10-20 nucleotides away from the ends. In the absence of Dna2, MRN together with CtIP mediate an alternative resection initiation pathway where the nuclease activity of MRN apparently directly cleaves the 5' strand DNA at more distal sites. MRN also facilitates resection initiation by promoting the recruitment of Dna2 and CtIP to the DNA substrate. The ssDNA-binding protein RPA promotes both Dna2- and CtIP-MRN-dependent resection initiation, but a RPA mutant can distinguish between these pathways. Our results strongly suggest that resection of blocked and clean DSBs is initiated via distinct mechanisms.

BRCA2 antagonizes classical and alternative nonhomologous end-joining to prevent gross genomic instability

BRCA2-deficient cells exhibit gross genomic instability, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we report that inactivation of BRCA2 but not RAD51 destabilizes RPA-coated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) structures at resected DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and greatly enhances the frequency of nuclear fragmentation following cell exposure to DNA damage. Importantly, these BRCA2-associated deficits are fueled by the aberrant activation of classical (c)- and alternative (alt)- nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ), and rely on the well-defined DNA damage signaling pathway involving the pro-c-NHEJ factor 53BP1 and its downstream effector RIF1. We further show that the 53BP1–RIF1 axis promotes toxic end-joining events via the retention of Artemis at DNA damage sites. Accordingly, loss of 53BP1, RIF1, or Artemis prolongs the stability of RPA-coated DSB intermediates in BRCA2-deficient cells and restores nuclear integrity. We propose that BRCA2 antagonizes 53BP1, RIF1, and Artemis-dependent c-NHEJ and alt-NHEJ to prevent gross genomic instability in a RAD51-independent manner.

The genomic instability phenotype characteristic of BRCA2-deficient cells is not fully mechanistically understood. Here the authors show BRCA2 inactivation destabilizes RPA-coated single-stranded DNA and leads to toxic non homologous end-joining events.

Homeostatic nuclear RAGE-ATM interaction is essential for efficient DNA repair

The integrity of genome is a prerequisite for healthy life. Indeed, defects in DNA repair have been associated with several human diseases, including tissue-fibrosis, neurodegeneration and cancer. Despite decades of extensive research, the spatio-mechanical processes of double-strand break (DSB)-repair, especially the auxiliary factor(s) that can stimulate accurate and timely repair, have remained elusive. Here, we report an ATM-kinase dependent, unforeseen function of the nuclear isoform of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (nRAGE) in DSB-repair. RAGE is phosphorylated at Serine³⁷⁶ and Serine³⁸⁹ by the ATM kinase and is recruited to the site of DNA-DSBs via an early DNA damage response. nRAGE preferentially co-localized with the MRE11 nuclease subunit of the MRN complex and orchestrates its nucleolytic activity to the ATR kinase signaling. This promotes efficient RPA2^S4-S8 and CHK1^S345 phosphorylation and thereby prevents cellular senescence, IPF and carcinoma formation. Accordingly, loss of RAGE causatively linked to perpetual DSBs signaling, cellular senescence and fibrosis. Importantly, in a mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (RAGE^−/−), reconstitution of RAGE efficiently restored DSB-repair and reversed pathological anomalies. Collectively, this study identifies nRAGE as a master regulator of DSB-repair, the absence of which orchestrates persistent DSB signaling to senescence, tissue-fibrosis and oncogenesis.

And-1 coordinates with CtIP for efficient homologous recombination and DNA damage checkpoint maintenance

To prevent genomic instability, cells respond to DNA lesions by blocking cell cycle progression and initiating DNA repair. Homologous recombination repair of DNA breaks requires CtIP-dependent resection of the DNA ends, which is thought to play a key role in activation of CHK1 kinase to induce the cell cycle checkpoint. But the mechanism is still not fully understood. Here, we establish that And-1, a replisome component, promotes DNA-end resection and DNA repair by homologous recombination. Mechanistically, And-1 interacts with CtIP and regulates CtIP recruitment to DNA damage sites. And-1 localizes to sites of DNA damage dependent on MDC1-RNF8 pathway, and is required for resistance to many DNA-damaging and replication stress-inducing agents. Furthermore, we show that And-1-CtIP axis is critically required for sustained ATR-CHK1 checkpoint signaling and for maintaining both the intra-S- and G2-phase checkpoints. Our findings thus identify And-1 as a novel DNA repair regulator and reveal how the replisome regulates the DNA damage induced checkpoint and genomic stability.

The DNA-Binding Polyamine Moiety in the Vectorized DNA Topoisomerase II Inhibitor F14512 Alters Reparability of the Consequent Enzyme-Linked DNA Double-Strand Breaks

Poisons of topoisomerase II (TOP2) kill cancer cells by preventing religation of intermediate DNA breaks during the enzymatic process and thus by accumulating enzyme-drug-DNA complexes called TOP2 cleavage-complex (TOP2cc). F14512 is a highly cytotoxic polyamine-vectorized TOP2 inhibitor derived from etoposide and currently in clinical trials. It was shown in vitro that F14512 has acquired DNA-binding properties and that the stability of TOP2cc was strongly increased. Paradoxically, at equitoxic concentrations in cells, F14512 induced less DNA breaks than etoposide. Here, we directly compared etoposide and F14512 for their rates of TOP2cc production and resolution in human cells. We report that targeting of TOP2α and not TOP2β impacts cell killing by F14512, contrary to etoposide that kills cells through targeting both isoforms. Then, we show that despite being more cytotoxic, F14512 is less efficient than etoposide at producing TOP2α cleavage-complex (TOP2αcc) in cells. Finally, we report that compared with TOP2αcc mediated by etoposide, those generated by F14512 persist longer in the genome, are not dependent on TDP2 for cleaning break ends from TOP2α, are channeled to a larger extent to resection-based repair processes relying on CtIP and BRCA1 and promote RAD51 recruitment to damaged chromatin. In addition to the addressing of F14512 to the polyamine transport system, the properties uncovered here would be particularly valuable for a therapeutic usage of this new anticancer compound. More generally, the concept of increasing drug cytotoxicity by switching the repair mode of the induced DNA lesions via addition of a DNA-binding moiety deserves further developments. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(10); 2166-77. ©2017 AACR.

CtIP/Ctp1/Sae2, molecular form fit for function

Vertebrate CtIP, and its fission yeast (Ctp1), budding yeast (Sae2) and plant (Com1) orthologs have emerged as key regulatory molecules in cellular responses to DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). By modulating the nucleolytic 5'-3' resection activity of the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 (MRN) DSB repair processing and signaling complex, CtIP/Ctp1/Sae2/Com1 is integral to the channeling of DNA double strand breaks through DSB repair by homologous recombination (HR). Nearly two decades since its discovery, emerging new data are defining the molecular underpinnings for CtIP DSB repair regulatory activities. CtIP homologs are largely intrinsically unstructured proteins comprised of expanded regions of low complexity sequence, rather than defined folded domains typical of DNA damage metabolizing enzymes and nucleases. A compact structurally conserved N-terminus forms a functionally critical tetrameric helical dimer of dimers (THDD) region that bridges CtIP oligomers, and is flexibly appended to a conserved C-terminal Sae2-homology DNA binding and DSB repair pathway choice regulatory hub which influences nucleolytic activities of the MRN core nuclease complex. The emerging evidence from structural, biophysical, and biological studies converges on CtIP having functional roles in DSB repair that include: 1) dynamic DNA strand coordination through direct DNA binding and DNA bridging activities, 2) MRN nuclease complex cofactor functions that direct MRN endonucleolytic cleavage of protein-blocked DSB ends and 3) acting as a protein binding hub targeted by the cell cycle regulatory apparatus, which influences CtIP expression and activity via layers of post-translational modifications, protein-protein interactions and DNA binding.

Control of structure-specific endonucleases to maintain genome stability

Structure-specific endonucleases (SSEs) have key roles in DNA replication, recombination and repair, and emerging roles in transcription. These enzymes have specificity for DNA secondary structure rather than for sequence, and therefore their activity must be precisely controlled to ensure genome stability. In this Review, we discuss how SSEs are controlled as part of genome maintenance pathways in eukaryotes, with an emphasis on the elaborate mechanisms that regulate the members of the major SSE families - including the xeroderma pigmentosum group F-complementing protein (XPF) and MMS and UV-sensitive protein 81 (MUS81)-dependent nucleases, and the flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1), XPG and XPG-like endonuclease 1 (GEN1) enzymes - during processes such as DNA adduct repair, Holliday junction processing and replication stress. We also discuss newly characterized connections between SSEs and other classes of DNA-remodelling enzymes and cell cycle control machineries, which reveal the importance of SSE scaffolds such as the synthetic lethal of unknown function 4 (SLX4) tumour suppressor for the maintenance of genome stability.

Nonhomologous End-Joining with Minimal Sequence Loss Is Promoted by the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1-Ctp1 Complex in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

While the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex has known roles in repair processes like homologous recombination and microhomology-mediated end-joining, its role in nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) is unclear as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and mammals have different requirements for repairing cut DNA ends. Most double-strand breaks (DSBs) require nucleolytic processing prior to DNA ligation. Therefore, we studied repair using the Hermes transposon, whose excision leaves a DSB capped by hairpin ends similar to structures generated by palindromes and trinucleotide repeats. We generated single Hermes insertions using a novel S. pombe transient transfection system, and used Hermes excision to show a requirement for MRN in the NHEJ of nonligatable ends. NHEJ repair was indicated by the >1000-fold decrease in excision in cells lacking Ku or DNA ligase 4. Most repaired excision sites had <5 bp of sequence loss or mutation, characteristic for NHEJ and similar excision events in metazoans, and in contrast to the more extensive loss seen in S. cerevisiaeS. pombe NHEJ was reduced >1000-fold in cells lacking each MRN subunit, and loss of MRN-associated Ctp1 caused a 30-fold reduction. An Mre11 dimer is thought to hold DNA ends together for repair, and Mre11 dimerization domain mutations reduced repair 300-fold. In contrast, a mre11 mutant defective in endonucleolytic activity, the same mutant lacking Ctp1, or the triple mutant also lacking the putative hairpin nuclease Pso2 showed wild-type levels of repair. Thus, MRN may act to recruit the hairpin opening activity that allows subsequent repair.

Microhomology-mediated end joining: new players join the team

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious type of DNA damage in cells arising from endogenous and exogenous attacks on the genomic DNA. Timely and properly repair of DSBs is important for genomic integrity and survival. MMEJ is an error-prone repair mechanism for DSBs, which relies on exposed microhomologous sequence flanking broken junction to fix DSBs in a Ku- and ligase IV-independent manner. Recently, significant progress has been made in MMEJ mechanism study. In this review, we will summarize its biochemical activities of several newly identified MMEJ factors and their biological significance.

CRISPR/Cas9-Induced (CTG⋅CAG)n Repeat Instability in the Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Locus: Implications for Therapeutic Genome Editing

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by (CTG⋅CAG)n-repeat expansion within the DMPK gene and thought to be mediated by a toxic RNA gain of function. Current attempts to develop therapy for this disease mainly aim at destroying or blocking abnormal properties of mutant DMPK (CUG)n RNA. Here, we explored a DNA-directed strategy and demonstrate that single clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-cleavage in either its 5' or 3' unique flank promotes uncontrollable deletion of large segments from the expanded trinucleotide repeat, rather than formation of short indels usually seen after double-strand break repair. Complete and precise excision of the repeat tract from normal and large expanded DMPK alleles in myoblasts from unaffected individuals, DM1 patients, and a DM1 mouse model could be achieved at high frequency by dual CRISPR/Cas9-cleavage at either side of the (CTG⋅CAG)n sequence. Importantly, removal of the repeat appeared to have no detrimental effects on the expression of genes in the DM1 locus. Moreover, myogenic capacity, nucleocytoplasmic distribution, and abnormal RNP-binding behavior of transcripts from the edited DMPK gene were normalized. Dual sgRNA-guided excision of the (CTG⋅CAG)n tract by CRISPR/Cas9 technology is applicable for developing isogenic cell lines for research and may provide new therapeutic opportunities for patients with DM1.

Phosphorylated CtIP Functions as a Co-factor of the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 Endonuclease in DNA End Resection

To repair a DNA double-strand break (DSB) by homologous recombination (HR), the 5'-terminated strand of the DSB must be resected. The human MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) and CtIP proteins were implicated in the initiation of DNA end resection, but the underlying mechanism remained undefined. Here, we show that CtIP is a co-factor of the MRE11 endonuclease activity within the MRN complex. This function is absolutely dependent on CtIP phosphorylation that includes the key cyclin-dependent kinase target motif at Thr-847. Unlike in yeast, where the Xrs2/NBS1 subunit is dispensable in vitro, NBS1 is absolutely required in the human system. The MRE11 endonuclease in conjunction with RAD50, NBS1, and phosphorylated CtIP preferentially cleaves 5'-terminated DNA strands near DSBs. Our results define the initial step of HR that is particularly relevant for the processing of DSBs bearing protein blocks.

Replication stalling and DNA microsatellite instability

Microsatellites are short, tandemly repeated DNA motifs of 1-6 nucleotides, also termed simple sequence repeats (SRSs) or short tandem repeats (STRs). Collectively, these repeats comprise approximately 3% of the human genome Subramanian et al. (2003), Lander and Lander (2001) [1,2], and represent a large reservoir of loci highly prone to mutations Sun et al. (2012), Ellegren (2004) [3,4] that contribute to human evolution and disease. Microsatellites are known to stall and reverse replication forks in model systems Pelletier et al. (2003), Samadashwily et al. (1997), Kerrest et al. (2009) [5-7], and are hotspots of chromosomal double strand breaks (DSBs). We briefly review the relationship of these repeated sequences to replication stalling and genome instability, and present recent data on the impact of replication stress on DNA fragility at microsatellites in vivo.

Differences in the recruitment of DNA repair proteins at subtelomeric and interstitial I-SceI endonuclease-induced DNA double-strand breaks

Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures that are required to protect chromosome ends. Dysfunctional telomeres are recognized as DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), and elicit the activation of a DNA damage response (DDR). We have previously reported that DSBs near telomeres are poorly repaired, resulting in a high frequency of large deletions and gross chromosome rearrangements (GCRs). Our previous genetic studies have demonstrated that this sensitivity of telomeric regions to DSBs is a result of excessive processing. In the current study, we have further investigated the sensitivity of telomeric regions to DSBs through the analysis of repair proteins associated with DSBs at interstitial and telomeric sites. Following the inducible expression of I-SceI endonuclease, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and real-time quantitative PCR were used to compare the recruitment of repair proteins at I-SceI-induced DSBs at interstitial and subtelomeric sites. We observed that proteins that are specifically associated with processing of DSBs during homologous recombination repair, RAD51, BRCA1, and CtIP, are present at a much greater abundance at subtelomeric DSBs. In contrast, Ku70, which is specifically involved in classical nonhomologous end joining, showed no difference at interstitial and subtelomeric DSBs. Importantly, ATM was lower in abundance at subtelomeric DSBs, while ATR was in greater abundance at subtelomeric DSBs, consistent with the accumulation of processed DSBs near telomeres, since processing is accompanied by a transition from ATM to ATR binding. Combined, our results suggest that excessive processing is responsible for the increased frequency of large deletions and GCRs at DSBs near telomeres.

Nbs1 Converts the Human Mre11/Rad50 Nuclease Complex into an Endo/Exonuclease Machine Specific for Protein-DNA Adducts

The human Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 (hMRN) complex is critical for the sensing, processing, and signaling of DNA double-strand breaks. The nuclease activity of Mre11 is essential for mammalian development and cell viability, although the regulation and substrate specificity of Mre11 have been difficult to define. Here we show that hMRN catalyzes sequential endonucleolytic and exonucleolytic activities on both 5' and 3' strands of DNA ends containing protein adducts, and that Nbs1, ATP, and adducts are essential for this function. In contrast, Nbs1 inhibits Mre11/Rad50-catalyzed 3'-to-5' exonucleolytic degradation of clean DNA ends. The hMRN endonucleolytic cleavage events are further stimulated by the phosphorylated form of the human C-terminal binding protein-interacting protein (CtIP) DNA repair enzyme, establishing a role for CtIP in regulating hMRN activity. These results illuminate the important role of Nbs1 and CtIP in determining the substrates and consequences of human Mre11/Rad50 nuclease activities on protein-DNA lesions.

Coordinated nuclease activities counteract Ku at single-ended DNA double-strand breaks

Repair of single-ended DNA double-strand breaks (seDSBs) by homologous recombination (HR) requires the generation of a 3' single-strand DNA overhang by exonuclease activities in a process called DNA resection. However, it is anticipated that the highly abundant DNA end-binding protein Ku sequesters seDSBs and shields them from exonuclease activities. Despite pioneering works in yeast, it is unclear how mammalian cells counteract Ku at seDSBs to allow HR to proceed. Here we show that in human cells, ATM-dependent phosphorylation of CtIP and the epistatic and coordinated actions of MRE11 and CtIP nuclease activities are required to limit the stable loading of Ku on seDSBs. We also provide evidence for a hitherto unsuspected additional mechanism that contributes to prevent Ku accumulation at seDSBs, acting downstream of MRE11 endonuclease activity and in parallel with MRE11 exonuclease activity. Finally, we show that Ku persistence at seDSBs compromises Rad51 focus assembly but not DNA resection.

Eukaryotic resectosomes: A single-molecule perspective

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) disrupt the physical and genetic continuity of the genome. If unrepaired, DSBs can lead to cellular dysfunction and malignant transformation. Homologous recombination (HR) is a universally conserved DSB repair mechanism that employs the information in a sister chromatid to catalyze error-free DSB repair. To initiate HR, cells assemble the resectosome: a multi-protein complex composed of helicases, nucleases, and regulatory proteins. The resectosome nucleolytically degrades (resects) the free DNA ends for downstream homologous recombination. Several decades of intense research have identified the core resectosome components in eukaryotes, archaea, and bacteria. More recently, these proteins have been characterized via single-molecule approaches. Here, we focus on recent single-molecule studies that have begun to unravel how nucleases, helicases, processivity factors, and other regulatory proteins dictate the extent and efficiency of DNA resection in eukaryotic cells. We conclude with a discussion of outstanding questions that can be addressed via single-molecule approaches.

Sharpening the ends for repair: mechanisms and regulation of DNA resection

DNA end resection is a key process in the cellular response to DNA double-strand break damage that is essential for genome maintenance and cell survival. Resection involves selective processing of 5' ends of broken DNA to generate ssDNA overhangs, which in turn control both DNA repair and checkpoint signaling. DNA resection is the first step in homologous recombination-mediated repair and a prerequisite for the activation of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related (ATR)-dependent checkpoint that coordinates repair with cell cycle progression and other cellular processes. Resection occurs in a cell cycle-dependent manner and is regulated by multiple factors to ensure an optimal amount of ssDNA required for proper repair and genome stability. Here, we review the latest findings on the molecular mechanisms and regulation of the DNA end resection process and their implications for cancer formation and treatment.

Ctp1-dependent clipping and resection of DNA double-strand breaks by Mre11 endonuclease complex are not genetically separable

Homologous recombination (HR) repair of programmed meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) requires endonucleolytic clipping of Rec12^Spo11-oligonucleotides from 5′ DNA ends followed by resection to generate invasive 3′ single-stranded DNA tails. The Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) endonuclease and Ctp1 (CtIP and Sae2 ortholog) are required for both activities in fission yeast but whether they are genetically separable is controversial. Here, we investigate the mitotic DSB repair properties of Ctp1 C-terminal domain (ctp1-CD) mutants that were reported to be specifically clipping deficient. These mutants are sensitive to many clastogens, including those that create DSBs devoid of covalently bound proteins. These sensitivities are suppressed by genetically eliminating Ku nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) protein, indicating that Ctp1-dependent clipping by MRN is required for Ku removal from DNA ends. However, this rescue requires Exo1 resection activity, implying that Ctp1-dependent resection by MRN is defective in ctp1-CD mutants. The ctp1-CD mutants tolerate one but not multiple broken replication forks, and they are highly reliant on the Chk1-mediated cell cycle checkpoint arrest, indicating that HR repair is inefficient. We conclude that the C-terminal domain of Ctp1 is required for both efficient clipping and resection of DSBs by MRN and these activities are mechanistically similar.

DNA End Resection: Facts and Mechanisms

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which arise following exposure to a number of endogenous and exogenous agents, can be repaired by either the homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathways in eukaryotic cells. A vital step in HR repair is DNA end resection, which generates a long 3′ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) tail that can invade the homologous DNA strand. The generation of 3′ ssDNA is not only essential for HR repair, but also promotes activation of the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR). Multiple factors, including the MRN/X complex, C-terminal-binding protein interacting protein (CtIP)/Sae2, exonuclease 1 (EXO1), Bloom syndrome protein (BLM)/Sgs1, DNA2 nuclease/helicase, and several chromatin remodelers, cooperate to complete the process of end resection. Here we review the basic machinery involved in DNA end resection in eukaryotic cells.

FANCJ is essential to maintain microsatellite structure genome-wide during replication stress

Microsatellite DNAs that form non-B structures are implicated in replication fork stalling, DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and human disease. Fanconi anemia (FA) is an inherited disorder in which mutations in at least nineteen genes are responsible for the phenotypes of genome instability and cancer predisposition. FA pathway proteins are active in the resolution of non-B DNA structures including interstrand crosslinks, G quadruplexes and DNA triplexes. In FANCJ helicase depleted cells, we show that hydroxyurea or aphidicolin treatment leads to loss of microsatellite polymerase chain reaction signals and to chromosome recombination at an ectopic hairpin forming CTG/CAG repeat in the HeLa genome. Moreover, diverse endogenous microsatellite signals were also lost upon replication stress after FANCJ depletion, and in FANCJ null patient cells. The phenotype of microsatellite signal instability is specific for FANCJ apart from the intact FA pathway, and is consistent with DSBs at microsatellites genome-wide in FANCJ depleted cells following replication stress.

Mechanism and regulation of DNA end resection in eukaryotes

The repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination (HR) is initiated by nucleolytic degradation of the 5'-terminated strands in a process termed end resection. End resection generates 3'-single-stranded DNA tails, substrates for Rad51 to catalyze homologous pairing and DNA strand exchange, and for activation of the DNA damage checkpoint. The commonly accepted view is that end resection occurs by a two-step mechanism. In the first step, Sae2/CtIP activates the Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2/Nbs1 (MRX/N) complex to endonucleolytically cleave the 5'-terminated DNA strands close to break ends, and in the second step Exo1 and/or Dna2 nucleases extend the resected tracts to produce long 3'-ssDNA-tailed intermediates. Initiation of resection commits a cell to repair a DSB by HR because long ssDNA overhangs are poor substrates for non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Thus, the initiation of end resection has emerged as a critical control point for repair pathway choice. Here, I review recent studies on the mechanism of end resection and how this process is regulated to ensure the most appropriate repair outcome.

The structure of ends determines the pathway choice and Mre11 nuclease dependency of DNA double-strand break repair

The key event in the choice of repair pathways for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is the initial processing of ends. Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) involves limited processing, but homology-dependent repair (HDR) requires extensive resection of the 5′ strand. How cells decide if an end is channeled to resection or NHEJ is not well understood. We hypothesize that the structure of ends is a major determinant and tested this hypothesis with model DNA substrates in Xenopus egg extracts. While ends with normal nucleotides are efficiently channeled to NHEJ, ends with damaged nucleotides or bulky adducts are channeled to resection. Resection is dependent on Mre11, but its nuclease activity is critical only for ends with 5′ bulky adducts. CtIP is absolutely required for activating the nuclease-dependent mechanism of Mre11 but not the nuclease-independent mechanism. Together, these findings suggest that the structure of ends is a major determinant for the pathway choice of DSB repair and the Mre11 nuclease dependency of resection.

MRN, CtIP, and BRCA1 mediate repair of topoisomerase II-DNA adducts

Repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) with complex ends poses a special challenge, as additional processing is required before DNA ligation. For example, protein-DNA adducts must be removed to allow repair by either nonhomologous end joining or homology-directed repair. Here, we investigated the processing of topoisomerase II (Top2)-DNA adducts induced by treatment with the chemotherapeutic agent etoposide. Through biochemical analysis in Xenopus laevis egg extracts, we establish that the MRN (Mre11, Rad50, and Nbs1) complex, CtIP, and BRCA1 are required for both the removal of Top2-DNA adducts and the subsequent resection of Top2-adducted DSB ends. Moreover, the interaction between CtIP and BRCA1, although dispensable for resection of endonuclease-generated DSB ends, is required for resection of Top2-adducted DSBs, as well as for cellular resistance to etoposide during genomic DNA replication.

Mre11-Sae2 and RPA Collaborate to Prevent Palindromic Gene Amplification

Foldback priming at DNA double-stranded breaks is one mechanism proposed to initiate palindromic gene amplification, a common feature of cancer cells. Here, we show that small (5-9 bp) inverted repeats drive the formation of large palindromic duplications, the major class of chromosomal rearrangements recovered from yeast cells lacking Sae2 or the Mre11 nuclease. RPA dysfunction increased the frequency of palindromic duplications in Sae2 or Mre11 nuclease-deficient cells by ∼ 1,000-fold, consistent with intra-strand annealing to create a hairpin-capped chromosome that is subsequently replicated to form a dicentric isochromosome. The palindromic duplications were frequently associated with duplication of a second chromosome region bounded by a repeated sequence and a telomere, suggesting the dicentric chromosome breaks and repairs by recombination between dispersed repeats to acquire a telomere. We propose secondary structures within single-stranded DNA are potent instigators of genome instability, and RPA and Mre11-Sae2 play important roles in preventing their formation and propagation, respectively.

Damage-induced BRCA1 phosphorylation by Chk2 contributes to the timing of end resection

The BRCA1 tumor suppressor plays an important role in homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA double-strand-break (DSB) repair. BRCA1 is phosphorylated by Chk2 kinase upon γ-irradiation, but the role of Chk2 phosphorylation is not understood. Here, we report that abrogation of Chk2 phosphorylation on BRCA1 delays end resection and the dispersion of BRCA1 from DSBs but does not affect the assembly of Mre11/Rad50/NBS1 (MRN) and CtIP at DSBs. Moreover, we show that BRCA1 is ubiquitinated by SCF(Skp2) and that abrogation of Chk2 phosphorylation impairs its ubiquitination. Our study suggests that BRCA1 is more than a scaffold protein to assemble HR repair proteins at DSBs, but that Chk2 phosphorylation of BRCA1 also serves as a built-in clock for HR repair of DSBs. BRCA1 is known to inhibit Mre11 nuclease activity. SCF(Skp2) activity appears at late G1 and peaks at S/G2, and is known to ubiquitinate phosphodegron motifs. The removal of BRCA1 from DSBs by SCF(Skp2)-mediated degradation terminates BRCA1-mediated inhibition of Mre11 nuclease activity, allowing for end resection and restricting the initiation of HR to the S/G2 phases of the cell cycle.

What is the DNA repair defect underlying Fanconi anemia?

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare human genetic disease characterized by bone marrow failure, cancer predisposition, and genomic instability. It has been known for many years that FA patient-derived cells are exquisitely sensitive to DNA interstrand cross-linking agents such as cisplatin and mitomycin C. On this basis, it was widely assumed that failure to repair endogenous interstrand cross-links (ICLs) causes FA, although the endogenous mutagen that generates these lesions remained elusive. Recent genetic evidence now suggests that endogenous aldehydes are the driving force behind FA. Importantly, aldehydes cause a variety of DNA lesions, including ICLs and DNA protein cross-links (DPCs), re-kindling the debate about which DNA lesions cause FA. In this review, we discuss new developments in our understanding of DPC and ICL repair, and how these findings bear on the question of which DNA lesion underlies FA.

Relative contribution of four nucleases, CtIP, Dna2, Exo1 and Mre11, to the initial step of DNA double-strand break repair by homologous recombination in both the chicken DT40 and human TK6 cell lines

Homologous recombination (HR) is initiated by double-strand break (DSB) resection, during which DSBs are processed by nucleases to generate 3' single-strand DNA. DSB resection is initiated by CtIP and Mre11 followed by long-range resection by Dna2 and Exo1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To analyze the relative contribution of four nucleases, CtIP, Mre11, Dna2 and Exo1, to DSB resection, we disrupted genes encoding these nucleases in chicken DT40 cells. CtIP and Dna2 are required for DSB resection, whereas Exo1 is dispensable even in the absence of Dna2, which observation agrees with no developmental defect in Exo1-deficient mice. Despite the critical role of Mre11 in DSB resection in S. cerevisiae, loss of Mre11 only modestly impairs DSB resection in DT40 cells. To further test the role of CtIP and Mre11 in other species, we conditionally disrupted CtIP and MRE11 genes in the human TK6 B cell line. As with DT40 cells, CtIP contributes to DSB resection considerably more significantly than Mre11 in TK6 cells. Considering the critical role of Mre11 in HR, this study suggests that Mre11 is involved in a mechanism other than DSB resection. In summary, CtIP and Dna2 are sufficient for DSB resection to ensure efficient DSB repair by HR.

The Deubiquitylating Enzyme USP4 Cooperates with CtIP in DNA Double-Strand Break End Resection

DNA end resection is a highly regulated and critical step in DNA double-stranded break (DSB) repair. In higher eukaryotes, DSB resection is initiated by the collaborative action of CtIP and the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex. Here, we find that the deubiquitylating enzyme USP4 directly participates in DSB resection and homologous recombination (HR). USP4 confers resistance to DNA damage-inducing agents. Mechanistically, USP4 interacts with CtIP and MRN via a specific, conserved region and the catalytic domain of USP4, respectively, and regulates CtIP recruitment to sites of DNA damage. We also find that USP4 autodeubiquitylation is essential for its HR functions. Collectively, our findings identify USP4 as a key regulator of DNA DSB end resection.

Exo1 and Mre11 execute meiotic DSB end resection in the protist Tetrahymena

The resection of 5'-DNA ends at a double-strand break (DSB) is an essential step in recombinational repair, as it exposes 3' single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) tails for interaction with a repair template. In mitosis, Exo1 and Sgs1 have a conserved function in the formation of long ssDNA tails, whereas this step in the processing of programmed meiotic DSBs is less well-characterized across model organisms. In budding yeast, which has been most intensely studied in this respect, Exo1 is a major meiotic nuclease. In addition, it exerts a nuclease-independent function later in meiosis in the conversion of DNA joint molecules into ZMM-dependent crossovers. In order to gain insight into the diverse meiotic roles of Exo1, we investigated the effect of Exo1 deletion in the ciliated protist Tetrahymena. We found that Exo1 together with Mre11, but without the help of Sgs1, promotes meiotic DSB end resection. Resection is completely eliminated only if both Mre11 and Exo1 are missing. This is consistent with the yeast model where Mre11 promotes resection in the 3'-5' direction and Exo1 in the opposite 5'-3' direction. However, while the endonuclease activity of Mre11 is essential to create an entry site for exonucleases and hence to start resection in budding yeast, Tetrahymena Exo1 is able to create single-stranded DNA in the absence of Mre11. Excluding a possible contribution of the Mre11 cofactor Sae2 (Com1) as an autonomous endonuclease, we conclude that there exists another unknown nuclease that initiates DSB processing in Tetrahymena. Consistent with the absence of the ZMM crossover pathway in Tetrahymena, crossover formation is independent of Exo1.

Two separable functions of Ctp1 in the early steps of meiotic DNA double-strand break repair

Meiotic programmed DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair is essential for crossing-over and viable gamete formation and requires removal of Spo11-oligonucleotide complexes from 5' ends (clipping) and their resection to generate invasive 3'-end single-stranded DNA (resection). Ctp1 (Com1, Sae2, CtIP homolog) acting with the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex is required in both steps. We isolated multiple S. pombe ctp1 mutants deficient in clipping but proficient in resection during meiosis. Remarkably, all of the mutations clustered in or near the conserved CxxC or RHR motif in the C-terminal portion. The mutants tested, like ctp1Δ, were clipping-deficient by both genetic and physical assays-. But, unlike ctp1Δ, these mutants were recombination-proficient for Rec12 (Spo11 homolog)-independent break-repair and resection-proficient by physical assay. We conclude that the intracellular Ctp1 C-terminal portion is essential for clipping, while the N-terminal portion is sufficient for DSB end-resection. This conclusion agrees with purified human CtIP resection and endonuclease activities being independent. Our mutants provide intracellular evidence for separable functions of Ctp1. Some mutations truncate Ctp1 in the same region as one of the CtIP mutations linked to the Seckel and Jawad severe developmental syndromes, suggesting that these syndromes are caused by a lack of clipping at DSB ends that require repair.

Inhibition of Topoisomerase (DNA) I (TOP1): DNA Damage Repair and Anticancer Therapy

Most chemotherapy regimens contain at least one DNA-damaging agent that preferentially affects the growth of cancer cells. This strategy takes advantage of the differences in cell proliferation between normal and cancer cells. Chemotherapeutic drugs are usually designed to target rapid-dividing cells because sustained proliferation is a common feature of cancer [1,2]. Rapid DNA replication is essential for highly proliferative cells, thus blocking of DNA replication will create numerous mutations and/or chromosome rearrangements—ultimately triggering cell death [3]. Along these lines, DNA topoisomerase inhibitors are of great interest because they help to maintain strand breaks generated by topoisomerases during replication. In this article, we discuss the characteristics of topoisomerase (DNA) I (TOP1) and its inhibitors, as well as the underlying DNA repair pathways and the use of TOP1 inhibitors in cancer therapy.

EXO1 is critical for embryogenesis and the DNA damage response in mice with a hypomorphic Nbs1 allele

The maintenance of genome stability is critical for the suppression of diverse human pathologies that include developmental disorders, premature aging, infertility and predisposition to cancer. The DNA damage response (DDR) orchestrates the appropriate cellular responses following the detection of lesions to prevent genomic instability. The MRE11 complex is a sensor of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and plays key roles in multiple aspects of the DDR, including DNA end resection that is critical for signaling and DNA repair. The MRE11 complex has been shown to function both upstream and in concert with the 5′-3′ exonuclease EXO1 in DNA resection, but it remains unclear to what extent EXO1 influences DSB responses independently of the MRE11 complex. Here we examine the genetic relationship of the MRE11 complex and EXO1 during mammalian development and in response to DNA damage. Deletion of Exo1 in mice expressing a hypomorphic allele of Nbs1 leads to severe developmental impairment, embryonic death and chromosomal instability. While EXO1 plays a minimal role in normal cells, its loss strongly influences DNA replication, DNA repair, checkpoint signaling and damage sensitivity in NBS1 hypomorphic cells. Collectively, our results establish a key role for EXO1 in modulating the severity of hypomorphic MRE11 complex mutations.

Synthetic viability genomic screening defines Sae2 function in DNA repair

DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination (HR) requires 3' single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) generation by 5' DNA-end resection. During meiosis, yeast Sae2 cooperates with the nuclease Mre11 to remove covalently bound Spo11 from DSB termini, allowing resection and HR to ensue. Mitotic roles of Sae2 and Mre11 nuclease have remained enigmatic, however, since cells lacking these display modest resection defects but marked DNA damage hypersensitivities. By combining classic genetic suppressor screening with high-throughput DNA sequencing, we identify Mre11 mutations that strongly suppress DNA damage sensitivities of sae2∆ cells. By assessing the impacts of these mutations at the cellular, biochemical and structural levels, we propose that, in addition to promoting resection, a crucial role for Sae2 and Mre11 nuclease activity in mitotic DSB repair is to facilitate the removal of Mre11 from ssDNA associated with DSB ends. Thus, without Sae2 or Mre11 nuclease activity, Mre11 bound to partly processed DSBs impairs strand invasion and HR.