Defining the roles of nucleotide excision repair and recombination in the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links in mammalian cells

The involvement of WT1 in the regulation of GADD45a in response to genotoxic stress

Expression of the human GADD45a gene is increased in TK6 cells exposed to mutagens, clastogens and aneugens. It is known to be regulated through both p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways and WT1 has been implicated in both cases. This article reports an investigation into the effect that mutations in the WT1 and p53 response elements of the gene have on GADD45a expression. This was conducted in both p53 wild-type (TK6) and mutant (WI-L2-NS) human B lymphoblastoid cell lines. Gene expression was monitored using a GADD45a-green fluorescent protein reporter assay. Mutant cell lines were exposed to the mechanistically diverse genotoxins methyl methanesulphonate, cisplatin and mitomycin C (direct acting), hydroxyurea, aphidicolin and 5'fluorouracil (inhibitors of nucleotide/DNA synthesis) and benomyl (aneugen). In all cases, the induction of the reporter was reduced in the mutants compared with wild-type. These results provide experimental evidence for the implied role of WT1 in both p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways of GADD45a regulation and further insight into the mechanism of GADD45a induction by genotoxins.

Predictive markers for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of maxillary sinus: Preliminary report

CONCLUSION

ERCC 1 seems to be promising as a predictive marker for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and early decision for surgery in advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the maxillary sinus.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to find a possible relation of ERCC1 or XRCC1 expression with response to NAC and prognosis in advanced SCC of the maxillary sinus.

METHODS

From 1998 to 2006, 17 patients with advanced SCC of the maxillary sinus received NAC at the Seoul National University Hospital. The expression of ERCC1 and XRCC1 was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Complete and partial remissions were categorized as the chemo-sensitive group. On the other hand, stable and progressive diseases were categorized as the chemo-resistant group.

RESULTS

Of these 17 patients, 1 had complete remission, 6 had partial remission, 4 had stable disease, and 6 had progression of disease. The 5-year survival rate was 40% for all 17 patients. The expression of ERCC1 and XRCC1 was not correlated with nodal or distant metastasis. With a cut-off value of 65%, patients with higher ERCC1 scores showed chemo-resistance and survival disadvantage over those with lower ERCC1 scores. However, XRCC1 did not show a significant effect on the response to NAC.

γ-H2AX foci formation as a pharmacodynamic marker of DNA damage produced by DNA cross-linking agents: results from 2 phase I clinical trials of SJG-136 (SG2000)

PURPOSE

To evaluate γ-H2AX foci as a pharmacodynamic marker for DNA damage induced by DNA interstrand cross-linking drugs.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

γ-H2AX foci formation was validated preclinically in comparison with the Comet assay, and evaluated pharmacodynamically in two phase I studies of different dosing schedules of the novel cross-linking agent SJG-136 (SG2000).

RESULTS

The measurement of γ-H2AX foci in human fibroblasts and lymphocytes in vitro was more than 10-fold more sensitive than Comet assay measurement of cross-linking, with peak γ-H2AX response 24 hours after the peak of cross-linking. In lymphocytes from a phase I study (every three week schedule), γ-H2AX foci were detectable 1 hour following the end of administration, and in all patients, maximum response was observed at 24 hours. Significant levels of foci were still evident at days 8 and 15 consistent with the known persistence of the DNA damage produced by this agent. In two tumor biopsy samples, foci were detected 4 hours postinfusion with levels higher than in lymphocytes. Extensive foci formation was also observed before the third dose in cycle 1 in lymphocytes from a second phase I study (daily × 3 schedule). These foci also persisted with a significant level evident before the second cycle (day 21). An increased γ-H2AX response was observed during the second cycle consistent with a cumulative pharmacodynamic effect. No clear relationship between foci formation and administered drug dose was observed.

CONCLUSION

This is the first use of γ-H2AX as a pharmacodynamic response to a DNA cross-linking agent in a clinical trial setting.

Prognostic value of ERCC1 in head and neck carcinoma treated with definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic significance of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) expression in head and neck carcinoma patients treated with definitive radiotherapy (DR) or adjuvant radiotherapy (AR).

METHODS

ERCC1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. A total of 48 patients were assessed.

RESULTS

High ERCC1 expression was found in 23 patients (48 %). More ERCC1-positive tumours were detected in patients treated with DR than in patients treated with AR (73 vs. 36 %, respectively, p = 0.03). ERCC1 expression had no impact on overall survival neither in the whole cohort of patients (p = 0.16) nor in each particular treatment group (AR p = 0.98; DR p = 0.21).

CONCLUSIONS

ERCC1 expression had no predictive value in head and neck carcinoma patients treated with DR or AR. There might be difference in ERCC1 positivity that comes out of whether the assessment is done on biopsy or surgical specimens.

REV1 and DNA polymerase zeta in DNA interstrand crosslink repair

DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) are covalent linkages between two strands of DNA, and their presence interferes with essential metabolic processes such as transcription and replication. These lesions are extremely toxic, and their repair is essential for genome stability and cell survival. In this review, we will discuss how the removal of ICLs requires interplay between multiple genome maintenance pathways and can occur in the absence of replication (replication-independent ICL repair) or during S phase (replication-coupled ICL repair), the latter being the predominant pathway used in mammalian cells. It is now well recognized that translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), especially through the activities of REV1 and DNA polymerase zeta (Polζ), is necessary for both ICL repair pathways operating throughout the cell cycle. Recent studies suggest that the convergence of two replication forks upon an ICL initiates a cascade of events including unhooking of the lesion through the actions of structure-specific endonucleases, thereby creating a DNA double-stranded break (DSB). TLS across the unhooked lesion is necessary for restoring the sister chromatid before homologous recombination repair. Biochemical and genetic studies implicate REV1 and Polζ as being essential for performing lesion bypass across the unhooked crosslink, and this step appears to be important for subsequent events to repair the intermediate DSB. The potential role of Fanconi anemia pathway in the regulation of REV1 and Polζ-dependent TLS and the involvement of additional polymerases, including DNA polymerases kappa, nu, and theta, in the repair of ICLs is also discussed in this review.

Polymorphisms in ERCC1 and XPF genes and risk of gastric cancer in an eastern Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Inherited functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA repair genes may alter DNA repair capacity and thus contribute to cancer risk.

METHODS

Three ERCC1 functional SNPs (rs2298881C>A, rs3212986C>A and rs11615G>A) and two XPF/ERCC4 functional SNPs (rs2276466C>G and rs6498486A>C) were genotyped for 1125 gastric adenocarcinoma cases and 1196 cancer-free controls by Taqman assays. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate risk associations, and false-positive report probabilities (FPRP) were calculated for assessing significant findings.

RESULTS

ERCC1 rs2298881C and rs11615A variant genotypes were associated with increased gastric cancer risk (adjusted OR=1.33, 95% CI=1.05-1.67 for rs2298881 AC/CC and adjusted OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.05-1.46 for rs11615 AG/AA, compared with their common genotype AA and GG, respectively). Patients with 2-3 ERCC1 risk genotypes had significant increased risk (adjusted OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.27-1.93), compared with those with 0-1 ERCC1 risk genotypes, and this risk was more significantly in subgroups of never drinkers, non-gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (NGCA) and clinical stage I+II. All these risks were not observed for XPF SNPs.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that functional ERCC1 SNPs may contribute to risk of gastric cancer. Larger and well-designed studies with different ethnic populations are needed to validate our findings.

Fanconi-like crosslink repair in yeast

Interstrand crosslinks covalently link complementary DNA strands, block replication and transcription, and can trigger cell death. In eukaryotic systems several pathways, including the Fanconi Anemia pathway, are involved in repairing interstrand crosslinks, but their precise mechanisms remain enigmatic. The lack of functional homologs in simpler model organisms has significantly hampered progress in this field. Two recent studies have finally identified a Fanconi-like interstrand crosslink repair pathway in yeast. Future studies in this simplistic model organism promise to greatly improve our basic understanding of complex interstrand crosslink repair pathways like the Fanconi pathway.

Evidence for different mechanisms of 'unhooking' for melphalan and cisplatin-induced DNA interstrand cross-links in vitro and in clinical acquired resistant tumour samples

Background

DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) are critical lesions produced by several cancer chemotherapy agents including platinum drugs and nitrogen mustards. We have previously shown in haematological (multiple myeloma) and solid tumours (ovarian cancer) that clinical sensitivity to such agents can result from a defect in DNA ICL processing leading to their persistence. Conversely, enhanced repair can result in clinical acquired resistance following chemotherapy. The repair of ICLs is complex but it is assumed that the ‘unhooking’ step is common to all ICLs.

Methods

Using a modification of the single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay we measured the formation and unhooking of melphalan and cisplatin-induced ICLs in cell lines and clinical samples. DNA damage response in the form of γ-H2AX foci formation and the formation of RAD51 foci as a marker of homologous recombination were also determined. Real-time PCR of 84 genes involved in DNA damage signalling pathways was also examined pre- and post-treatment.

Results

Plasma cells from multiple myeloma patients known to be clinically resistant to melphalan showed significant unhooking of melphalan-induced ICLs at 48 hours, but did not unhook cisplatin-induced ICLs. In ovarian cancer cells obtained from patients following platinum-based chemotherapy, unhooking of cisplatin-induced ICLs was observed at 48 hours, but no unhooking of melphalan-induced ICLs. In vitro, A549 cells were proficient at unhooking both melphalan and cisplatin-induced ICLs. γ-H2AX foci formation closely followed the formation of ICLs for both drugs, and rapidly declined following the peak of formation. RPMI8226 cells unhooked melphalan, but not cisplatin-induced ICLs. In these cells, although cross-links form with cisplatin, the γ-H2AX response is weak. In A549 cells, addition of 3nM gemcitabine resulted in complete inhibition of cisplatin-induced ICL unhooking but no effect on repair of melphalan ICLs. The RAD51 foci response was both drug and cell line specific. Real time PCR studies highlighted differences in the damage response to melphalan and cisplatin following equi-ICL forming doses.

Conclusions

These data suggest that the mechanisms by which melphalan and cisplatin-induced ICLs are ‘unhooked’ in vitro are distinct, and the mechanisms of clinical acquired resistance involving repair of ICLs, are drug specific.

Regulation of DNA cross-link repair by the Fanconi anemia/BRCA pathway

The maintenance of genome stability is critical for survival, and its failure is often associated with tumorigenesis. The Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway is essential for the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs), and a germline defect in the pathway results in FA, a cancer predisposition syndrome driven by genome instability. Central to this pathway is the monoubiquitination of FANCD2, which coordinates multiple DNA repair activities required for the resolution of ICLs. Recent studies have demonstrated how the FA pathway coordinates three critical DNA repair processes, including nucleolytic incision, translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), and homologous recombination (HR). Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the downstream ICL repair steps initiated by ubiquitin-mediated FA pathway activation.

Inhibition of transcription by platinated triplex-forming oligonucleotides

Platinated triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) consisting of 2'-methoxythymidine and 2'-methoxy-5-methylcytidine and an N-7 platinated deoxyguanosine ((Pt)G) at the 5'-((Pt)G-TFO), 3'-(TFO-G(Pt)), or 3'- and 5'-((Pt)G-TFO-G(Pt)) ends of the TFO form mono-((Pt)G-TFO and TFO-G(Pt)) and interstrand ((Pt)G-TFO-G(Pt)) cross-links with target DNA as a result of reaction of the (Pt)G with guanines adjacent to the homopurine TFO binding site in the target. The extent of cross-linking is greatest when the (Pt)G is located on the 3' end of the TFO and the target guanine is on the same strand as the TFO binding site. Multiple, contiguous deoxyguanosines in the TFO binding site or a cytosine adjacent to the G(Pt) of the TFO significantly reduce cross-linking. DNA reporter plasmids in which platinated TFOs were cross-linked at a site in the transcribed region between a CMV promoter and a luciferase reporter gene were transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells, and luciferase expression was compared with that for the corresponding non-cross-linked plasmid. Luciferase expression was inhibited 95 % when TFO-G(Pt) was bound and cross-linked to the transcribed strand, demonstrating that the cross-linked TFO was able to block transcription elongation. Further inhibition (99 %) was observed in nucleotide excision repair (NER) deficient cells, suggesting that NER may repair this lesion. The 3'-G(Pt) group of TFO-G(Pt) protects the TFO from degradation by exonucleases found in mammalian serum. Taken together, these results suggest that platinated TFOs of the type TFO-G(Pt) may find applications as agents for suppressing DNA transcription and consequently inhibiting gene expression in mammalian cells.

A prototypical Fanconi anemia pathway in lower eukaryotes?

DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) present a major challenge to cells, preventing separation of the two strands of duplex DNA and blocking major chromosome transactions, including transcription and replication. Due to the complexity of removing this form of DNA damage, no single DNA repair pathway has been shown to be capable of eradicating ICLs. In eukaryotes, ICL repair is a complex process, principally because several repair pathways compete for ICL repair intermediates in a strictly cell cycle-dependent manner. Yeast cells require a combination of nucleotide excision repair, homologous recombination repair and postreplication repair/translesion DNA synthesis to remove ICLs. There are also a number of additional ICL repair factors originally identified in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, called Pso1 though 10, of which Pso2 has an apparently dedicated role in ICL repair. Mammalian cells respond to ICLs by a complex network guided by factors mutated in the inherited cancer-prone disorder Fanconi anemia (FA). Although enormous progress has been made over recent years in identifying and characterizing FA factors as well as in elucidating certain aspects of the biology of FA, the mechanistic details of the ICL repair defects in FA patients remain unknown. Dissection of the FA DNA damage response pathway has, in part, been limited by the absence of FA-like pathways in highly tractable model organisms, such as yeast. Although S. cerevisiae possesses putative homologs of the FA factors FANCM, FANCJ and FANCP (Mph1, Chl1 and Slx4, respectively) as well as of the FANCM-associated proteins MHF1 and MHF2 (Mhf1 and Mhf2), the corresponding mutants display no significant increase in sensitivity to ICLs. Nevertheless, we and others have recently shown that these FA homologs, along with several other factors, control an ICL repair pathway, which has an overlapping or redundant role with a Pso2-controlled pathway. This pathway acts in S-phase and serves to prevent ICL-stalled replication forks from collapsing into DNA double-strand breaks.

ERCC1 expression as a prognostic and predictive factor in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis

It is hypothesized that high expression of the excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) gene might be a positive prognostic factor, but predict decreased sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy. Results from the published data are inconsistent. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship between ERCC1 and the prognosis and predictive response to chemotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a meta-analysis was performed. An electronic search of the PubMed and Embase database was performed. Hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS) was pooled in early stage patients received surgery alone to analyze the prognosis of ERCC1 on NSCLC. HRs for OS in patients received surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy and in patients received palliative chemotherapy and relative risk (RR) for overall response to chemotherapy were aggregated to analyze the prediction of ERCC1 on NSCLC. The pooled HR indicated that high ERCC1 levels were associated with longer survival in early stage patients received surgery alone (HR, 0.69; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.58-0.83; P = 0.000). There was no difference in survival between high and low ERCC1 levels in patients received surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.93-2.12; P = 0.106). However, high ERCC1 levels were associated with shorter survival and lower response to chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients received palliative chemotherapy (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.39-2.22; P = 0.000; RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.93; P = 0.007; respectively). The meta-analysis indicated that high ERCC1 expression might be a favourable prognostic and a drug resistance predictive factor for NSCLC.

Components of a Fanconi-like pathway control Pso2-independent DNA interstrand crosslink repair in yeast

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a devastating genetic disease, associated with genomic instability and defects in DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) repair. The FA repair pathway is not thought to be conserved in budding yeast, and although the yeast Mph1 helicase is a putative homolog of human FANCM, yeast cells disrupted for MPH1 are not sensitive to ICLs. Here, we reveal a key role for Mph1 in ICL repair when the Pso2 exonuclease is inactivated. We find that the yeast FANCM ortholog Mph1 physically and functionally interacts with Mgm101, a protein previously implicated in mitochondrial DNA repair, and the MutSα mismatch repair factor (Msh2-Msh6). Co-disruption of MPH1, MGM101, MSH6, or MSH2 with PSO2 produces a lesion-specific increase in ICL sensitivity, the elevation of ICL-induced chromosomal rearrangements, and persistence of ICL-associated DNA double-strand breaks. We find that Mph1-Mgm101-MutSα directs the ICL-induced recruitment of Exo1 to chromatin, and we propose that Exo1 is an alternative 5′-3′ exonuclease utilised for ICL repair in the absence of Pso2. Moreover, ICL-induced Rad51 chromatin loading is delayed when both Pso2 and components of the Mph1-Mgm101-MutSα and Exo1 pathway are inactivated, demonstrating that the homologous recombination stages of ICL repair are inhibited. Finally, the FANCJ- and FANCP-related factors Chl1 and Slx4, respectively, are also components of the genetic pathway controlled by Mph1-Mgm101-MutSα. Together this suggests that a prototypical FA–related ICL repair pathway operates in budding yeast, which acts redundantly with the pathway controlled by Pso2, and is required for the targeting of Exo1 to chromatin to execute ICL repair.

Individuals with Fanconi anemia (FA) suffer from bone marrow failure and from elevated rates of haematological and solid malignancy. Moreover, FA patients exhibit extreme sensitivity to DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs), but not other forms of DNA damage. Despite recent progress in identifying and characterising FA factors, little is known about the mechanistic basis of the ICL repair defect in FA. The identification and characterisation of FA–like pathways in simple model eukaryotes, amenable to genetic dissection, would clearly accelerate progress. Here, we have identified an ICL repair pathway in budding yeast that has significant similarities to the FA pathway and that acts in parallel to an established pathway controlled by the Pso2 exonuclease. We have discovered that a key component of this pathway, the FANCM-like helicase, Mph1, interacts and collaborates with a mismatch repair factor (MutSα) and a novel nuclear DNA repair factor Mgm101 to control ICL repair. We also found that a central role of these factors is to recruit Exonuclease 1 (Exo1) to ICL-damaged chromatin, and propose that this factor acts redundantly with Pso2 to execute the exonucleolytic processing of ICLs. Our findings reveal new mechanistic insights into the control of ICL repair by FA–like proteins in an important model organism.

Characterization of the human SNM1A and SNM1B/Apollo DNA repair exonucleases

Human SNM1A and SNM1B/Apollo have both been implicated in the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) by cellular studies, and SNM1B is also required for telomere protection. Here, we describe studies on the biochemical characterization of the SNM1A and SNM1B proteins. The results reveal some fundamental differences in the mechanisms of the two proteins. Both SNM1A and SNM1B digest double-stranded and single-stranded DNA with a 5'-to-3' directionality in a reaction that is stimulated by divalent cations, and both nucleases are inhibited by the zinc chelator o-phenanthroline. We find that SNM1A has greater affinity for single-stranded DNA over double-stranded DNA that is not observed with SNM1B. Although both proteins demonstrate a low level of processivity on low molecular weight DNA oligonucleotide substrates, when presented with high molecular weight DNA, SNM1A alone is rendered much more active, being capable of digesting kilobase-long stretches of DNA. Both proteins can digest past ICLs induced by the non-distorting minor groove cross-linking agent SJG-136, albeit with SNM1A showing a greater capacity to achieve this. This is consistent with the proposal that SNM1A and SNM1B might exhibit some redundancy in ICL repair. Together, our work establishes differences in the substrate selectivities of SNM1A and SNM1B that are likely to be relevant to their in vivo roles and which might be exploited in the development of selective inhibitors.

The Fanconi anemia ortholog FANCM ensures ordered homologous recombination in both somatic and meiotic cells in Arabidopsis

The human hereditary disease Fanconi anemia leads to severe symptoms, including developmental defects and breakdown of the hematopoietic system. It is caused by single mutations in the FANC genes, one of which encodes the DNA translocase FANCM (for Fanconi anemia complementation group M), which is required for the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links to ensure replication progression. We identified a homolog of FANCM in Arabidopsis thaliana that is not directly involved in the repair of DNA lesions but suppresses spontaneous somatic homologous recombination via a RecQ helicase (At-RECQ4A)-independent pathway. In addition, it is required for double-strand break-induced homologous recombination. The fertility of At-fancm mutant plants is compromised. Evidence suggests that during meiosis At-FANCM acts as antirecombinase to suppress ectopic recombination-dependent chromosome interactions, but this activity is antagonized by the ZMM pathway to enable the formation of interference-sensitive crossovers and chromosome synapsis. Surprisingly, mutation of At-FANCM overcomes the sterility phenotype of an At-MutS homolog4 mutant by apparently rescuing a proportion of crossover-designated recombination intermediates via a route that is likely At-MMS and UV sensitive81 dependent. However, this is insufficient to ensure the formation of an obligate crossover. Thus, At-FANCM is not only a safeguard for genome stability in somatic cells but is an important factor in the control of meiotic crossover formation.

Formaldehyde-induced genome instability is suppressed by an XPF-dependent pathway

Formaldehyde is a reactive chemical that is commonly used in the production of industrial, laboratory, household, and cosmetic products. The causal association between formaldehyde exposure and increased incidence of cancer led the International Agency for Research on Cancer to classify formaldehyde as a carcinogen. Formaldehyde-induced DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) elicit responses involving nucleotide excision repair (NER) and homologous recombination (HR) repair pathways; however, little is known about the cellular and genetic changes that subsequently lead to formaldehyde-induced genotoxic and cytotoxic effects. Herein, investigations of genes that modulate the cytotoxic effects of formaldehyde exposure revealed that of five NER-deficient Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines tested, XPF- and ERCC1-deficient cells were most sensitive to formaldehyde treatment as compared to wild-type cells. Cell cycle analyses revealed that formaldehyde-treated XPF-deficient cells exhibited an immediate G2/M arrest that was associated with altered cell ploidy and apoptosis. Additionally, an elevated number of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), chromosomal breaks and radial formation were also observed in XPF-deficient cells following formaldehyde treatment. Formaldehyde-induced DSBs occurred in a replication-dependent, but an XPF-independent manner. However, delayed DSB repair was observed in the absence of XPF function. Collectively, our findings highlight the role of an XPF-dependent pathway in mitigating the sensitivity to formaldehyde-induced DNA damage as evidenced by the increased genomic instability and reduced cell viability in an XPF-deficient background. In addition, centrosome and microtubule abnormalities, as well as enlarged nuclei, caused by formaldehyde exposure are demonstrated in a repair-proficient cell line.

Nucleotide excision repair gene ERCC1 polymorphisms contribute to cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Individual studies of the associations between excision repair cross-complimentary group 1 (ERCC1) polymorphisms and cancer susceptibility have shown inconclusive results. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship between three well-characterised polymorphisms on ERCC1 and the risk of cancer, we performed a meta-analysis based on 48 publications. We used odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the associations. We found that ERCC1 17677A (rs3212961) variant genotypes were associated with significantly increased overall risk of cancer without substantial heterogeneity (AA versus CC, OR = 1.36, 95% CIs: 1.10-1.68; AC versus CC: OR = 1.11, 95% CIs: 0.99-1.26; dominant comparison: AA/AC versus CC: OR = 1.15, 95% CIs: 1.02-1.29; recessive comparison: AA versus AC/CC: OR = 1.25, 95% CIs: 1.05-1.49). The ERCC1 19007 C (rs11615) allele had null effects on overall risk of cancer; but in the stratified analyses, we observed an elevated association in Asian populations with homozygote variants and hospital-based controls. In addition, during further stratified analyses of cancer groups, homozygote variants were found that are associated with lung cancer and smoking-related cancers. Also, the observed ERCC1 19007 C heterozygote variant contributes to the development of skin cancer. However, the ERCC1 8092C > A (rs3212986) polymorphism did not appear to have an effect on cancer risk. Additionally, no evidence of publication bias was observed in these polymorphisms. Our meta-analysis supports the conclusion that the ERCC1 17677A > C and ERCC1 19007T > C polymorphisms, but not the ERCC1 8092C > A polymorphism, are low-penetrance risk factors for cancer development.

XPF-dependent DNA breaks and RNA polymerase II arrest induced by antitumor DNA interstrand crosslinking-mimetic alkaloids

Trabectedin and Zalypsis are two potent anticancer tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids that can form a covalent bond with the amino group of a guanine in selected triplets of DNA duplexes and eventually give rise to double-strand breaks. Using well-defined in vitro and in vivo assays, we show that the resulting DNA adducts stimulate, in a concentration-dependent manner, cleavage by the XPF/ERCC1 nuclease on the strand opposite to that bonded by the drug. They also inhibit RNA synthesis by: (1) preventing binding of transcription factors like Sp1 to DNA, and (2) arresting elongating RNA polymerase II at the same nucleotide position regardless of the strand they are located on. Structural models provide a rationale for these findings and highlight the similarity between this type of DNA modification and an interstrand crosslink.

Orchestrating the nucleases involved in DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) repair

DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) pose a significant threat to genomic and cellular integrity by blocking essential cellular processes, including replication and transcription. In mammalian cells, much ICL repair occurs in association with DNA replication during S phase, following the stalling of a replication fork at the block caused by an ICL lesion. Here, we review recent work showing that the XPF-ERCC1 endonuclease and the hSNM1A exonuclease act in the same pathway, together with SLX4, to initiate ICL repair, with the MUS81-EME1 fork incision activity becoming important in the absence of the XPF-SNM1A-SLX4-dependent pathway. Another nuclease, the Fanconi anemia-associated nuclease (FAN1), has recently been implicated in the repair of ICLs, and we discuss the possible ways in which the activities of different nucleases at the ICL-stalled replication fork may be coordinated. In relation to this, we briefly speculate on the possible role of SLX4, which contains XPF and MUS81- interacting domains, in the coordination of ICL repair nucleases.

Filamin-A as a marker and target for DNA damage based cancer therapy

Filamin-A, also called actin binding protein 280 (ABP-280), cross-links the actin filaments into dynamic orthogonal network to serve as scaffolds in multiple signaling pathways. It has been reported that filamin-A interacts with DNA damage response proteins BRCA1 and BRCA2. Defects of filamin-A impair the repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), resulting in sensitization of cells to ionizing radiation. In this study, we sought to test the hypothesis that filamin-A can be used as a target for cancer chemotherapy and as a biomarker to predict cancer response to therapeutic DNA damage. We found that reduction of filamin-A sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy reagents bleomycin and cisplatin, delays the repair of not only DSBs but also single strand breaks (SSBs) and interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), and increases chromosome breaks after the drug treatment. By treating a panel of human melanoma cell lines with variable filamin-A expression, we observed a correlation between expression level of filamin-A protein and drug IC(50). We further inhibited the expression of filamin-A in melanoma cells, and found that this confers an increased sensitivity to bleomycin and cisplatin treatment in a mouse xenograft tumor model. These results suggest that filamin-A plays a role in repair of a variety of DNA damage, that lack of filamin-A is a prognostic marker for a better outcome after DNA damage based treatment, and filamin-A can be inhibited to sensitize filamin-A positive cancer cells to therapeutic DNA damage. Thus filamin-A can be used as a biomarker and a target for DNA damage based cancer therapy.

The Fanconi anaemia pathway orchestrates incisions at sites of crosslinked DNA

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare, autosomal recessive, genetically complex, DNA repair deficiency syndrome in man. Patients with FA exhibit a heterogeneous spectrum of clinical features. The most significant and consistent phenotypic characteristics are stem cell loss, causing progressive bone marrow failure and sterility, diverse developmental abnormalities and a profound predisposition to neoplasia. To date, 15 genes have been identified, biallelic disruption of any one of which results in this clinically defined syndrome. It is now apparent that all 15 gene products act in a common process to maintain genome stability. At the molecular level, a fundamental defect in DNA repair underlies this complex phenotype. Cells derived from FA patients spontaneously accumulate broken chromosomes and exhibit a marked sensitivity to DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents. Despite complementation analysis defining many components of the FA DNA repair pathway, no direct link to DNA metabolism was established until recently. First, it is now evident that the FA pathway is required to make incisions at the site of damaged DNA. Second, a specific component of the FA pathway has been identified that regulates nucleases previously implicated in DNA interstrand crosslink repair. Taken together, these data provide genetic and biochemical evidence that the FA pathway is a bona fide DNA repair pathway that directly mediates DNA repair transactions, thereby elucidating the specific molecular defect in human Fanconi anaemia.

The Fanconi anemia pathway and DNA interstrand cross-link repair

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal or X-linked recessive disorder characterized by chromosomal instability, bone marrow failure, cancer susceptibility, and a profound sensitivity to agents that produce DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL). To date, 15 genes have been identified that, when mutated, result in FA or an FA-like syndrome. It is believed that cellular resistance to DNA interstrand cross-linking agents requires all 15 FA or FA-like proteins. Here, we review our current understanding of how these FA proteins participate in ICL repair and discuss the molecular mechanisms that regulate the FA pathway to maintain genome stability.

Ubiquitylation and the Fanconi anemia pathway

The Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway maintains genome stability through co-ordination of DNA repair of interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). Disruption of the FA pathway yields hypersensitivity to interstrand crosslinking agents, bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition. Early steps in DNA damage dependent activation of the pathway are governed by monoubiquitylation of FANCD2 and FANCI by the intrinsic FA E3 ubiquitin ligase, FANCL. Downstream FA pathway components and associated factors such as FAN1 and SLX4 exhibit ubiquitin-binding motifs that are important for their DNA repair function, underscoring the importance of ubiquitylation in FA pathway mediated repair. Importantly, ubiquitylation provides the foundations for cross-talk between repair pathways, which in concert with the FA pathway, resolve interstrand crosslink damage and maintain genomic stability.

Human SNM1A and XPF-ERCC1 collaborate to initiate DNA interstrand cross-link repair

One of the major DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) repair pathways in mammalian cells is coupled to replication, but the mechanistic roles of the critical factors involved remain largely elusive. Here, we show that purified human SNM1A (hSNM1A), which exhibits a 5'-3' exonuclease activity, can load from a single DNA nick and digest past an ICL on its substrate strand. hSNM1A-depleted cells are ICL-sensitive and accumulate replication-associated DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), akin to ERCC1-depleted cells. These DSBs are Mus81-induced, indicating that replication fork cleavage by Mus81 results from the failure of the hSNM1A- and XPF-ERCC1-dependent ICL repair pathway. Our results reveal how collaboration between hSNM1A and XPF-ERCC1 is necessary to initiate ICL repair in replicating human cells.

Mechanism of cell death resulting from DNA interstrand cross-linking in mammalian cells

DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) are critical cytotoxic lesions produced by cancer chemotherapeutic agents such as the nitrogen mustards and platinum drugs; however, the exact mechanism of ICL-induced cell death is unclear. Here, we show a novel mechanism of p53-independent apoptotic cell death involving prolonged cell-cycle (G₂) arrest, ICL repair involving HR, transient mitosis, incomplete cytokinesis, and gross chromosomal abnormalities resulting from ICLs in mammalian cells. This characteristic ‘giant' cell death, observed by using time-lapse video microscopy, was reduced in ICL repair ERCC1- and XRCC3-deficient cells. Collectively, the results illustrate the coordination of ICL-induced cellular responses, including cell-cycle arrest, DNA damage repair, and cell death.

Mechanism of action: the unique pattern of bendamustine-induced cytotoxicity

Bendamustine has demonstrated substantial efficacy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies and continues to distinguish itself from other alkylating agents with regard to its activity in tumor cells. The mechanistic and clinical differences associated with bendamustine may be directly related to its unique structural features. Although the precise mechanisms of action are still poorly understood, bendamustine is associated with extensive and durable DNA damage. The increased potency of bendamustine may be due to secondary mechanisms such as inhibition of mitotic checkpoints, inefficient DNA repair, and initiation of p53-dependent DNA-damage stress response, all of which lead to mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis. It has also been hypothesized that the presence of a benzimidazole ring in addition to the nitrogen mustard group may influence the way bendamustine interacts with DNA and/or confer antimetabolite properties. Further elucidation of the mechanisms of action for bendamustine and the signaling pathways involved in the response to bendamustine-induced DNA damage is essential to maximize its therapeutic potential, identify biomarkers for response, and understand the potential for synergy with other agents involved in DNA damage and inhibition of DNA repair. This review will discuss the current understanding and hypotheses regarding bendamustine mechanisms of action and suggest future investigations that would shed light on the many unanswered questions.

Physiological consequences of defects in ERCC1-XPF DNA repair endonuclease

ERCC1-XPF is a structure-specific endonuclease required for nucleotide excision repair, interstrand crosslink repair, and the repair of some double-strand breaks. Mutations in ERCC1 or XPF cause xeroderma pigmentosum, XFE progeroid syndrome or cerebro-oculo-facio-skeletal syndrome, characterized by increased risk of cancer, accelerated aging and severe developmental abnormalities, respectively. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the health impact of ERCC1-XPF deficiency, based on these rare diseases and mouse models of them. This offers an understanding of the tremendous health impact of DNA damage derived from environmental and endogenous sources.

XPB and XPD helicases in TFIIH orchestrate DNA duplex opening and damage verification to coordinate repair with transcription and cell cycle via CAK kinase

Helicases must unwind DNA at the right place and time to maintain genomic integrity or gene expression. Biologically critical XPB and XPD helicases are key members of the human TFIIH complex; they anchor CAK kinase (cyclinH, MAT1, CDK7) to TFIIH and open DNA for transcription and for repair of duplex distorting damage by nucleotide excision repair (NER). NER is initiated by arrested RNA polymerase or damage recognition by XPC-RAD23B with or without DDB1/DDB2. XP helicases, named for their role in the extreme sun-mediated skin cancer predisposition xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), are then recruited to asymmetrically unwind dsDNA flanking the damage. XPB and XPD genetic defects can also cause premature aging with profound neurological defects without increased cancers: Cockayne syndrome (CS) and trichothiodystrophy (TTD). XP helicase patient phenotypes cannot be predicted from the mutation position along the linear gene sequence and adjacent mutations can cause different diseases. Here we consider the structural biology of DNA damage recognition by XPC-RAD23B, DDB1/DDB2, RNAPII, and ATL, and of helix unwinding by the XPB and XPD helicases plus the bacterial repair helicases UvrB and UvrD in complex with DNA. We then propose unified models for TFIIH assembly and roles in NER. Collective crystal structures with NMR and electron microscopy results reveal functional motifs, domains, and architectural elements that contribute to biological activities: damaged DNA binding, translocation, unwinding, and ATP driven changes plus TFIIH assembly and signaling. Coupled with mapping of patient mutations, these combined structural analyses provide a framework for integrating and unifying the rich biochemical and cellular information that has accumulated over forty years of study. This integration resolves puzzles regarding XP helicase functions and suggests that XP helicase positions and activities within TFIIH detect and verify damage, select the damaged strand for incision, and coordinate repair with transcription and cell cycle through CAK signaling.

A role for XRCC2 gene polymorphisms in breast cancer risk and survival

BACKGROUND

The XRCC2 gene is a key mediator in the homologous recombination repair of DNA double strand breaks. It is hypothesised that inherited variants in the XRCC2 gene might also affect susceptibility to, and survival from, breast cancer.

METHODS

The study genotyped 12 XRCC2 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1131 breast cancer cases and 1148 controls from the Sheffield Breast Cancer Study (SBCS), and examined their associations with breast cancer risk and survival by estimating ORs and HRs, and their corresponding 95% CIs. Positive findings were further investigated in 860 cases and 869 controls from the Utah Breast Cancer Study (UBCS) and jointly analysed together with available published data for breast cancer risk. The survival findings were further confirmed in studies (8074 cases) from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC).

RESULTS

The most significant association with breast cancer risk in the SBCS dataset was the XRCC2 rs3218408 SNP (recessive model p=2.3×10(-4), minor allele frequency (MAF)=0.23). This SNP yielded an OR(rec) of 1.64 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.16) in a two-site analysis of SBCS and UBCS, and a meta-OR(rec) of 1.33 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.57) when all published data were included. This SNP may mark a rare risk haplotype carried by two in 1000 of the control population. Furthermore, the XRCC2 coding R188H SNP (rs3218536, MAF=0.08) was significantly associated with poor survival, with an increased per-allele HR of 1.58 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.49) in a multivariate analysis. This effect was still evident in a pooled meta-analysis of 8781 breast cancer patients from the BCAC (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.36; p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that XRCC2 SNPs may influence breast cancer risk and survival.

Persistence and repair of bifunctional DNA adducts in tissues of laboratory animals exposed to 1,3-butadiene by inhalation

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is an important industrial and environmental chemical classified as a human carcinogen. The mechanism of BD-mediated cancer is of significant interest because of the widespread exposure of humans to BD from cigarette smoke and urban air. BD is metabolically activated to 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB), which is a highly genotoxic and mutagenic bis-alkylating agent believed to be the ultimate carcinogenic species of BD. We have previously identified several types of DEB-specific DNA adducts, including bis-N7-guanine cross-links (bis-N7-BD), N(6)-adenine-N7-guanine cross-links (N(6)A-N7G-BD), and 1,N(6)-dA exocyclic adducts. These lesions were detected in tissues of laboratory rodents exposed to BD by inhalation ( Goggin et al. (2009) Cancer Res. 69 , 2479 -2486 ). In the present work, persistence and repair of bifunctional DEB-DNA adducts in tissues of mice and rats exposed to BD by inhalation were investigated. The half-lives of the most abundant cross-links, bis-N7G-BD, in mouse liver, kidney, and lungs were 2.3-2.4 days, 4.6-5.7 days, and 4.9 days, respectively. The in vitro half-lives of bis-N7G-BD were 3.5 days (S,S isomer) and 4.0 days (meso isomer) due to their spontaneous depurination. In contrast, tissue concentrations of the minor DEB adducts, N7G-N1A-BD and 1,N(6)-HMHP-dA, remained essentially unchanged during the course of the experiment, with an estimated t(1/2) of 36-42 days. No differences were observed between DEB-DNA adduct levels in BD-treated wild type mice and the corresponding animals deficient in methyl purine glycosylase or the Xpa gene. Our results indicate that DEB-induced N7G-N1A-BD and 1,N(6)-HMHP-dA adducts persist in vivo, potentially contributing to mutations and cancer observed as a result of BD exposure.

Part 4: pharmacogenetic variability in anticancer pharmacodynamic drug effects

Response to treatment with anticancer drugs is subject to wide interindividual variability. This variability is expressed not only as differences in severity and type of toxicity, but also as differences in effectiveness. Variability in the constitution of genes involved in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic pathways of anticancer drugs has been shown to possibly translate into differences in treatment outcome. The overall knowledge in the field of pharmacogenetics has tremendously increased over the last couple of years, and has thereby provided opportunities for patient-tailored anticancer therapy. In previous parts of this series, we described pharmacogenetic variability in anticancer phase I and phase II drug metabolism and drug transport. This fourth part of a four-part series of reviews is focused on pharmacodynamic variability and encompasses genetic variation in drug target genes such as those encoding thymidylate synthase, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, and ribonucleotide reductase. Furthermore, genetic variability in other pharmacodynamic candidate genes involved in response to anticancer drugs is discussed, including genes involved in DNA repair such as those encoding excision repair crosscomplementing group 1 and group 2, x-ray crosscomplementing group 1 and group 3, and breast cancer genes 1 and 2. Finally, somatic mutations in KRAS and the gene encoding epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and implications for EGFR-targeted drugs are discussed. Potential implications and opportunities for patient and drug selection for genotype-driven anticancer therapy are outlined.

Homologous recombination repair is essential for repair of vosaroxin-induced DNA double-strand breaks

Vosaroxin (formerly voreloxin) is a first-in-class anticancer quinolone derivative that intercalates DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II, inducing site-selective double-strand breaks (DSB), G2 arrest and apoptosis. Objective responses and complete remissions were observed in phase 2 studies of vosaroxin in patients with solid and hematologic malignancies, and responses were seen in patients whose cancers were resistant to anthracyclines. The quinolone-based scaffold differentiates vosaroxin from the anthracyclines and anthracenediones, broadly used DNA intercalating topoisomerase II poisons. Here we report that vosaroxin induces a cell cycle specific pattern of DNA damage and repair that is distinct from the anthracycline, doxorubicin. Both drugs stall replication and preferentially induce DNA damage in replicating cells, with damage in G2 / M > S >> G1. However, detectable replication fork collapse, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation and long tract recombination during S phase, is induced only by doxorubicin. Furthermore, vosaroxin induces less overall DNA fragmentation. Homologous recombination repair (HRR) is critical for recovery from DNA damage induced by both agents, identifying the potential to clinically exploit synthetic lethality.

The herb medicine formula "chong lou fu fang" increases the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents and down-regulates the expression of chemotherapeutic agent resistance-related genes in human gastric cancer cells in vitro

The herb medicine formula “Chong Lou Fu Fang” (CLFF) has efficacy in inhibiting the proliferation of human gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. To explore the potentially useful combination of CLFF with chemotherapeutic agents commonly used in gastric cancer therapy, we assess the interaction between CLFF and these chemotherapeutic agents in both SGC-7901 cell lines and BGC-823 cell lines using a median effect analysis and apoptosis analysis, and we also investigate the influence of CLFF on chemotherapeutic agent-associated gene expression. The synergistic analysis indicated that CLFF had a synergistic effect on the cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in a relative broad dose inhibition range (20–95% fraction affected in SGC-7901cell lines and 5–65% fraction affected in BGC-823 cell lines), while the synergistic interaction between CLFF and oxaliplatin or docetaxel only existed in a low dose inhibition range (≤50% fraction affected in both cell lines). Combination of CLFF and chemotherapeutic agents could also induce apoptosis in a synergistic manner. After 24 h, CLFF alone or CLFF combination with chemotherapeutic agents could significantly suppress the levels of expression of chemotherapeutic agent resistance related genes in gastric cancer cells. Our findings indicate that there are useful synergistic interactions between CLFF and chemotherapeutic agents in gastric cancer cells, and the possible mechanisms might be partially due to the down-regulation of chemotherapeutic agent resistance related genes and the synergistic apoptotic effect.

FANCP/SLX4: a Swiss army knife of DNA interstrand crosslink repair

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disease characterized by congenital abnormalities, bone marrow failure and heightened cancer susceptibility. The FA proteins are known to function in the cellular defense against DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), a process that remains poorly understood. A recent spate of discoveries has led to the identification of one new FA gene, FANCP/SLX4, and two strong candidate FA genes, FAN1 and RAD51C. In this perspective we describe the discovery of FANCP/SLX4 and discuss how these new findings collectively refine our understanding of DNA ICL repair.

Expression of ERCC1 and its clinicopathological correlations in non-small cell lung cancer

Excision Repair Cross-Complementing Group 1 (ERCC1) is an important DNA repair gene, playing critical role in nucleotide excision repair pathway and having a significant influence on genomic instability. Some studies support that ERCC1 might be a potential predictive and prognostic marker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ERCC1 has also been shown to be a promising biomarker in NSCLC treated with a cisplatin-based regimen. Therefore, the determination of ERCC1 expression at DNA, mRNA and protein level in different stages of NSCLC is still an important topic in the cancer. Ninety-one formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples histopathologically diagnosed as NSCLC were examined in this study. ERCC1 expression at protein level were scored by immunohistochemistry. The gene amplification and mRNA expression levels for ERCC1 were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. There was complete concordance among the three methods in 39 tumor samples (42.9%). A strong correlation was found between DNA amplification and mRNA expression (r=0.662) while there was no correlation between mRNA and protein assessment for ERCC1 expression (r=-0.013). ERCC1 expression at mRNA and DNA level (63.1 and 84.2%, respectively) in tumors at stage III was higher than at the other stages. In contrast, the protein expression at stage II and III (56.6 and 52.6%, respectively) of NSCLC was lower than that of tumors with stage I NSCLC. These results show that the mechanism by which ERCC1 expression might play a role in tumor behavior. This study was also confirmed that the appropriate validation and qualification in methods used for ERCC1 status were needed before its clinical application and implementation.

The development of pyrrolobenzodiazepines as antitumour agents

INTRODUCTION

DNA interacting agents play a major role in cancer chemotherapy, either as single agents, in combination drug regimens, or as components of novel targeted therapies. The search for more selective and efficacious drugs that can deliver critical DNA damage with minimal side effects continues.

AREAS COVERED

The development of the pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs) from their discovery as natural products in the 1960s, through synthetic PBD monomers, PBD hybrids and conjugates, and PBD dimers is described. The latter molecules are capable of forming sequence selective, non-distorting and potently cytotoxic DNA interstrand cross-links in the minor groove of DNA. In particular, the development of PBD dimer SJG-136 (SG2000), currently in Phase II clinical trials, is presented. Potential future cancer therapeutic applications of PBDs, including their use as components of targeting strategies, are also discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

The culmination of over four decades of study on structure-activity relationships of PBDs has led to a detailed understanding of how to introduce structural modification to enhance biological activity and potency. The challenge for the next phase in the development of the PBDs is to harness this activity and potency in a new generation of cancer therapeutics.

DNA repair protein biomarkers associated with time to recurrence in triple-negative breast cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic utility of immunohistochemical assessment of key proteins in multiple DNA repair pathways in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC; estrogen receptor negative, progesterone receptor negative, and HER2/neu negative by immunohistochemistry).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Archived clinically annotated tumor specimens from 112 women with TNBC were immunostained with antibodies against DNA repair proteins and scored using digital image analysis. The cohort was divided into training and test sets for development of a multiantibody model. Scores were combined with clinical data to assess association with outcome.

RESULTS

Low XPF (P = 0.005), pMK2 (P = 0.01), MLH; P = 0.002), and FANCD2 (P = 0.001) were each associated with shorter time to recurrence (TTR) in univariate analysis. A 4-antibody model could segregate high-risk and low-risk groups on the basis of TTR in both the training (relative risk [RR] = 3.52; P = 9.05E-07) and test (RR 2.67; P = 0.019) cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

DNA repair proteins may be useful as prognostic markers in TNBC. Further study in larger, uniformly treated cohorts with additional clinical parameters is warranted.

DNA repair: exploiting the Fanconi anemia pathway as a potential therapeutic target

DNA repair is an active cellular process to respond to constant DNA damage caused by metabolic processes and environmental factors. Since the outcome of DNA damage is generally adverse and long term effects may contribute to oncogenesis, cells have developed a variety of DNA repair mechanisms, which operate depending on the type of DNA damage inflicted. At least 15 Fanconi anemia (FA) proteins interact in a common pathway involved in homologous recombination. Inherited homozygous mutations in any of these FA genes cause a rare disease, Fanconi anemia, characterized by congenital abnormalities, progressive bone-marrow failure and cancer susceptibility. Heterozygous germline FA mutations predispose to various types of cancer. In addition, somatic FA mutations have been identified in diverse cancer types. Evidence exists that cells deficient in the FA pathway become dependent on alternative pathways for survival. Additional inhibition of such alternative pathways is thus expected to result in cell death, creating a relationship of synthetic lethality. Identifying these relationships can reveal yet unknown mechanisms of DNA repair and new targets for therapy.

Immunohistochemical analysis of p53, APE1, hMSH2 and ERCC1 proteins in actinic cheilitis and lip squamous cell carcinoma

AIMS

This study has compared the tissue expression of the p53 tumour suppressor protein and DNA repair proteins APE1, hMSH2 and ERCC1 in normal, dysplastic and malignant lip epithelium.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Morphological analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed on archived specimens of normal lip mucosa (n=15), actinic cheilitis (AC) (n=30), and lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) (n=27). AC samples were classified morphologically according to the severity of epithelial dysplasia and risk of malignant transformation. LSCC samples were morphologically staged according to WHO and invasive front grading (IFG) criteria. Differences between groups and morphological stages were determined by bivariate statistical analysis. Progressive increases in the percentage of epithelial cells expressing p53 and APE1 were associated with increases in morphological malignancy from normal lip mucosa to LSCC. There was also a significant reduction in epithelial cells expressing hMSH2 and ERCC1 proteins in the AC and LSCC groups. A higher percentage of malignant cells expressing APE1 was found in samples with an aggressive morphological IFG grade.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data showed that epithelial cells from premalignant to malignant lip disease exhibited changes in the expression of p53, APE1, hMSH2 and ERCC1 proteins; these molecular change might contribute to lip carcinogenesis.

Unique dynamic properties of DNA duplexes containing interstrand cross-links

Bifunctional DNA alkylating agents form a diverse assortment of covalent DNA interstrand cross-linked (ICL) structures that are potent cytotoxins. Because it is implausible that cells could possess distinct DNA repair systems for each individual ICL, it is believed that common structural and dynamic features of ICL damage are recognized, rather than specific structural characteristics of each cross-linking agent. Investigation of the structural and dynamic properties of ICLs that might be important for recognition has been complicated by heterogeneous incorporation of these lesions into DNA. To address this problem, we have synthesized and characterized several homogeneous ICL DNAs containing site-specific staggered N4-cytosine-ethyl-N4-cytosine cross-links. Staggered cross-links were introduced in two ways, in a manner that preserves the overall structure of B-form duplex DNA and in a manner that highly distorts the DNA structure, with the goal of understanding how structural and dynamic properties of diverse ICL duplexes might flag these sites for repair. Measurements of base pair opening dynamics in the B-form ICL duplex by (1)H NMR line width or imino proton solvent exchange showed that the guanine base opposite the cross-linked cytosine opened at least 1 order of magnitude more slowly than when in a control matched normal duplex. To a lesser degree, the B-form ICL also induced a decrease in base pair opening dynamics that extended from the site of the cross-link to adjacent base pairs. In contrast, the non-B-form ICL showed extensive conformational dynamics at the site of the cross-link, which extended over the entire DNA sequence. Because DNA duplexes containing the B-form and non-B-form ICL cross-links have both been shown to be incised when incubated in mammalian whole cell extracts, while a matched normal duplex is not, we conclude that intrinsic DNA dynamics is not a requirement for specific damage incision of these ICLs. Instead, we propose a general model in which destabilized ICL duplexes serve to energetically facilitate binding of DNA repair factors that must induce bubbles or other distortions in the duplex. However, the essential requirement for incision is an immobile Y-junction where the repair factors are stably bound at the site of the ICL, and the two DNA strands are unpaired.

DNA damage response

Structural changes to DNA severely affect its functions, such as replication and transcription, and play a major role in age-related diseases and cancer. A complicated and entangled network of DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms, including multiple DNA repair pathways, damage tolerance processes, and cell-cycle checkpoints safeguard genomic integrity. Like transcription and replication, DDR is a chromatin-associated process that is generally tightly controlled in time and space. As DNA damage can occur at any time on any genomic location, a specialized spatio-temporal orchestration of this defense apparatus is required.

A dual function of the CRISPR-Cas system in bacterial antivirus immunity and DNA repair

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPRs) and the associated proteins (Cas) comprise a system of adaptive immunity against viruses and plasmids in prokaryotes. Cas1 is a CRISPR-associated protein that is common to all CRISPR-containing prokaryotes but its function remains obscure. Here we show that the purified Cas1 protein of Escherichia coli (YgbT) exhibits nuclease activity against single-stranded and branched DNAs including Holliday junctions, replication forks and 5'-flaps. The crystal structure of YgbT and site-directed mutagenesis have revealed the potential active site. Genome-wide screens show that YgbT physically and genetically interacts with key components of DNA repair systems, including recB, recC and ruvB. Consistent with these findings, the ygbT deletion strain showed increased sensitivity to DNA damage and impaired chromosomal segregation. Similar phenotypes were observed in strains with deletion of CRISPR clusters, suggesting that the function of YgbT in repair involves interaction with the CRISPRs. These results show that YgbT belongs to a novel, structurally distinct family of nucleases acting on branched DNAs and suggest that, in addition to antiviral immunity, at least some components of the CRISPR-Cas system have a function in DNA repair.

KIAA1018/FAN1 nuclease protects cells against genomic instability induced by interstrand cross-linking agents

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disease characterized by congenital defects, bone marrow failure, chromosomal instability, and cancer susceptibility. One hallmark of cells from FA patients is hypersensitivity to interstrand cross-linking agents, such as the chemotherapeutics cisplatin and mitomycin C (MMC). We have recently characterized a FANCD2/FANCI-associated nuclease, KIAA1018/FAN1, the depletion of which sensitizes human cells to these agents. However, as the down-regulation of FAN1 in human cells was mediated by siRNA and thus only transient, we were unable to study the long-term effects of FAN1 loss on chromosomal stability. We now describe the generation of chicken DT40 B cells, in which the FAN1 locus was disrupted by gene targeting. FAN1-null cells are highly sensitive to cisplatin and MMC, but not to ionizing or UV radiation, methyl methanesulfonate, or camptothecin. The cells do not display elevated sister chromatid exchange frequencies, either sporadic or MMC-induced. Interestingly, MMC treatment causes chromosomal instability that is quantitatively, but not qualitatively, comparable to that seen in FA cells. This finding, coupled with evidence showing that DT40 cells deficient in both FAN1 and FANCC, or FAN1 and FANCJ, exhibited increased sensitivity to cisplatin compared with cells lacking only FAN1, suggests that, despite its association with FANCD2/FANCI, FAN1 in DT40 cells participates in the processing of damage induced by interstrand cross-linking-generating agents also independently of the classical FA pathway.