1
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Orren DK, Machwe A. Response to Replication Stress and Maintenance of Genome Stability by WRN, the Werner Syndrome Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8300. [PMID: 39125869 PMCID: PMC11311767 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by loss of function of WRN. WS is a segmental progeroid disease and shows early onset or increased frequency of many characteristics of normal aging. WRN possesses helicase, annealing, strand exchange, and exonuclease activities and acts on a variety of DNA substrates, even complex replication and recombination intermediates. Here, we review the genetics, biochemistry, and probably physiological functions of the WRN protein. Although its precise role is unclear, evidence suggests WRN plays a role in pathways that respond to replication stress and maintain genome stability particularly in telomeric regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K. Orren
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Amrita Machwe
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
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2
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Guan Q, Zhang Y, Wang ZK, Liu XH, Zou J, Zhang LL. Skeletal phenotypes and molecular mechanisms in aging mice. Zool Res 2024; 45:724-746. [PMID: 38894518 PMCID: PMC11298674 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable physiological process, often accompanied by age-related bone loss and subsequent bone-related diseases that pose serious health risks. Research on skeletal diseases caused by aging in humans is challenging due to lengthy study durations, difficulties in sampling, regional variability, and substantial investment. Consequently, mice are preferred for such studies due to their similar motor system structure and function to humans, ease of handling and care, low cost, and short generation time. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the characteristics, limitations, applicability, bone phenotypes, and treatment methods in naturally aging mice and prematurely aging mouse models (including SAMP6, POLG mutant, LMNA, SIRT6, ZMPSTE24, TFAM, ERCC1, WERNER, and KL/KL-deficient mice). We also summarize the molecular mechanisms of these aging mouse models, including cellular DNA damage response, senescence-related secretory phenotype, telomere shortening, oxidative stress, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) abnormalities, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Overall, this review aims to enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of aging-related bone diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Guan
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- College of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhi-Kun Wang
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiao-Hua Liu
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jun Zou
- School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Ling-Li Zhang
- College of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China. E-mail:
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3
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Baltgalvis KA, Lamb KN, Symons KT, Wu CC, Hoffman MA, Snead AN, Song X, Glaza T, Kikuchi S, Green JC, Rogness DC, Lam B, Rodriguez-Aguirre ME, Woody DR, Eissler CL, Rodiles S, Negron SM, Bernard SM, Tran E, Pollock J, Tabatabaei A, Contreras V, Williams HN, Pastuszka MK, Sigler JJ, Pettazzoni P, Rudolph MG, Classen M, Brugger D, Claiborne C, Plancher JM, Cuartas I, Seoane J, Burgess LE, Abraham RT, Weinstein DS, Simon GM, Patricelli MP, Kinsella TM. Chemoproteomic discovery of a covalent allosteric inhibitor of WRN helicase. Nature 2024; 629:435-442. [PMID: 38658751 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07318-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
WRN helicase is a promising target for treatment of cancers with microsatellite instability (MSI) due to its essential role in resolving deleterious non-canonical DNA structures that accumulate in cells with faulty mismatch repair mechanisms1-5. Currently there are no approved drugs directly targeting human DNA or RNA helicases, in part owing to the challenging nature of developing potent and selective compounds to this class of proteins. Here we describe the chemoproteomics-enabled discovery of a clinical-stage, covalent allosteric inhibitor of WRN, VVD-133214. This compound selectively engages a cysteine (C727) located in a region of the helicase domain subject to interdomain movement during DNA unwinding. VVD-133214 binds WRN protein cooperatively with nucleotide and stabilizes compact conformations lacking the dynamic flexibility necessary for proper helicase function, resulting in widespread double-stranded DNA breaks, nuclear swelling and cell death in MSI-high (MSI-H), but not in microsatellite-stable, cells. The compound was well tolerated in mice and led to robust tumour regression in multiple MSI-H colorectal cancer cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models. Our work shows an allosteric approach for inhibition of WRN function that circumvents competition from an endogenous ATP cofactor in cancer cells, and designates VVD-133214 as a promising drug candidate for patients with MSI-H cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Betty Lam
- Vividion Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Piergiorgio Pettazzoni
- Pharma Research and Early Development pRED F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus G Rudolph
- Pharma Research and Early Development pRED F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Moritz Classen
- Pharma Research and Early Development pRED F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Doris Brugger
- Pharma Research and Early Development pRED F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Claiborne
- Pharma Research and Early Development pRED F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Marc Plancher
- Pharma Research and Early Development pRED F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Isabel Cuartas
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Seoane
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Robert T Abraham
- Vividion Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, USA
- Odyssey Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, USA
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4
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Yoon JH, Sellamuthu K, Prakash L, Prakash S. WRN exonuclease imparts high fidelity on translesion synthesis by Y family DNA polymerases. Genes Dev 2024; 38:213-232. [PMID: 38503516 PMCID: PMC11065173 DOI: 10.1101/gad.351410.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Purified translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases (Pols) replicate through DNA lesions with a low fidelity; however, TLS operates in a predominantly error-free manner in normal human cells. To explain this incongruity, here we determine whether Y family Pols, which play an eminent role in replication through a diversity of DNA lesions, are incorporated into a multiprotein ensemble and whether the intrinsically high error rate of the TLS Pol is ameliorated by the components in the ensemble. To this end, we provide evidence for an indispensable role of Werner syndrome protein (WRN) and WRN-interacting protein 1 (WRNIP1) in Rev1-dependent TLS by Y family Polη, Polι, or Polκ and show that WRN, WRNIP1, and Rev1 assemble together with Y family Pols in response to DNA damage. Importantly, we identify a crucial role of WRN's 3' → 5' exonuclease activity in imparting high fidelity on TLS by Y family Pols in human cells, as the Y family Pols that accomplish TLS in an error-free manner manifest high mutagenicity in the absence of WRN's exonuclease function. Thus, by enforcing high fidelity on TLS Pols, TLS mechanisms have been adapted to safeguard against genome instability and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Hoon Yoon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
| | - Karthi Sellamuthu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
| | - Louise Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
| | - Satya Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
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5
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Ito M, Fujita Y, Shinohara A. Positive and negative regulators of RAD51/DMC1 in homologous recombination and DNA replication. DNA Repair (Amst) 2024; 134:103613. [PMID: 38142595 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2023.103613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
RAD51 recombinase plays a central role in homologous recombination (HR) by forming a nucleoprotein filament on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) to catalyze homology search and strand exchange between the ssDNA and a homologous double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). The catalytic activity of RAD51 assembled on ssDNA is critical for the DNA-homology-mediated repair of DNA double-strand breaks in somatic and meiotic cells and restarting stalled replication forks during DNA replication. The RAD51-ssDNA complex also plays a structural role in protecting the regressed/reversed replication fork. Two types of regulators control RAD51 filament formation, stability, and dynamics, namely positive regulators, including mediators, and negative regulators, so-called remodelers. The appropriate balance of action by the two regulators assures genome stability. This review describes the roles of positive and negative RAD51 regulators in HR and DNA replication and its meiosis-specific homolog DMC1 in meiotic recombination. We also provide future study directions for a comprehensive understanding of RAD51/DMC1-mediated regulation in maintaining and inheriting genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Ito
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Yurika Fujita
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Akira Shinohara
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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Le ST, Choi S, Lee SW, Kim H, Ahn B. ssDNA reeling is an intermediate step in the reiterative DNA unwinding activity of the WRN-1 helicase. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105081. [PMID: 37495105 PMCID: PMC10480542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
RecQ helicases are highly conserved between bacteria and humans. These helicases unwind various DNA structures in the 3' to 5'. Defective helicase activity elevates genomic instability and is associated with predisposition to cancer and/or premature aging. Recent single-molecule analyses have revealed the repetitive unwinding behavior of RecQ helicases from Escherichia coli to humans. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying this behavior are unclear. Here, we performed single-molecule studies of WRN-1 Caenorhabditis elegans RecQ helicase on various DNA constructs and characterized WRN-1 unwinding dynamics. We showed that WRN-1 persistently repeated cycles of DNA unwinding and rewinding with an unwinding limit of 25 to 31 bp per cycle. Furthermore, by monitoring the ends of the displaced strand during DNA unwinding we demonstrated that WRN-1 reels in the ssDNA overhang in an ATP-dependent manner. While WRN-1 reeling activity was inhibited by a C. elegans homolog of human replication protein A, we found that C. elegans replication protein A actually switched the reiterative unwinding activity of WRN-1 to unidirectional unwinding. These results reveal that reeling-in ssDNA is an intermediate step in the reiterative unwinding process for WRN-1 (i.e., the process proceeds via unwinding-reeling-rewinding). We propose that the reiterative unwinding activity of WRN-1 may prevent extensive unwinding, allow time for partner proteins to assemble on the active region, and permit additional modulation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Son Truong Le
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoyun Choi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Seung-Won Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hajin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea; Center for Genomic Integrity, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byungchan Ahn
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Parker MJ, Lee H, Yao S, Irwin S, Hwang S, Belanger K, de Mare SW, Surgenor R, Yan L, Gee P, Morla S, Puyang X, Hsiao P, Zeng H, Zhu P, Korpal M, Dransfield P, Bolduc DM, Larsen NA. Identification of 2-Sulfonyl/Sulfonamide Pyrimidines as Covalent Inhibitors of WRN Using a Multiplexed High-Throughput Screening Assay. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2147-2160. [PMID: 37403936 PMCID: PMC10358344 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Werner syndrome protein (WRN) is a multifunctional enzyme with helicase, ATPase, and exonuclease activities that are necessary for numerous DNA-related transactions in the human cell. Recent studies identified WRN as a synthetic lethal target in cancers characterized by genomic microsatellite instability resulting from defects in DNA mismatch repair pathways. WRN's helicase activity is essential for the viability of these high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) cancers and thus presents a therapeutic opportunity. To this end, we developed a multiplexed high-throughput screening assay that monitors exonuclease, ATPase, and helicase activities of full-length WRN. This screening campaign led to the discovery of 2-sulfonyl/sulfonamide pyrimidine derivatives as novel covalent inhibitors of WRN helicase activity. The compounds are specific for WRN versus other human RecQ family members and show competitive behavior with ATP. Examination of these novel chemical probes established the sulfonamide NH group as a key driver of compound potency. One of the leading compounds, H3B-960, showed consistent activities in a range of assays (IC50 = 22 nM, KD = 40 nM, KI = 32 nM), and the most potent compound identified, H3B-968, has inhibitory activity IC50 ∼ 10 nM. These kinetic properties trend toward other known covalent druglike molecules. Our work provides a new avenue for screening WRN for inhibitors that may be adaptable to different therapeutic modalities such as targeted protein degradation, as well as a proof of concept for the inhibition of WRN helicase activity by covalent molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie J. Parker
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Hyelee Lee
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Shihua Yao
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sean Irwin
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sunil Hwang
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Kylie Belanger
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sofia Woo de Mare
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Richard Surgenor
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Lu Yan
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Patricia Gee
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Shravan Morla
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Xiaoling Puyang
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Peng Hsiao
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Hao Zeng
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Ping Zhu
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Manav Korpal
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Paul Dransfield
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - David M. Bolduc
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Nicholas A. Larsen
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Suite 5, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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8
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Qin X, Wang J, Wang X, Huang T, Fang Z, Yan L, Fan Y, Xu D. Widespread genomic/molecular alterations of DNA helicases and their clinical/therapeutic implications across human cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114193. [PMID: 36586240 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA helicases are essential to genomic stability by regulating DNA metabolisms and their loss-of-function mutations lead to genomic instability and predisposition to cancer. Paradoxically, overexpression of DNA helicases is observed in several cancers. Here we analyzed genomic and molecular alterations in 12 important DNA helicases in TCGA pan-cancers to provide an overview of their aberrations. Significant expression heterogeneity of 12 DNA helicases was observed. We calculated DNA helicase score (DHS) based on their expression, and categorized tumors into high, low and intermediate subtypes. High DHS subtypes were robustly associated with stemness, proliferation, hyperactivated oncogenic signaling, longer telomeres, total mutation burden, copy number alterations (CNAs) and shorter survival. Importantly, tumors with high DHSs exhibited stronger expression of alternative end-join (alt-EJ) factors, indicative of sensitivity to chemo- and radio-therapies. High DHSs were also associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), BRCA1/2 mutations and sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Moreover, several drugs are identified to inhibit DNA helicases, with the Auror A kinase inhibitor Danusertib as the strongest candidate that was confirmed experimentally. The aberrant expression of DNA helicases was associated with CNAs, DNA methylation and m6A regulators. Our findings thus reveal widespread dysregulation of DNA helicases and their broad connection with featured oncogenic aberrations across human cancers. The close association of DHS with the alt-EJ pathway and HRD, and identification of Danusertib as a putative DNA helicase inhibitor have translational significance. Taken together, these findings will contribute to DNA helicase-based cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Qin
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Urologic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Urology Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Urologic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zhiqing Fang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden.
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Romero-Zamora D, Hayashi MT. A non-catalytic N-terminus domain of WRN prevents mitotic telomere deprotection. Sci Rep 2023; 13:645. [PMID: 36635307 PMCID: PMC9837040 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27598-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeric ends form a loop structure (T-loop) necessary for the repression of ATM kinase activation throughout the normal cell cycle. However, cells undergoing a prolonged mitotic arrest are prone to lose the T-loop, resulting in Aurora B kinase-dependent mitotic telomere deprotection, which was proposed as an anti-tumor mechanism that eliminates precancerous cells from the population. The mechanism of mitotic telomere deprotection has not been elucidated. Here, we show that WRN, a RECQ helicase family member, can suppress mitotic telomere deprotection independently of its exonuclease and helicase activities. Truncation of WRN revealed that N-terminus amino acids 168-333, a region that contains a coiled-coil motif, is sufficient to suppress mitotic telomere deprotection without affecting both mitotic Aurora B-dependent spindle checkpoint and ATM kinase activity. The suppressive activity of the WRN168-333 fragment is diminished in cells partially depleted of TRF2, while WRN is required for complete suppression of mitotic telomere deprotection by TRF2 overexpression. Finally, we found that phosphomimetic but not alanine mutations of putative Aurora B target sites in the WRN168-333 fragment abolished its suppressive effect. Our findings reveal a non-enzymatic function of WRN, which may be regulated by phosphorylation in cells undergoing mitotic arrest. We propose that WRN enhances the protective function of TRF2 to counteract the hypothetical pathway that resolves the mitotic T-loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Romero-Zamora
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan ,grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033IFOM-KU Joint Research Laboratory, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan
| | - Makoto T. Hayashi
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033IFOM-KU Joint Research Laboratory, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan ,IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
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10
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Shin S, Hyun K, Lee J, Joo D, Kulikowicz T, Bohr V, Kim J, Hohng S. Werner syndrome protein works as a dimer for unwinding and replication fork regression. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:337-348. [PMID: 36583333 PMCID: PMC9841404 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The determination of the oligomeric state of functional enzymes is essential for the mechanistic understanding of their catalytic activities. RecQ helicases have diverse biochemical activities, but it is still unclear how their activities are related to their oligomeric states. We use single-molecule multi-color fluorescence imaging to determine the oligomeric states of Werner syndrome protein (WRN) during its unwinding and replication fork regression activities. We reveal that WRN binds to a forked DNA as a dimer, and unwinds it without any change of its oligomeric state. In contrast, WRN binds to a replication fork as a tetramer, and is dimerized during activation of replication fork regression. By selectively inhibiting the helicase activity of WRN on specific strands, we reveal how the active dimers of WRN distinctly use the energy of ATP hydrolysis for repetitive unwinding and replication fork regression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jinwoo Lee
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongwon Joo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tomasz Kulikowicz
- Section on DNA repair, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Vilhelm A Bohr
- Section on DNA repair, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Jaehoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungchul Hohng
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +82 2 880 6593;
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11
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Baxter JS, Zatreanu D, Pettitt SJ, Lord CJ. Resistance to DNA repair inhibitors in cancer. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3811-3827. [PMID: 35567571 PMCID: PMC9627783 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA damage response (DDR) represents a complex network of proteins which detect and repair DNA damage, thereby maintaining the integrity of the genome and preventing the transmission of mutations and rearranged chromosomes to daughter cells. Faults in the DDR are a known driver and hallmark of cancer. Furthermore, inhibition of DDR enzymes can be used to treat the disease. This is exemplified by PARP inhibitors (PARPi) used to treat cancers with defects in the homologous recombination DDR pathway. A series of novel DDR targets are now also under pre-clinical or clinical investigation, including inhibitors of ATR kinase, WRN helicase or the DNA polymerase/helicase Polθ (Pol-Theta). Drug resistance is a common phenomenon that impairs the overall effectiveness of cancer treatments and there is already some understanding of how resistance to PARPi occurs. Here, we discuss how an understanding of PARPi resistance could inform how resistance to new drugs targeting the DDR emerges. We also discuss potential strategies that could limit the impact of these therapy resistance mechanisms in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S. Baxter
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research CentreThe Institute of Cancer ResearchLondonUK
| | - Diana Zatreanu
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research CentreThe Institute of Cancer ResearchLondonUK
| | - Stephen J. Pettitt
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research CentreThe Institute of Cancer ResearchLondonUK
| | - Christopher J. Lord
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research CentreThe Institute of Cancer ResearchLondonUK
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12
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Research on Werner Syndrome: Trends from Past to Present and Future Prospects. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101802. [PMID: 36292687 PMCID: PMC9601476 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A rare and autosomal recessive premature aging disorder, Werner syndrome (WS) is characterized by the early onset of aging-associated diseases, including shortening stature, alopecia, bilateral cataracts, skin ulcers, diabetes, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, and chromosomal instability, as well as cancer predisposition. WRN, the gene responsible for WS, encodes DNA helicase with a 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity, and numerous studies have revealed that WRN helicase is involved in the maintenance of chromosome stability through actions in DNA, e.g., DNA replication, repair, recombination, and epigenetic regulation via interaction with DNA repair factors, telomere-binding proteins, histone modification enzymes, and other DNA metabolic factors. However, although these efforts have elucidated the cellular functions of the helicase in cell lines, they have not been linked to the treatment of the disease. Life expectancy has improved for WS patients over the past three decades, and it is hoped that a fundamental treatment for the disease will be developed. Disease-specific induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have been established, and these are expected to be used in drug discovery and regenerative medicine for WS patients. In this article, we review trends in research to date and present some perspectives on WS research with regard to the application of pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, the elucidation of disease mechanisms and drug discovery utilizing the vast amount of scientific data accumulated to date will be discussed.
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13
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Thakkar MK, Lee J, Meyer S, Chang VY. RecQ Helicase Somatic Alterations in Cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:887758. [PMID: 35782872 PMCID: PMC9240438 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.887758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Named the “caretakers” of the genome, RecQ helicases function in several pathways to maintain genomic stability and repair DNA. This highly conserved family of enzymes consist of five different proteins in humans: RECQL1, BLM, WRN, RECQL4, and RECQL5. Biallelic germline mutations in BLM, WRN, and RECQL4 have been linked to rare cancer-predisposing syndromes. Emerging research has also implicated somatic alterations in RecQ helicases in a variety of cancers, including hematological malignancies, breast cancer, osteosarcoma, amongst others. These alterations in RecQ helicases, particularly overexpression, may lead to increased resistance of cancer cells to conventional chemotherapy. Downregulation of these proteins may allow for increased sensitivity to chemotherapy, and, therefore, may be important therapeutic targets. Here we provide a comprehensive review of our current understanding of the role of RecQ DNA helicases in cancer and discuss the potential therapeutic opportunities in targeting these helicases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha K. Thakkar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jamie Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Stefan Meyer
- Division of Cancer Studies, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian Y. Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Childrens Discovery and Innovation Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Vivian Y. Chang,
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14
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Priolo M, Palermo V, Aiello F, Ciolfi A, Pannone L, Muto V, Motta M, Mancini C, Radio FC, Niceta M, Leoni C, Pintomalli L, Carrozzo R, Rajola G, Mammì C, Zampino G, Martinelli S, Dallapiccola B, Pichierri P, Tartaglia M. SHP2's gain-of-function in Werner syndrome causes childhood disease onset likely resulting from negative genetic interaction. Clin Genet 2022; 102:12-21. [PMID: 35396703 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Prompt diagnosis of complex phenotypes is a challenging task in clinical genetics. Whole exome sequencing has proved to be effective in solving such conditions. Here, we report on an unpredictable presentation of Werner Syndrome (WRNS) in a 12 year-old girl carrying a homozygous truncating variant in RECQL2, the gene mutated in WRNS, and a de novo activating missense change in PTPN11, the major Noonan syndrome gene, encoding SHP2, a protein tyrosine phosphatase positively controlling RAS function and MAPK signaling, which have tightly been associated with senescence in primary cells. All the major WRNS clinical criteria were present with an extreme precocious onset and were associated with mild intellectual disability, severe growth retardation and facial dysmorphism. Compared to primary fibroblasts from adult subjects with WRNS, proband's fibroblasts showed a dramatically reduced proliferation rate and competence, and a more accelerated senescence, in line with the anticipated WRNS features occurring in the child. In vitro functional characterization of the SHP2 mutant documented its hyperactive behavior and a significantly enhanced activation of the MAPK pathway. Based on the functional interaction of WRN and MAPK signaling in processes relevant to replicative senescence, these findings disclose a unique phenotype likely resulting from negative genetic interaction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Priolo
- Genetica Medica, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano "Bianchi Melacrino Morelli", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Valentina Palermo
- Department of Environment and Health Mechanisms, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Aiello
- Department of Environment and Health Mechanisms, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciolfi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Pannone
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Muto
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marialetizia Motta
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Mancini
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marcello Niceta
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Leoni
- Center for Rare Disease and Congenital Defects, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Pintomalli
- Genetica Medica, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano "Bianchi Melacrino Morelli", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Rosalba Carrozzo
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rajola
- UOC Pediatria, Azienda Ospedaliera "Pugliese-Ciaccio", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Corrado Mammì
- Genetica Medica, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano "Bianchi Melacrino Morelli", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zampino
- Center for Rare Disease and Congenital Defects, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Martinelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Dallapiccola
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Pichierri
- Department of Environment and Health Mechanisms, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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15
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Maity J, Horibata S, Zurcher G, Lee JM. Targeting of RecQ Helicases as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051219. [PMID: 35267530 PMCID: PMC8909030 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RecQ helicases are essential for DNA replication, recombination, DNA damage repair, and other nucleic acid metabolic pathways required for normal cell growth, survival, and genome stability. More recently, RecQ helicases have been shown to be important for replication fork stabilization, one of the major mechanisms of PARP inhibitor resistance. Cancer cells often have upregulated helicases and depend on these enzymes to repair rapid growth-promoted DNA lesions. Several studies are now evaluating the use of RecQ helicases as potential biomarkers of breast and gynecologic cancers. Furthermore, RecQ helicases have attracted interest as possible targets for cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of RecQ helicases and their interacting partners that may be utilized for effective treatment strategies (as cancers depend on helicases for survival). We also discuss how targeting helicase in combination with DNA repair inhibitors (i.e., PARP and ATR inhibitors) can be used as novel approaches for cancer treatment to increase sensitivity to current treatment to prevent rise of treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotirindra Maity
- Women’s Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.M.); (G.Z.)
| | - Sachi Horibata
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Grant Zurcher
- Women’s Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.M.); (G.Z.)
| | - Jung-Min Lee
- Women’s Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.M.); (G.Z.)
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (J.M.L.)
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16
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Marabitti V, Valenzisi P, Lillo G, Malacaria E, Palermo V, Pichierri P, Franchitto A. R-Loop-Associated Genomic Instability and Implication of WRN and WRNIP1. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031547. [PMID: 35163467 PMCID: PMC8836129 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of genome stability is crucial for cell survival and relies on accurate DNA replication. However, replication fork progression is under constant attack from different exogenous and endogenous factors that can give rise to replication stress, a source of genomic instability and a notable hallmark of pre-cancerous and cancerous cells. Notably, one of the major natural threats for DNA replication is transcription. Encounters or conflicts between replication and transcription are unavoidable, as they compete for the same DNA template, so that collisions occur quite frequently. The main harmful transcription-associated structures are R-loops. These are DNA structures consisting of a DNA–RNA hybrid and a displaced single-stranded DNA, which play important physiological roles. However, if their homeostasis is altered, they become a potent source of replication stress and genome instability giving rise to several human diseases, including cancer. To combat the deleterious consequences of pathological R-loop persistence, cells have evolved multiple mechanisms, and an ever growing number of replication fork protection factors have been implicated in preventing/removing these harmful structures; however, many others are perhaps still unknown. In this review, we report the current knowledge on how aberrant R-loops affect genome integrity and how they are handled, and we discuss our recent findings on the role played by two fork protection factors, the Werner syndrome protein (WRN) and the Werner helicase-interacting protein 1 (WRNIP1) in response to R-loop-induced genome instability.
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17
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Ogata H, Akita S, Ikehara S, Azuma K, Yamaguchi T, Maimaiti M, Maezawa Y, Kubota Y, Yokote K, Mitsukawa N, Ikehara Y. Calcification in Werner syndrome associated with lymphatic vessels aging. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:25717-25728. [PMID: 34958633 PMCID: PMC8751599 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
In addition to the symptoms of aging, the main symptoms in Werner syndrome (WS), a hereditary premature aging disease, include calcification of subcutaneous tissue with solid pain and refractory skin ulcers. However, the mechanism of calcification in WS remains unclear. In this study, the histological analysis of the skin around the ulcer with calcification revealed an accumulation of calcium phosphate in the lymphatic vessels. Moreover, the morphological comparison with the lymphatic vessels in PAD patients with chronic skin ulcers demonstrated the ongoing lymphatic remodeling in WS patients because of the narrow luminal cross-sectional area (LA) of the lymphatic vessels but the increment of lymphatic microvessels density (MLVD). Additionally, fluorescence immunohistochemical analysis presented the cytoplasmic distribution and the accumulation of WRN proteins in endothelial cells on remodeling lymphatic vessels. In summary, these results point out a relationship between calcification in lymphatic vessels and the remodeling of lymphatic vessels and suggest the significance of the accumulation of WRN mutant proteins as an age-related change in WS patients. Thus, cytoplasmic accumulation of WRN protein can be an indicator of the decreasing drainage function of the lymphatic vessels and the increased risk of skin ulcers and calcification in the lymphatic vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideyuki Ogata
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Akita
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sanae Ikehara
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Azuma
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamaguchi
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Maihulan Maimaiti
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshiro Maezawa
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Division of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Kubota
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Koutaro Yokote
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology and Gerontology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Division of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Mitsukawa
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Ikehara
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
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18
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Schafer MJ, Campisi J, Niedernhofer LJ. A conversation with Judith Campisi: Leader in the field of aging research. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 69:101366. [PMID: 34015525 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marissa J Schafer
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States; Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Judith Campisi
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, United States
| | - Laura J Niedernhofer
- Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
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19
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Wang H, Lautrup S, Caponio D, Zhang J, Fang EF. DNA Damage-Induced Neurodegeneration in Accelerated Ageing and Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136748. [PMID: 34201700 PMCID: PMC8268089 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA repair ensures genomic stability to achieve healthy ageing, including cognitive maintenance. Mutations on genes encoding key DNA repair proteins can lead to diseases with accelerated ageing phenotypes. Some of these diseases are xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XPA, caused by mutation of XPA), Cockayne syndrome group A and group B (CSA, CSB, and are caused by mutations of CSA and CSB, respectively), ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T, caused by mutation of ATM), and Werner syndrome (WS, with most cases caused by mutations in WRN). Except for WS, a common trait of the aforementioned progerias is neurodegeneration. Evidence from studies using animal models and patient tissues suggests that the associated DNA repair deficiencies lead to depletion of cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), resulting in impaired mitophagy, accumulation of damaged mitochondria, metabolic derailment, energy deprivation, and finally leading to neuronal dysfunction and loss. Intriguingly, these features are also observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common type of dementia affecting more than 50 million individuals worldwide. Further studies on the mechanisms of the DNA repair deficient premature ageing diseases will help to unveil the mystery of ageing and may provide novel therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heling Wang
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, University of Oslo, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway; (H.W.); (S.L.); (D.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Sofie Lautrup
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, University of Oslo, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway; (H.W.); (S.L.); (D.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Domenica Caponio
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, University of Oslo, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway; (H.W.); (S.L.); (D.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, University of Oslo, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway; (H.W.); (S.L.); (D.C.); (J.Z.)
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Evandro F. Fang
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, University of Oslo, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway; (H.W.); (S.L.); (D.C.); (J.Z.)
- The Norwegian Centre on Healthy Ageing (NO-Age), 0010 Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence:
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20
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Ababou M. Bloom syndrome and the underlying causes of genetic instability. Mol Genet Metab 2021; 133:35-48. [PMID: 33736941 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Autosomal hereditary recessive diseases characterized by genetic instability are often associated with cancer predisposition. Bloom syndrome (BS), a rare genetic disorder, with <300 cases reported worldwide, combines both. Indeed, patients with Bloom's syndrome are 150 to 300 times more likely to develop cancers than normal individuals. The wide spectrum of cancers developed by BS patients suggests that early initial events occur in BS cells which may also be involved in the initiation of carcinogenesis in the general population and these may be common to several cancers. BS is caused by mutations of both copies of the BLM gene, encoding the RecQ BLM helicase. This review discusses the different aspects of BS and the different cellular functions of BLM in genome surveillance and maintenance through its major roles during DNA replication, repair, and transcription. BLM's activities are essential for the stabilization of centromeric, telomeric and ribosomal DNA sequences, and the regulation of innate immunity. One of the key objectives of this work is to establish a link between BLM functions and the main clinical phenotypes observed in BS patients, as well as to shed new light on the correlation between the genetic instability and diseases such as immunodeficiency and cancer. The different potential implications of the BLM helicase in the tumorigenic process and the use of BLM as new potential target in the field of cancer treatment are also debated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouna Ababou
- Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco; Genomic Center of Human Pathologies, Faculty of medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco.
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21
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Lejault P, Mitteaux J, Sperti FR, Monchaud D. How to untie G-quadruplex knots and why? Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:436-455. [PMID: 33596431 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
For over two decades, the prime objective of the chemical biology community studying G-quadruplexes (G4s) has been to use chemicals to interact with and stabilize G4s in cells to obtain mechanistic interpretations. This strategy has been undoubtedly successful, as demonstrated by recent advances. However, these insights have also led to a fundamental rethinking of G4-targeting strategies: due to the prevalence of G4s in the human genome, transcriptome, and ncRNAome (collectively referred to as the G4ome), and their involvement in human diseases, should we continue developing G4-stabilizing ligands or should we invest in designing molecular tools to unfold G4s? Here, we first focus on how, when, and where G4s fold in cells; then, we describe the enzymatic systems that have evolved to counteract G4 folding and how they have been used as tools to manipulate G4s in cells; finally, we present strategies currently being implemented to devise new molecular G4 unwinding agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Lejault
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne, ICMUB CNRS UMR 6302, UBFC Dijon, France
| | - Jérémie Mitteaux
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne, ICMUB CNRS UMR 6302, UBFC Dijon, France
| | - Francesco Rota Sperti
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne, ICMUB CNRS UMR 6302, UBFC Dijon, France
| | - David Monchaud
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne, ICMUB CNRS UMR 6302, UBFC Dijon, France.
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22
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Zhu M, Wu W, Togashi Y, Liang W, Miyoshi Y, Ohta T. HERC2 inactivation abrogates nucleolar localization of RecQ helicases BLM and WRN. Sci Rep 2021; 11:360. [PMID: 33432007 PMCID: PMC7801386 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79715-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleolus is a nuclear structure composed of ribosomal DNA (rDNA), and functions as a site for rRNA synthesis and processing. The rDNA is guanine-rich and prone to form G-quadruplex (G4), a secondary structure of DNA. We have recently found that HERC2, an HECT ubiquitin ligase, promotes BLM and WRN RecQ DNA helicases to resolve the G4 structure. Here, we report the role of HERC2 in the regulation of nucleolar localization of the helicases. Furthermore, HERC2 inactivation enhances the effects of CX-5461, an inhibitor of RNA polymerase I (Pol I)-mediated transcription of rRNA with an intrinsic G4-stabilizing activity. HERC2 depletion or homozygous deletion of the C-terminal HECT domain of HERC2 prevented the nucleolar localization of BLM and WRN, and inhibited relocalization of BLM to replication stress-induced nuclear RPA foci. HERC2 colocalized with fibrillarin and Pol I subunit RPA194, both of which are required for rRNA transcription. The HERC2 dysfunction enhanced the suppression of pre-rRNA transcription by CX-5461. These results suggest the effect of HERC2 status on the functions of BLM and WRN on rRNA transcription in the nucleolus. Since HERC2 is downregulated in numerous cancers, this effect may be clinically relevant considering the beneficial effects of CX-5461 in cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhang Zhu
- Department of Translational Oncology, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-16-1, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, 216-8511, Japan.,Department of General Surgery, The People's Hospital of Gaoming District of Foshan City, Foshan, 528500, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenwen Wu
- Department of Translational Oncology, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-16-1, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, 216-8511, Japan
| | - Yukiko Togashi
- Department of Translational Oncology, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-16-1, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, 216-8511, Japan
| | - Weixin Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The People's Hospital of Gaoming District of Foshan City, Foshan, 528500, Guangdong, China
| | - Yasuo Miyoshi
- Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Ohta
- Department of Translational Oncology, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-16-1, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, 216-8511, Japan.
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23
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Checkpoint functions of RecQ helicases at perturbed DNA replication fork. Curr Genet 2021; 67:369-382. [PMID: 33427950 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-020-01147-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
DNA replication checkpoint is a cell signaling pathway that is activated in response to perturbed replication. Although it is crucial for maintaining genomic integrity and cell survival, the exact mechanism of the checkpoint signaling remains to be understood. Emerging evidence has shown that RecQ helicases, a large family of helicases that are conserved from bacteria to yeasts and humans, contribute to the replication checkpoint as sensors, adaptors, or regulation targets. Here, we highlight the multiple functions of RecQ helicases in the replication checkpoint in four model organisms and present additional evidence that fission yeast RecQ helicase Rqh1 may participate in the replication checkpoint as a sensor.
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24
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Newman JA, Gavard AE, Lieb S, Ravichandran MC, Hauer K, Werni P, Geist L, Böttcher J, Engen JR, Rumpel K, Samwer M, Petronczki M, Gileadi O. Structure of the helicase core of Werner helicase, a key target in microsatellite instability cancers. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:e202000795. [PMID: 33199508 PMCID: PMC7671478 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of WRN, a DNA repair helicase, was identified as a strong vulnerability of microsatellite instable (MSI) cancers, making WRN a promising drug target. We show that ATP binding and hydrolysis are required for genome integrity and viability of MSI cancer cells. We report a 2.2-Å crystal structure of the WRN helicase core (517-1,093), comprising the two helicase subdomains and winged helix domain but not the HRDC domain or nuclease domains. The structure highlights unusual features. First, an atypical mode of nucleotide binding that results in unusual relative positioning of the two helicase subdomains. Second, an additional β-hairpin in the second helicase subdomain and an unusual helical hairpin in the Zn2+ binding domain. Modelling of the WRN helicase in complex with DNA suggests roles for these features in the binding of alternative DNA structures. NMR analysis shows a weak interaction between the HRDC domain and the helicase core, indicating a possible biological role for this association. Together, this study will facilitate the structure-based development of inhibitors against WRN helicase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Newman
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Simone Lieb
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Katja Hauer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Werni
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jark Böttcher
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - John R Engen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Klaus Rumpel
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Opher Gileadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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25
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Iglesias-Pedraz JM, Fossatti-Jara DM, Valle-Riestra-Felice V, Cruz-Visalaya SR, Ayala Felix JA, Comai L. WRN modulates translation by influencing nuclear mRNA export in HeLa cancer cells. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:71. [PMID: 33054770 PMCID: PMC7557079 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-020-00315-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Werner syndrome protein (WRN) belongs to the RecQ family of helicases and its loss of function results in the premature aging disease Werner syndrome (WS). We previously demonstrated that an early cellular change induced by WRN depletion is a posttranscriptional decrease in the levels of enzymes involved in metabolic pathways that control macromolecular synthesis and protect from oxidative stress. This metabolic shift is tolerated by normal cells but causes mitochondria dysfunction and acute oxidative stress in rapidly growing cancer cells, thereby suppressing their proliferation. RESULTS To identify the mechanism underlying this metabolic shift, we examined global protein synthesis and mRNA nucleocytoplasmic distribution after WRN knockdown. We determined that WRN depletion in HeLa cells attenuates global protein synthesis without affecting the level of key components of the mRNA export machinery. We further observed that WRN depletion affects the nuclear export of mRNAs and demonstrated that WRN interacts with mRNA and the Nuclear RNA Export Factor 1 (NXF1). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that WRN influences the export of mRNAs from the nucleus through its interaction with the NXF1 export receptor thereby affecting cellular proteostasis. In summary, we identified a new partner and a novel function of WRN, which is especially important for the proliferation of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Iglesias-Pedraz
- Departamento de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Laboratorio de Genética Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad Científica del Sur, Villa El Salvador, 15842 Lima, Peru
| | - Diego Matia Fossatti-Jara
- Departamento de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Laboratorio de Genética Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad Científica del Sur, Villa El Salvador, 15842 Lima, Peru
- Present address: National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Valeria Valle-Riestra-Felice
- Departamento de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Laboratorio de Genética Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad Científica del Sur, Villa El Salvador, 15842 Lima, Peru
| | - Sergio Rafael Cruz-Visalaya
- Departamento de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Laboratorio de Genética Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad Científica del Sur, Villa El Salvador, 15842 Lima, Peru
| | - Jose Antonio Ayala Felix
- Departamento de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Laboratorio de Genética Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad Científica del Sur, Villa El Salvador, 15842 Lima, Peru
| | - Lucio Comai
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, Longevity Institute, Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
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26
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Mutations in conserved functional domains of human RecQ helicases are associated with diseases and cancer: A review. Biophys Chem 2020; 265:106433. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2020.106433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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27
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Li M, Liu B, Yi J, Yang Y, Wang J, Zhu WG, Luo J. MIB1-mediated degradation of WRN promotes cellular senescence in response to camptothecin treatment. FASEB J 2020; 34:11488-11497. [PMID: 32652764 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000268rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Werner syndrome protein (WRN) plays critical roles in DNA replication, recombination, and repair, as well as transcription and cellular senescence. Ubiquitination and degradation of WRN have been reported, however, the E3 ubiquitin ligase of WRN is little known. Here, we identify mindbomb E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (MIB1) as a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase for WRN protein. MIB1 physically interacts with WRN in vitro and in vivo and induces ubiquitination and degradation of WRN in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Camptothecin (CPT) enhances the interaction between MIB1 and WRN, and promotes WRN degradation in a MIB1-dependent manner. In addition, CPT-induced cellular senescence is facilitated by the expression of MIB1 and attenuated by WRN expression. Our results show that MIB1-mediated degradation of WRN promotes cellular senescence and reveal a novel model executed by MIB1 and WRN to regulate cellular senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiting Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Boya Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjie Yi
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jiadong Wang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Guo Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianyuan Luo
- Department of Medical Genetics, Center for Medical Genetics, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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28
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Jain CK, Mukhopadhyay S, Ganguly A. RecQ Family Helicases in Replication Fork Remodeling and Repair: Opening New Avenues towards the Identification of Potential Targets for Cancer Chemotherapy. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2020; 20:1311-1326. [PMID: 32418530 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200518082433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Replication fork reversal and restart has gained immense interest as a central response mechanism to replication stress following DNA damage. Although the exact mechanism of fork reversal has not been elucidated precisely, the involvement of diverse pathways and different factors has been demonstrated, which are central to this phenomenon. RecQ helicases known for their vital role in DNA repair and maintaining genome stability has recently been implicated in the restart of regressed replication forks. Through interaction with vital proteins like Poly (ADP) ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1), these helicases participate in the replication fork reversal and restart phenomenon. Most therapeutic agents used for cancer chemotherapy act by causing DNA damage in replicating cells and subsequent cell death. These DNA damages can be repaired by mechanisms involving fork reversal as the key phenomenon eventually reducing the efficacy of the therapeutic agent. Hence the factors contributing to this repair process can be good selective targets for developing more efficient chemotherapeutic agents. In this review, we have discussed in detail the role of various proteins in replication fork reversal and restart with special emphasis on RecQ helicases. Involvement of other proteins like PARP1, recombinase rad51, SWI/SNF complex has also been discussed. Since RecQ helicases play a central role in the DNA damage response following chemotherapeutic treatment, we propose that targeting these helicases can emerge as an alternative to available intervention strategies. We have also summarized the current research status of available RecQ inhibitors and siRNA based therapeutic approaches that targets RecQ helicases. In summary, our review gives an overview of the DNA damage responses involving replication fork reversal and provides new directions for the development of more efficient and sustainable chemotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetan K Jain
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Swagata Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Agneyo Ganguly
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
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29
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Singh A, Ganguly S, Chhabra N, Yadav H, Oshima J. A Case Report of Werner's Syndrome With a Novel Mutation From India. Cureus 2020; 12:e8025. [PMID: 32528764 PMCID: PMC7282380 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.8025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Werner's syndrome (WS) or progeria adultorum is a heritable autosomal recessive disease in which the aging process is accelerated, just after puberty. It is caused by mutations in the WRN gene, which encodes a member of the RECQ family of DNA helicases and has a role in DNA repair. WS is being more appropriately recognized as a condition in which the lack of WRN protein results in an overall decline in the normal physiological functions of various organs rather than premature aging. Here, we describe a rare case of WS with a novel mutation from India. Our patient was an adult male with a history of growth arrest since puberty and other clinical features such as sclerodermatous skin changes, premature graying and thinning of hair, bilateral cataract, a single non-healing ulcer, hypothyroidism, underdeveloped secondary sexual characters with hypogonadism, infertility, squeaky voice, and early signs of arteriosclerosis. On genetic analysis, he was found to have a homozygous pathogenic variant c.3190C>T in exon 26 of the WRN gene, which has never been reported in WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajeet Singh
- Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, IND
| | - Satyaki Ganguly
- Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, IND
| | - Namrata Chhabra
- Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, IND
| | - Hitesh Yadav
- Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, IND
| | - Junko Oshima
- Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
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30
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Brosh RM, Matson SW. History of DNA Helicases. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11030255. [PMID: 32120966 PMCID: PMC7140857 DOI: 10.3390/genes11030255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the DNA double helix, there has been a fascination in understanding the molecular mechanisms and cellular processes that account for: (i) the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next and (ii) the remarkable stability of the genome. Nucleic acid biologists have endeavored to unravel the mysteries of DNA not only to understand the processes of DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription but to also characterize the underlying basis of genetic diseases characterized by chromosomal instability. Perhaps unexpectedly at first, DNA helicases have arisen as a key class of enzymes to study in this latter capacity. From the first discovery of ATP-dependent DNA unwinding enzymes in the mid 1970's to the burgeoning of helicase-dependent pathways found to be prevalent in all kingdoms of life, the story of scientific discovery in helicase research is rich and informative. Over four decades after their discovery, we take this opportunity to provide a history of DNA helicases. No doubt, many chapters are left to be written. Nonetheless, at this juncture we are privileged to share our perspective on the DNA helicase field - where it has been, its current state, and where it is headed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M. Brosh
- Section on DNA Helicases, Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Correspondence: (R.M.B.J.); (S.W.M.); Tel.: +1-410-558-8578 (R.M.B.J.); +1-919-962-0005 (S.W.M.)
| | - Steven W. Matson
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: (R.M.B.J.); (S.W.M.); Tel.: +1-410-558-8578 (R.M.B.J.); +1-919-962-0005 (S.W.M.)
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31
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Gupta SV, Schmidt KH. Maintenance of Yeast Genome Integrity by RecQ Family DNA Helicases. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E205. [PMID: 32085395 PMCID: PMC7074392 DOI: 10.3390/genes11020205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
With roles in DNA repair, recombination, replication and transcription, members of the RecQ DNA helicase family maintain genome integrity from bacteria to mammals. Mutations in human RecQ helicases BLM, WRN and RecQL4 cause incurable disorders characterized by genome instability, increased cancer predisposition and premature adult-onset aging. Yeast cells lacking the RecQ helicase Sgs1 share many of the cellular defects of human cells lacking BLM, including hypersensitivity to DNA damaging agents and replication stress, shortened lifespan, genome instability and mitotic hyper-recombination, making them invaluable model systems for elucidating eukaryotic RecQ helicase function. Yeast and human RecQ helicases have common DNA substrates and domain structures and share similar physical interaction partners. Here, we review the major cellular functions of the yeast RecQ helicases Sgs1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rqh1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe and provide an outlook on some of the outstanding questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Vidushi Gupta
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of South, Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA;
| | - Kristina Hildegard Schmidt
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of South, Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA;
- Cancer Biology and Evolution Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research, Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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32
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Yeom G, Kim J, Park CJ. Investigation of the core binding regions of human Werner syndrome and Fanconi anemia group J helicases on replication protein A. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14016. [PMID: 31570747 PMCID: PMC6768877 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50502-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Werner syndrome protein (WRN) and Fanconi anemia group J protein (FANCJ) are human DNA helicases that contribute to genome maintenance. They interact with replication protein A (RPA), and these interactions dramatically enhance the unwinding activities of both helicases. Even though the interplay between these helicases and RPA is particularly important in the chemoresistance pathway of cancer cells, the precise binding regions, interfaces, and properties have not yet been characterized. Here we present systematic NMR analyses and fluorescence polarization anisotropy assays of both helicase-RPA interactions for defining core binding regions and binding affinities. Our results showed that two acidic repeats of human WRN bind to RPA70N and RPA70A. For FANCJ, the acidic-rich sequence in the C-terminal domain is the binding region for RPA70N. Our results suggest that each helicase interaction has unique features, although they both fit an acidic peptide into a basic cleft for RPA binding. Our findings shed light on the protein interactions involved in overcoming the DNA-damaging agents employed in the treatment of cancer and thus potentially provide insight into enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyuho Yeom
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinwoo Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Chin-Ju Park
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea.
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33
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Nickens DG, Sausen CW, Bochman ML. The Biochemical Activities of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 Helicase Are Regulated by Its N-Terminal Domain. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10060411. [PMID: 31142053 PMCID: PMC6628001 DOI: 10.3390/genes10060411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
: Pif1 family helicases represent a highly conserved class of enzymes involved in multiple aspects of genome maintenance. Many Pif1 helicases are multi-domain proteins, but the functions of their non-helicase domains are poorly understood. Here, we characterized how the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 helicase affects its functions both in vivo and in vitro. Removal of the Pif1 NTD alleviated the toxicity associated with Pif1 overexpression in yeast. Biochemically, the N-terminally truncated Pif1 (Pif1ΔN) retained in vitro DNA binding, DNA unwinding, and telomerase regulation activities, but these activities differed markedly from those displayed by full-length recombinant Pif1. However, Pif1ΔN was still able to synergize with the Hrq1 helicase to inhibit telomerase activity in vitro, similar to full-length Pif1. These data impact our understanding of Pif1 helicase evolution and the roles of these enzymes in the maintenance of genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Nickens
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
| | - Christopher W Sausen
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
| | - Matthew L Bochman
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
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34
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Lieb S, Blaha-Ostermann S, Kamper E, Rippka J, Schwarz C, Ehrenhöfer-Wölfer K, Schlattl A, Wernitznig A, Lipp JJ, Nagasaka K, van der Lelij P, Bader G, Koi M, Goel A, Neumüller RA, Peters JM, Kraut N, Pearson MA, Petronczki M, Wöhrle S. Werner syndrome helicase is a selective vulnerability of microsatellite instability-high tumor cells. eLife 2019; 8:43333. [PMID: 30910006 PMCID: PMC6435321 DOI: 10.7554/elife.43333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted cancer therapy is based on exploiting selective dependencies of tumor cells. By leveraging recent functional screening data of cancer cell lines we identify Werner syndrome helicase (WRN) as a novel specific vulnerability of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) cancer cells. MSI, caused by defective mismatch repair (MMR), occurs frequently in colorectal, endometrial and gastric cancers. We demonstrate that WRN inactivation selectively impairs the viability of MSI-H but not microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal and endometrial cancer cell lines. In MSI-H cells, WRN loss results in severe genome integrity defects. ATP-binding deficient variants of WRN fail to rescue the viability phenotype of WRN-depleted MSI-H cancer cells. Reconstitution and depletion studies indicate that WRN dependence is not attributable to acute loss of MMR gene function but might arise during sustained MMR-deficiency. Our study suggests that pharmacological inhibition of WRN helicase function represents an opportunity to develop a novel targeted therapy for MSI-H cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Lieb
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Janine Rippka
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | - Jesse J Lipp
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kota Nagasaka
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Gerd Bader
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Minoru Koi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - Ajay Goel
- Center for Gastrointestinal Research, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute and Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | | | | | - Norbert Kraut
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Simon Wöhrle
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
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35
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Studying Werner syndrome to elucidate mechanisms and therapeutics of human aging and age-related diseases. Biogerontology 2019; 20:255-269. [PMID: 30666569 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-019-09798-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a natural and unavoidable part of life. However, aging is also the primary driver of the dominant human diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Unraveling the sophisticated molecular mechanisms of the human aging process may provide novel strategies to extend 'healthy aging' and the cure of human aging-related diseases. Werner syndrome (WS), is a heritable human premature aging disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the Werner (WRN) DNA helicase. As a classical premature aging disease, etiological exploration of WS can shed light on the mechanisms of normal human aging and facilitate the development of interventional strategies to improve healthspan. Here, we summarize the latest progress of the molecular understandings of WRN protein, highlight the advantages of using different WS model systems, including Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) systems. Further studies on WS will propel drug development for WS patients, and possibly also for normal age-related diseases.
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36
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MDM2-mediated degradation of WRN promotes cellular senescence in a p53-independent manner. Oncogene 2018; 38:2501-2515. [PMID: 30532073 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0605-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
MDM2 (Murine double minute 2) acts as a key repressor for p53-mediated tumor-suppressor functions, which includes cellular senescence. We found that MDM2 can promote cellular senescence by modulating WRN stability. Werner syndrome (WS), caused by mutations of the WRN gene, is an autosomal recessive disease, which is characterized by premature aging. Loss of WRN function induces cellular senescence in human cancer cells. Here, we found that MDM2 acts as an E3 ligase for WRN protein. MDM2 interacts with WRN both in vivo and in vitro. MDM2 induces ubiquitination of WRN and dramatically downregulates the levels of WRN protein in human cells. During DNA damage response, WRN is translocated to the nucleoplasm to facilitate its DNA repair functions; however, it is degraded by the MDM2-mediated ubiquitination pathway. Moreover, the senescent phenotype induced by DNA damage reagents, such as Etoposide, is at least in part mediated by MDM2-dependent WRN degradation as it can be significantly attenuated by ectopic expression of WRN. These results show that MDM2 is critically involved in regulating WRN function via ubiquitin-dependent degradation and reveal an unexpected role of MDM2 in promoting cellular senescence through a p53-independent manner.
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37
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Wang S, Liu Z, Ye Y, Li B, Liu T, Zhang W, Liu GH, Zhang YA, Qu J, Xu D, Chen Z. Ectopic hTERT expression facilitates reprograming of fibroblasts derived from patients with Werner syndrome as a WS cellular model. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:923. [PMID: 30206203 PMCID: PMC6134116 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0948-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has provided a unique opportunity to develop disease-specific models and personalized treatment for genetic disorders, and is well suitable for the study of Werner syndrome (WS), an autosomal recessive disease with adult onset of premature aging caused by mutations in the RecQ like helicase (WRN) gene. WS-derived fibroblasts were previously shown to be able to generate iPSCs; however, it remains elusive how WS-derived iPSCs behave and whether they are able to mimic the disease-specific phenotype. The present study was designed to address these issues. Unexpectedly, we found that a specific WS fibroblast line of homozygous truncation mutation was difficult to be reprogrammed by using the Yamanaka factors even under hypoxic conditions due to their defect in induction of hTERT, the catalytic unit of telomerase. Ectopic expression of hTERT restores the ability of this WS fibroblast line to form iPSCs, although with a low efficiency. To examine the phenotype of WRN-deficient pluripotent stem cells, we also generated WRN knockout human embryonic stem (ES) cells by using the CRISPR/Cas9 method. The iPSCs derived from WS-hTERT cells and WRN-/- ESCs are fully pluripotent, express pluripotent markers and can differentiate into three germ layer cells; however, WS-iPSCs and WRN-/- ESCs show S phase defect in cell cycle progression. Moreover, WS-iPSCs and WRN-/- ESCs, like WS patient-derived fibroblasts, remain hypersensitive to topoisomerase inhibitors. Collectively, WS-derived iPSCs and WRN-/- ESCs mimic the intrinsic disease phenotype, which may serve as a suitable disease model, whereas not be good for a therapeutic purpose without gene correction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Wang
- Cell Therapy Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.,Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongfeng Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.,Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Yanxia Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bingnan Li
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Weiqi Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guang-Hui Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Y Alex Zhang
- Cell Therapy Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Dawei Xu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Zhiguo Chen
- Cell Therapy Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China. .,Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.
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38
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Bhattacharjee S, Nandi S. Rare Genetic Diseases with Defects in DNA Repair: Opportunities and Challenges in Orphan Drug Development for Targeted Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:E298. [PMID: 30200453 PMCID: PMC6162646 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10090298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of mechanistic insights into genes and enzymes implicated in rare diseases provide a unique opportunity for orphan drug development. Advances made in identification of synthetic lethal relationships between rare disorder genes with oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have brought in new anticancer therapeutic opportunities. Additionally, the rapid development of small molecule inhibitors against enzymes that participate in DNA damage response and repair has been a successful strategy for targeted cancer therapeutics. Here, we discuss the recent advances in our understanding of how many rare disease genes participate in promoting genome stability. We also summarize the latest developments in exploiting rare diseases to uncover new biological mechanisms and identify new synthetic lethal interactions for anticancer drug discovery that are in various stages of preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saikat Nandi
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, NY 11724, USA.
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39
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Maity J, Das B, Bohr VA, Karmakar P. Acidic domain of WRNp is critical for autophagy and up-regulates age associated proteins. DNA Repair (Amst) 2018; 68:1-11. [PMID: 29800817 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Impaired autophagy may be associated with normal and pathological aging. Here we explore a link between autophagy and domain function of Werner protein (WRNp). Werner (WRN) mutant cell lines AG11395, AG05229 and normal aged fibroblast AG13129 display a deficient response to tunicamycin mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced autophagy compared to clinically unaffected GM00637 and normal young fibroblast GM03440. Cellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress mediated autophagy in WS and normal aged cells is restored after transfection with wild type full length WRN, but deletion of the acidic domain from wild type WRN fails to restore autophagy. The acidic domain of WRNp was shown to regulate its transcriptional activity, and here, we show that it affects the transcription of certain proteins involved in autophagy and aging. Furthermore, siRNA mediated silencing of WRN in normal fibroblast WI-38 resulted in decrease of age related proteins Lamin A/C and Mre11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotirindra Maity
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Biswadip Das
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Vilhelm A Bohr
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Parimal Karmakar
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India.
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40
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RecQ and Fe-S helicases have unique roles in DNA metabolism dictated by their unwinding directionality, substrate specificity, and protein interactions. Biochem Soc Trans 2017; 46:77-95. [PMID: 29273621 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Helicases are molecular motors that play central roles in nucleic acid metabolism. Mutations in genes encoding DNA helicases of the RecQ and iron-sulfur (Fe-S) helicase families are linked to hereditary disorders characterized by chromosomal instabilities, highlighting the importance of these enzymes. Moreover, mono-allelic RecQ and Fe-S helicase mutations are associated with a broad spectrum of cancers. This review will discuss and contrast the specialized molecular functions and biological roles of RecQ and Fe-S helicases in DNA repair, the replication stress response, and the regulation of gene expression, laying a foundation for continued research in these important areas of study.
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41
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Poot M. Scratching the Surface of Werner Syndrome and Human Ageing. Mol Syndromol 2017; 9:1-4. [PMID: 29456476 PMCID: PMC5803710 DOI: 10.1159/000484424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Poot
- *Martin Poot, Department of Human Genetics, University of Würzburg, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, DE-97074 Würzburg (Germany), E-Mail
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42
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Lin YH, Jewell BE, Gingold J, Lu L, Zhao R, Wang LL, Lee DF. Osteosarcoma: Molecular Pathogenesis and iPSC Modeling. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:737-755. [PMID: 28735817 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Rare hereditary disorders provide unequivocal evidence of the importance of genes in human disease pathogenesis. Familial syndromes that predispose to osteosarcomagenesis are invaluable in understanding the underlying genetics of this malignancy. Recently, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been successfully utilized to model Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS)-associated bone malignancy, demonstrating that iPSCs can serve as an in vitro disease model to elucidate osteosarcoma etiology. We provide here an overview of osteosarcoma predisposition syndromes and review recently established iPSC disease models for these familial syndromes. Merging molecular information gathered from these models with the current knowledge of osteosarcoma biology will help us to gain a deeper understanding of the pathological mechanisms underlying osteosarcomagenesis and will potentially aid in the development of future patient therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Brittany E Jewell
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Julian Gingold
- Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Linchao Lu
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ruiying Zhao
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lisa L Wang
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dung-Fang Lee
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics and School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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43
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Wei XB, Zhang B, Bazeille N, Yu Y, Liu NN, René B, Mauffret O, Xi XG. A 3'-5' exonuclease activity embedded in the helicase core domain of Candida albicans Pif1 helicase. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42865. [PMID: 28216645 PMCID: PMC5316945 DOI: 10.1038/srep42865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
3′-5′ exonucleases are frequently found to be associated to polymerases or helicases domains in the same enzyme or could function as autonomous entities. Here we uncovered that Candida albicans Pif1 (CaPif1) displays a 3′-5′ exonuclease activity besides its main helicase activity. These two latter activities appear to reside on the same polypeptide and the new exonuclease activity could be mapped to the helicase core domain. We clearly show that CaPif1 displays exclusively exonuclease activity and unambiguously establish the directionality of the exonuclease activity as the 3′-to-5′ polarity. The enzyme appears to follow the two-metal-ion driven hydrolyzing activity exhibited by most of the nucleases, as shown by its dependence of magnesium and also by the identification of aspartic residues. Interestingly, an excellent correlation could be found between the presence of the conserved residues and the exonuclease activity when testing activities on Pif1 enzymes from eight fungal organisms. In contrast to others proteins endowed with the double helicase/exonuclease functionality, CaPif1 differs in the fact that the two activities are embedded in the same helicase domain and not located on separated domains. Our findings may suggest a biochemical basis for mechanistic studies of Pif1 family helicases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Bin Wei
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Nicolas Bazeille
- LBPA, ENS-Cachan, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 61 Avenue du Président Wilson, 94235 Cachan, France
| | - Ying Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Na-Nv Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Brigitte René
- LBPA, ENS-Cachan, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 61 Avenue du Président Wilson, 94235 Cachan, France
| | - Olivier Mauffret
- LBPA, ENS-Cachan, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 61 Avenue du Président Wilson, 94235 Cachan, France
| | - Xu-Guang Xi
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.,LBPA, ENS-Cachan, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 61 Avenue du Président Wilson, 94235 Cachan, France
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44
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Oshima J, Sidorova JM, Monnat RJ. Werner syndrome: Clinical features, pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions. Ageing Res Rev 2017; 33:105-114. [PMID: 26993153 PMCID: PMC5025328 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Werner syndrome (WS) is a prototypical segmental progeroid syndrome characterized by multiple features consistent with accelerated aging. It is caused by null mutations of the WRN gene, which encodes a member of the RECQ family of DNA helicases. A unique feature of the WRN helicase is the presence of an exonuclease domain in its N-terminal region. Biochemical and cell biological studies during the past decade have demonstrated involvements of the WRN protein in multiple DNA transactions, including DNA repair, recombination, replication and transcription. A role of the WRN protein in telomere maintenance could explain many of the WS phenotypes. Recent discoveries of new progeroid loci found in atypical Werner cases continue to support the concept of genomic instability as a major mechanism of biological aging. Based on these biological insights, efforts are underway to develop therapeutic interventions for WS and related progeroid syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Oshima
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Julia M Sidorova
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Raymond J Monnat
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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45
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Bloom's syndrome: Why not premature aging?: A comparison of the BLM and WRN helicases. Ageing Res Rev 2017; 33:36-51. [PMID: 27238185 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer and aging. Premature aging (progeroid) syndromes are often caused by mutations in genes whose function is to ensure genomic integrity. The RecQ family of DNA helicases is highly conserved and plays crucial roles as genome caretakers. In humans, mutations in three RecQ genes - BLM, WRN, and RECQL4 - give rise to Bloom's syndrome (BS), Werner syndrome (WS), and Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS), respectively. WS is a prototypic premature aging disorder; however, the clinical features present in BS and RTS do not indicate accelerated aging. The BLM helicase has pivotal functions at the crossroads of DNA replication, recombination, and repair. BS cells exhibit a characteristic form of genomic instability that includes excessive homologous recombination. The excessive homologous recombination drives the development in BS of the many types of cancers that affect persons in the normal population. Replication delay and slower cell turnover rates have been proposed to explain many features of BS, such as short stature. More recently, aberrant transcriptional regulation of growth and survival genes has been proposed as a hypothesis to explain features of BS.
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46
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Shamanna RA, Lu H, de Freitas JK, Tian J, Croteau DL, Bohr VA. WRN regulates pathway choice between classical and alternative non-homologous end joining. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13785. [PMID: 27922005 PMCID: PMC5150655 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Werner syndrome (WS) is an accelerated ageing disorder with genomic instability caused by WRN protein deficiency. Many features seen in WS can be explained by the diverse functions of WRN in DNA metabolism. However, the origin of the large genomic deletions and telomere fusions are not yet understood. Here, we report that WRN regulates the pathway choice between classical (c)- and alternative (alt)-nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) during DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. It promotes c-NHEJ via helicase and exonuclease activities and inhibits alt-NHEJ using non-enzymatic functions. When WRN is recruited to the DSBs it suppresses the recruitment of MRE11 and CtIP, and protects the DSBs from 5′ end resection. Moreover, knockdown of Wrn, alone or in combination with Trf2 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts results in increased telomere fusions, which were ablated by Ctip knockdown. We show that WRN regulates alt-NHEJ and shields DSBs from MRE11/CtIP-mediated resection to prevent large deletions and telomere fusions. Werner Syndrome is an accelerated aging disorder marked by genome instability, large deletions and telomere fusions, hallmarks of aberrant DNA repair. Here the authors report a role for the WRN helicase in regulating the choice between classical and alternative non-homologous end-joning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghavendra A Shamanna
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Boulevard, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Huiming Lu
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Boulevard, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Jessica K de Freitas
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Boulevard, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Jane Tian
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Boulevard, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Deborah L Croteau
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Boulevard, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Vilhelm A Bohr
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Boulevard, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
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47
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Su F, Bhattacharya S, Abdisalaam S, Mukherjee S, Yajima H, Yang Y, Mishra R, Srinivasan K, Ghose S, Chen DJ, Yannone SM, Asaithamby A. Replication stress induced site-specific phosphorylation targets WRN to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Oncotarget 2016; 7:46-65. [PMID: 26695548 PMCID: PMC4807982 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Faithful and complete genome replication in human cells is essential for preventing the accumulation of cancer-promoting mutations. WRN, the protein defective in Werner syndrome, plays critical roles in preventing replication stress, chromosome instability, and tumorigenesis. Herein, we report that ATR-mediated WRN phosphorylation is needed for DNA replication and repair upon replication stress. A serine residue, S1141, in WRN is phosphorylated in vivo by the ATR kinase in response to replication stress. ATR-mediated WRN S1141 phosphorylation leads to ubiquitination of WRN, facilitating the reversible interaction of WRN with perturbed replication forks and subsequent degradation of WRN. The dynamic interaction between WRN and DNA is required for the suppression of new origin firing and Rad51-dependent double-stranded DNA break repair. Significantly, ATR-mediated WRN phosphorylation is critical for the suppression of chromosome breakage during replication stress. These findings reveal a unique role for WRN as a modulator of DNA repair, replication, and recombination, and link ATR-WRN signaling to the maintenance of genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengtao Su
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Souparno Bhattacharya
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Salim Abdisalaam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Shibani Mukherjee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Hirohiko Yajima
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yanyong Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Ritu Mishra
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kalayarasan Srinivasan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Subroto Ghose
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - David J Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Steven M Yannone
- Life Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Aroumougame Asaithamby
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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48
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Yokote K, Chanprasert S, Lee L, Eirich K, Takemoto M, Watanabe A, Koizumi N, Lessel D, Mori T, Hisama FM, Ladd PD, Angle B, Baris H, Cefle K, Palanduz S, Ozturk S, Chateau A, Deguchi K, Easwar TKM, Federico A, Fox A, Grebe TA, Hay B, Nampoothiri S, Seiter K, Streeten E, Piña-Aguilar RE, Poke G, Poot M, Posmyk R, Martin GM, Kubisch C, Schindler D, Oshima J. WRN Mutation Update: Mutation Spectrum, Patient Registries, and Translational Prospects. Hum Mutat 2016; 38:7-15. [PMID: 27667302 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Werner syndrome (WS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a constellation of adult onset phenotypes consistent with an acceleration of intrinsic biological aging. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the WRN gene, which encodes a multifunctional nuclear protein with exonuclease and helicase activities. WRN protein is thought to be involved in optimization of various aspects of DNA metabolism, including DNA repair, recombination, replication, and transcription. In this update, we summarize a total of 83 different WRN mutations, including eight previously unpublished mutations identified by the International Registry of Werner Syndrome (Seattle, WA) and the Japanese Werner Consortium (Chiba, Japan), as well as 75 mutations already reported in the literature. The Seattle International Registry recruits patients from all over the world to investigate genetic causes of a wide variety of progeroid syndromes in order to contribute to the knowledge of basic mechanisms of human aging. Given the unusually high prevalence of WS patients and heterozygous carriers in Japan, the major goal of the Japanese Consortium is to develop effective therapies and to establish management guidelines for WS patients in Japan and elsewhere. This review will also discuss potential translational approaches to this disorder, including those currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koutaro Yokote
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sirisak Chanprasert
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Lin Lee
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Katharina Eirich
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Minoru Takemoto
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Aki Watanabe
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoko Koizumi
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Davor Lessel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Takayasu Mori
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Fuki M Hisama
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Paula D Ladd
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Brad Angle
- Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Advocate Children's Hospital, Park Ridge, Illinois
| | - Hagit Baris
- The Genetics Institute, Rambam Health Care Campus and Rappaport School of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Kivanc Cefle
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Turkey
| | - Sukru Palanduz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Turkey
| | - Sukru Ozturk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Turkey
| | - Antoinette Chateau
- Department of Dermatology, Greys Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Kentaro Deguchi
- Department of Neurology, Okayama City Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | | | - Antonio Federico
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Unit Clinical Neurology and Neurometabolic Diseases, Medical School, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Amy Fox
- Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Theresa A Grebe
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Beverly Hay
- Division of Genetics, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Sheela Nampoothiri
- Department of Pediatric Genetics, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Karen Seiter
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Hawthorne, New York
| | - Elizabeth Streeten
- Division of Genetics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Gemma Poke
- Genetic Health Service NZ, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Martin Poot
- University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Renata Posmyk
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Podlaskie Medical Center, Bialystok, Poland
- Department of Perinatology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - George M Martin
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Christian Kubisch
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Detlev Schindler
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Junko Oshima
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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49
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Agrelo R, Sutz MA, Setien F, Aldunate F, Esteller M, Da Costa V, Achenbach R. A novel Werner Syndrome mutation: pharmacological treatment by read-through of nonsense mutations and epigenetic therapies. Epigenetics 2015; 10:329-41. [PMID: 25830902 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1027853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Werner Syndrome (WS) is a rare inherited disease characterized by premature aging and increased propensity for cancer. Mutations in the WRN gene can be of several types, including nonsense mutations, leading to a truncated protein form. WRN is a RecQ family member with both helicase and exonuclease activities, and it participates in several cell metabolic pathways, including DNA replication, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Here, we reported a novel homozygous WS mutation (c.3767 C > G) in 2 Argentinian brothers, which resulted in a stop codon and a truncated protein (p.S1256X). We also observed increased WRN promoter methylation in the cells of patients and decreased messenger WRN RNA (WRN mRNA) expression. Finally, we showed that the read-through of nonsense mutation pharmacologic treatment with both aminoglycosides (AGs) and ataluren (PTC-124) in these cells restores full-length protein expression and WRN functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Agrelo
- a Epigenetics of Cancer and Aging Laboratory Institut Pasteur de Montevideo (IPMON) ; Montevideo , Uruguay
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The DNA structure and sequence preferences of WRN underlie its function in telomeric recombination events. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8331. [PMID: 26420422 PMCID: PMC4589872 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeric abnormalities caused by loss of function of the RecQ helicase WRN are linked to the multiple premature ageing phenotypes that characterize Werner syndrome. Here we examine WRN's role in telomeric maintenance, by comparing its action on a variety of DNA structures without or with telomeric sequences. Our results show that WRN clearly prefers to act on strand invasion intermediates in a manner that favours strand invasion and exchange. Moreover, WRN unwinding of these recombination structures is further enhanced when the invading strand contains at least three G-rich single-stranded telomeric repeats. These selectivities are most pronounced at NaCl concentrations within the reported intranuclear monovalent cation concentration range, and are partly conferred by WRN's C-terminal region. Importantly, WRN's specificity for the G-rich telomeric sequence within this precise structural context is particularly relevant to telomere metabolism and strongly suggests a physiological role in telomeric recombination processes, including T-loop dynamics.
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