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Leal AF, Herreno-Pachón AM, Benincore-Flórez E, Karunathilaka A, Tomatsu S. Current Strategies for Increasing Knock-In Efficiency in CRISPR/Cas9-Based Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2456. [PMID: 38473704 PMCID: PMC10931195 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052456] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery in 2012, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has supposed a promising panorama for developing novel and highly precise genome editing-based gene therapy (GT) alternatives, leading to overcoming the challenges associated with classical GT. Classical GT aims to deliver transgenes to the cells via their random integration in the genome or episomal persistence into the nucleus through lentivirus (LV) or adeno-associated virus (AAV), respectively. Although high transgene expression efficiency is achieved by using either LV or AAV, their nature can result in severe side effects in humans. For instance, an LV (NCT03852498)- and AAV9 (NCT05514249)-based GT clinical trials for treating X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy showed the development of myelodysplastic syndrome and patient's death, respectively. In contrast with classical GT, the CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing requires the homologous direct repair (HDR) machinery of the cells for inserting the transgene in specific regions of the genome. This sophisticated and well-regulated process is limited in the cell cycle of mammalian cells, and in turn, the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) predominates. Consequently, seeking approaches to increase HDR efficiency over NHEJ is crucial. This manuscript comprehensively reviews the current alternatives for improving the HDR for CRISPR/Cas9-based GTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Felipe Leal
- Nemours Children’s Health, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA; (A.F.L.); (A.M.H.-P.); (E.B.-F.); (A.K.)
- Institute for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Faculty of Science, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Angelica María Herreno-Pachón
- Nemours Children’s Health, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA; (A.F.L.); (A.M.H.-P.); (E.B.-F.); (A.K.)
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Eliana Benincore-Flórez
- Nemours Children’s Health, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA; (A.F.L.); (A.M.H.-P.); (E.B.-F.); (A.K.)
| | - Amali Karunathilaka
- Nemours Children’s Health, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA; (A.F.L.); (A.M.H.-P.); (E.B.-F.); (A.K.)
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Shunji Tomatsu
- Nemours Children’s Health, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA; (A.F.L.); (A.M.H.-P.); (E.B.-F.); (A.K.)
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA
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2
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Vogt A, He Y. Structure and mechanism in non-homologous end joining. DNA Repair (Amst) 2023; 130:103547. [PMID: 37556875 PMCID: PMC10528545 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2023.103547] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) are a particularly challenging form of DNA damage to repair because the damaged DNA must not only undergo the chemical reactions responsible for returning it to its original state, but, additionally, the two free ends can become physically separated in the nucleus and must be bridged prior to repair. In nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), one of the major pathways of DSB repair, repair is carried out by a number of repair factors capable of binding to and directly joining DNA ends. It has been unclear how these processes are carried out at a molecular level, owing in part to the lack of structural evidence describing the coordination of the NHEJ factors with each other and a DNA substrate. Advances in cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM), allowing for the structural characterization of large protein complexes that would be intractable using other techniques, have led to the visualization several key steps of the NHEJ process, which support a model of sequential assembly of repair factors at the DSB, followed by end-bridging mediated by protein-protein complexes and transition to full synapsis. Here we examine the structural evidence for these models, devoting particular attention to recent work identifying a new NHEJ intermediate state and incorporating new NHEJ factors into the general mechanism. We also discuss the evolving understanding of end-bridging mechanisms in NHEJ and DNA-PKcs's role in mediating DSB repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Vogt
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA
| | - Yuan He
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA.
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3
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Pallaseni A, Peets EM, Girling G, Crepaldi L, Kuzmin I, Raudvere U, Peterson H, Serçin Ö, Mardin BR, Kosicki M, Parts L. The interplay of DNA repair context with target sequence predictably biasses Cas9-generated mutations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546891. [PMID: 37425722 PMCID: PMC10326969 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The genome engineering capability of the CRISPR/Cas system depends on the DNA repair machinery to generate the final outcome. Several genes can have an impact on mutations created, but their exact function and contribution to the result of the repair are not completely characterised. This lack of knowledge has limited the ability to comprehend and regulate the editing outcomes. Here, we measure how the absence of 21 repair genes changes the mutation outcomes of Cas9-generated cuts at 2,812 synthetic target sequences in mouse embryonic stem cells. Absence of key non-homologous end joining genes Lig4, Xrcc4, and Xlf abolished small insertions and deletions, while disabling key microhomology-mediated repair genes Nbn and Polq reduced frequency of longer deletions. Complex alleles of combined insertion and deletions were preferentially generated in the absence of Xrcc6. We further discover finer structure in the outcome frequency changes for single nucleotide insertions and deletions between large microhomologies that are differentially modulated by the knockouts. We use the knowledge of the reproducible variation across repair milieus to build predictive models of Cas9 editing results that outperform the current standards. This work improves our understanding of DNA repair gene function, and provides avenues for more precise modulation of CRISPR/Cas9-generated mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananth Pallaseni
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Elin Madli Peets
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Girling
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Crepaldi
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan Kuzmin
- Department of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Uku Raudvere
- Department of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Hedi Peterson
- Department of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Özdemirhan Serçin
- BioMed X Institute (GmbH), Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Balca R. Mardin
- BioMed X Institute (GmbH), Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Kosicki
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Leopold Parts
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Department of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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4
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Chen B, Ge T, Jian M, Chen L, Fang Z, He Z, Huang C, An Y, Yin S, Xiong Y, Zhang J, Li R, Ye M, Li Y, Liu F, Ma W, Songyang Z. Transmembrane nuclease NUMEN/ENDOD1 regulates DNA repair pathway choice at the nuclear periphery. Nat Cell Biol 2023:10.1038/s41556-023-01165-1. [PMID: 37322289 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01165-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Proper repair of DNA damage lesions is essential to maintaining genome integrity and preventing the development of human diseases, including cancer. Increasing evidence suggests the importance of the nuclear envelope in the spatial regulation of DNA repair, although the mechanisms of such regulatory processes remain poorly defined. Through a genome-wide synthetic viability screen for PARP-inhibitor resistance using an inducible CRISPR-Cas9 platform and BRCA1-deficient breast cancer cells, we identified a transmembrane nuclease (renamed NUMEN) that could facilitate compartmentalized and non-homologous end joining-dependent repair of double-stranded DNA breaks at the nuclear periphery. Collectively, our data demonstrate that NUMEN generates short 5' overhangs through its endonuclease and 3'→5' exonuclease activities, promotes the repair of DNA lesions-including heterochromatic lamina-associated domain breaks as well as deprotected telomeres-and functions as a downstream effector of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit. These findings underline the role of NUMEN as a key player in DNA repair pathway choice and genome-stability maintenance, and have implications for ongoing research into the development and treatment of genome instability disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohong Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianyu Ge
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meiqi Jian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liutao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengwen Fang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zibin He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengjing Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan An
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Yin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xiong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - JingKai Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruofei Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miaoman Ye
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yubing Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenbing Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhou Songyang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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5
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Russell ML, Simon N, Bradley P, Matsen FA. Statistical inference reveals the role of length, GC content, and local sequence in V(D)J nucleotide trimming. eLife 2023; 12:e85145. [PMID: 37227256 PMCID: PMC10212571 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85145] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
To appropriately defend against a wide array of pathogens, humans somatically generate highly diverse repertoires of B cell and T cell receptors (BCRs and TCRs) through a random process called V(D)J recombination. Receptor diversity is achieved during this process through both the combinatorial assembly of V(D)J-genes and the junctional deletion and insertion of nucleotides. While the Artemis protein is often regarded as the main nuclease involved in V(D)J recombination, the exact mechanism of nucleotide trimming is not understood. Using a previously published TCRβ repertoire sequencing data set, we have designed a flexible probabilistic model of nucleotide trimming that allows us to explore various mechanistically interpretable sequence-level features. We show that local sequence context, length, and GC nucleotide content in both directions of the wider sequence, together, can most accurately predict the trimming probabilities of a given V-gene sequence. Because GC nucleotide content is predictive of sequence-breathing, this model provides quantitative statistical evidence regarding the extent to which double-stranded DNA may need to be able to breathe for trimming to occur. We also see evidence of a sequence motif that appears to get preferentially trimmed, independent of GC-content-related effects. Further, we find that the inferred coefficients from this model provide accurate prediction for V- and J-gene sequences from other adaptive immune receptor loci. These results refine our understanding of how the Artemis nuclease may function to trim nucleotides during V(D)J recombination and provide another step toward understanding how V(D)J recombination generates diverse receptors and supports a powerful, unique immune response in healthy humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena L Russell
- Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer CenterSeattleUnited States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Noah Simon
- Department of Biostatistics, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Philip Bradley
- Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer CenterSeattleUnited States
- Institute for Protein Design, Department of Biochemistry, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Frederick A Matsen
- Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer CenterSeattleUnited States
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Department of Statistics, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteSeattleUnited States
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6
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Watanabe G, Lieber MR. The flexible and iterative steps within the NHEJ pathway. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 180-181:105-119. [PMID: 37150451 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Cellular and biochemical studies of nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) have long established that nuclease and polymerase action are necessary for the repair of a very large fraction of naturally-arising double-strand breaks (DSBs). This conclusion is derived from NHEJ studies ranging from yeast to humans and all genetically-tractable model organisms. Biochemical models derived from recent real-time and structural studies have yet to incorporate physical space or timing for DNA end processing. In real-time single molecule FRET (smFRET) studies, our lab analyzed NHEJ synapsis of DNA ends in a defined biochemical system. We described a Flexible Synapsis (FS) state in which the DNA ends were in proximity via only Ku and XRCC4:DNA ligase 4 (X4L4), and in an orientation that would not yet permit ligation until base pairing between one or more nucleotides of microhomology (MH) occurred, thereby allowing an in-line Close Synapsis (CS) state. If no MH was achievable, then XLF was critical for ligation. Neither FS or CS required DNA-PKcs, unless Artemis activation was necessary to permit local resection and subsequent base pairing between the two DNA ends being joined. Here we conjecture on possible 3D configurations for this FS state, which would spatially accommodate the nuclease and polymerase processing steps in an iterative manner. The FS model permits repeated attempts at ligation of at least one strand at the DSB after each round of nuclease or polymerase action. In addition to activation of Artemis, other possible roles for DNA-PKcs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Go Watanabe
- Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry, Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, and Section of Molecular & Computational Biology (Department of Biological Sciences), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9176, USA
| | - Michael R Lieber
- Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry, Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, and Section of Molecular & Computational Biology (Department of Biological Sciences), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9176, USA.
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7
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Zhang Q, Yang L, Gao H, Kuang X, Xiao H, Yang C, Cheng Y, Zhang L, Guo X, Zhong Y, Li M. APE1 promotes non-homologous end joining by initiating DNA double-strand break formation and decreasing ubiquitination of artemis following oxidative genotoxic stress. J Transl Med 2023; 21:183. [PMID: 36894994 PMCID: PMC9997026 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04022-9] [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: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) imparts radio-resistance by repairing isolated lesions via the base excision repair (BER) pathway, but whether and how it is involved in the formation and/or repair of DSBs remains mostly unknown. METHODS Immunoblotting, fluorescent immunostaining, and the Comet assay were used to investigate the effect of APE1 on temporal DSB formation. Chromatin extraction, 53BP1 foci and co-immunoprecipitation, and rescue assays were used to evaluate non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair and APE1 effects. Colony formation, micronuclei measurements, flow cytometry, and xenograft models were used to examine the effect of APE1 expression on survival and synergistic lethality. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect APE1 and Artemis expression in cervical tumor tissues. RESULTS APE1 is upregulated in cervical tumor tissue compared to paired peri-tumor, and elevated APE1 expression is associated with radio-resistance. APE1 mediates resistance to oxidative genotoxic stress by activating NHEJ repair. APE1, via its endonuclease activity, initiates clustered lesion conversion to DSBs (within 1 h), promoting the activation of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), a key kinase in the DNA damage response (DDR) and NHEJ pathway. APE1 then participates in NHEJ repair directly by interacting with DNA- PKcs. Additionally, APE1 promotes NHEJ activity by decreasing the ubiquitination and degradation of Artemis, a nuclease with a critical role in the NHEJ pathway. Overall, APE1 deficiency leads to DSB accumulation at a late phase following oxidative stress (after 24 h), which also triggers activation of Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), another key kinase of the DDR. Inhibition of ATM activity significantly promotes synergistic lethality with oxidative stress in APE1-deficient cells and tumors. CONCLUSION APE1 promotes NHEJ repair by temporally regulating DBS formation and repair following oxidative stress. This knowledge provides new insights into the design of combinatorial therapies and indicates the timing of administration and maintenance of DDR inhibitors for overcoming radio-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Zhang
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Lujie Yang
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Han Gao
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Xunjie Kuang
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - He Xiao
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Yi Cheng
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Xin Guo
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Yong Zhong
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China
| | - Mengxia Li
- Cancer Center of Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400000, China.
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8
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Anne-Esguerra Z, Wu M, Watanabe G, Flint AJ, Lieber MR. Partial deletions of the autoregulatory C-terminal domain of Artemis and their effect on its nuclease activity. DNA Repair (Amst) 2022; 120:103422. [PMID: 36332285 PMCID: PMC9691611 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2022.103422] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Artemis is a 692 aa nuclease that is essential for opening hairpins during vertebrate V(D)J recombination. Artemis is also important in the DNA repair of double-strand breaks via the nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) pathway. Therefore, absence of Artemis has been shown to result not only in the blockage of lymphocyte development in vertebrates, but also sensitivity of organisms and cells to double-strand break-inducing events that arise in the course of normal metabolism. Nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) is the major pathway for the repair of double-strand DNA breaks in most vertebrate cells during most of the cell cycle, including in resting cells. Artemis is the primary nuclease for resection of damaged DNA at double-strand breaks. Artemis alone is inactive as an endonuclease, though it has 5'-exonuclease activity. The endonuclease activity requires physical interaction with DNA-PKcs and subsequent activation steps. Truncation of the C-terminal half of Artemis permits Artemis to be active, even without DNA-PKcs. Here we create a systematic set of deletions from the Artemis C-terminus to determine the minimal extent of C-terminal deletion for Artemis to function in a DNA-PKcs-independent manner. We discuss these data in the context of recent structural studies. The results will be useful in future studies to determine the full range of functions of the C-terminal region of Artemis in the regulation of its endonuclease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Anne-Esguerra
- Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, and the Section of Molecular & Computational Biology in the Department of Biological Sciences, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Mousheng Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Drug Discovery Division, Southern Research Institute Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Go Watanabe
- Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, and the Section of Molecular & Computational Biology in the Department of Biological Sciences, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | | | - Michael R Lieber
- Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, and the Section of Molecular & Computational Biology in the Department of Biological Sciences, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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9
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Ali A, Xiao W, Babar ME, Bi Y. Double-Stranded Break Repair in Mammalian Cells and Precise Genome Editing. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050737. [PMID: 35627122 PMCID: PMC9142082 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammalian cells, double-strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired predominantly by error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), but less prevalently by error-free template-dependent homologous recombination (HR). DSB repair pathway selection is the bedrock for genome editing. NHEJ results in random mutations when repairing DSB, while HR induces high-fidelity sequence-specific variations, but with an undesirable low efficiency. In this review, we first discuss the latest insights into the action mode of NHEJ and HR in a panoramic view. We then propose the future direction of genome editing by virtue of these advancements. We suggest that by switching NHEJ to HR, full fidelity genome editing and robust gene knock-in could be enabled. We also envision that RNA molecules could be repurposed by RNA-templated DSB repair to mediate precise genetic editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhtar Ali
- Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo and Molecular Breeding of Hubei Province, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (A.A.); (W.X.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Wei Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo and Molecular Breeding of Hubei Province, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (A.A.); (W.X.)
| | - Masroor Ellahi Babar
- The University of Agriculture Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Ismail Khan 29220, Pakistan;
| | - Yanzhen Bi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo and Molecular Breeding of Hubei Province, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (A.A.); (W.X.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-151-0714-8708
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10
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Frock RL, Sadeghi C, Meng J, Wang JL. DNA End Joining: G0-ing to the Core. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11101487. [PMID: 34680120 PMCID: PMC8533500 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans have evolved a series of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways to efficiently and accurately rejoin nascently formed pairs of double-stranded DNA ends (DSEs). In G0/G1-phase cells, non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and alternative end joining (A-EJ) operate to support covalent rejoining of DSEs. While NHEJ is predominantly utilized and collaborates extensively with the DNA damage response (DDR) to support pairing of DSEs, much less is known about A-EJ collaboration with DDR factors when NHEJ is absent. Non-cycling lymphocyte progenitor cells use NHEJ to complete V(D)J recombination of antigen receptor genes, initiated by the RAG1/2 endonuclease which holds its pair of targeted DSBs in a synapse until each specified pair of DSEs is handed off to the NHEJ DSB sensor complex, Ku. Similar to designer endonuclease DSBs, the absence of Ku allows for A-EJ to access RAG1/2 DSEs but with random pairing to complete their repair. Here, we describe recent insights into the major phases of DSB end joining, with an emphasis on synapsis and tethering mechanisms, and bring together new and old concepts of NHEJ vs. A-EJ and on RAG2-mediated repair pathway choice.
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11
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Keuper K, Wieland A, Räschle M, Storchova Z. Processes shaping cancer genomes - From mitotic defects to chromosomal rearrangements. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 107:103207. [PMID: 34425515 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sequencing of cancer genomes revealed a rich landscape of somatic single nucleotide variants, structural changes of chromosomes, as well as chromosomal copy number alterations. These chromosome changes are highly variable, and simple translocations, deletions or duplications have been identified, as well as complex events that likely arise through activity of several interconnected processes. Comparison of the cancer genome sequencing data with our knowledge about processes important for maintenance of genome stability, namely DNA replication, repair and chromosome segregation, provides insights into the mechanisms that may give rise to complex chromosomal patterns, such as chromothripsis, a complex form of multiple focal chromosome rearrangements. In addition, observations gained from model systems that recapitulate the rearrangements patterns under defined experimental conditions suggest that mitotic errors and defective DNA replication and repair contribute to their formation. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms that contribute to formation of chromosomal aberrations observed in cancer genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Keuper
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse 24, University of Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Angela Wieland
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse 24, University of Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Markus Räschle
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse 24, University of Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Zuzana Storchova
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse 24, University of Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
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12
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St Germain C, Zhao H, Barlow JH. Transcription-Replication Collisions-A Series of Unfortunate Events. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1249. [PMID: 34439915 PMCID: PMC8391903 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription-replication interactions occur when DNA replication encounters genomic regions undergoing transcription. Both replication and transcription are essential for life and use the same DNA template making conflicts unavoidable. R-loops, DNA supercoiling, DNA secondary structure, and chromatin-binding proteins are all potential obstacles for processive replication or transcription and pose an even more potent threat to genome integrity when these processes co-occur. It is critical to maintaining high fidelity and processivity of transcription and replication while navigating through a complex chromatin environment, highlighting the importance of defining cellular pathways regulating transcription-replication interaction formation, evasion, and resolution. Here we discuss how transcription influences replication fork stability, and the safeguards that have evolved to navigate transcription-replication interactions and maintain genome integrity in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Commodore St Germain
- School of Mathematics and Science, Solano Community College, 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, CA 94534, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Hongchang Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Jacqueline H. Barlow
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
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13
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Nonhomologous DNA end joining of nucleosomal substrates in a purified system. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 106:103193. [PMID: 34339948 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The nonhomologous DNA end joining pathway is required for repair of most double-strand breaks in the mammalian genome. Here we use a purified biochemical NHEJ system to compare the joining of free DNA with recombinant mononucleosomal and dinucleosomal substrates to investigate ligation and local DNA end resection. We find that the nucleosomal state permits ligation in a manner dependent on the presence of free DNA flanking the nucleosome core particle. Local resection at DNA ends by the Artemis:DNA-PKcs nuclease complex is completely suppressed in all mononucleosome substrates regardless of flanking DNA up to a length of 14 bp. Like mononucleosomes, dinucleosomes lacking flanking free DNA are not joined. Therefore, the nucleosomal state imposes severe constraints on NHEJ nuclease and ligase activities.
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14
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Zhu C, Wang X, Li P, Zhu Y, Sun Y, Hu J, Liu H, Sun X. Developing a Peptide That Inhibits DNA Repair by Blocking the Binding of Artemis and DNA Ligase IV to Enhance Tumor Radiosensitivity. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 111:515-527. [PMID: 34044093 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.05.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Artemis and DNA Ligase IV are 2 critical elements in the nonhomologous end joining pathway of DNA repair, acting as the nuclease and DNA ligase, respectively. Enhanced cellular radiosensitivity by inhibition of either protein contributes to a promising approach to develop molecular targeted radiosensitizers. The interaction between Artemis and DNA Ligase IV is required for the activation of Artemis as nuclease at 3'overhang DNA; thus, we aim to generate an inhibitory peptide targeting the interaction between Artemis and DNA Ligase IV for novel radiosensitizer development. METHODS AND MATERIALS We synthesized the peptide BAL, which consists of the interaction residues of Artemis to DNA Ligase IV. The radiosensitization effect of BAL was evaluated by colony formation assay. The effects of BAL on radiation-induced DNA repair were evaluated with Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The effects of BAL on cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and cell apoptosis were assessed via CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays. The potential synergistic effects of BAL and irradiation in vivo were investigated in a xenograft mouse model. RESULTS The generated peptide BAL blocking the interaction between Artemis and DNA Ligase IV significantly enhanced the radiosensitivity of GBC-SD and HeLa cell lines. BAL prolonged DNA repair after irradiation; BAL and irradiation showed synergistic effects on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis, and these functions are all DNA Ligase IV-related. Finally, we confirmed the endogenous radiosensitization effect of BAL in a xenograft mouse model. CONCLUSIONS The inhibitory peptide BAL targeting the binding of Artemis and DNA Ligase IV successfully functions as a novel radiosensitizer that delays DNA repair and synergizes with irradiation to inhibit cell proliferation, induce cell cycle arrest, and promote cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Xuanxuan Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China; Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Yanhong Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Yikan Sun
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jiamiao Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Hai Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.
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15
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Chen S, Lee L, Naila T, Fishbain S, Wang A, Tomkinson AE, Lees-Miller SP, He Y. Structural basis of long-range to short-range synaptic transition in NHEJ. Nature 2021; 593:294-298. [PMID: 33854234 PMCID: PMC8122075 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03458-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are a highly cytotoxic form of DNA damage and the incorrect repair of DSBs is linked to carcinogenesis1,2. The conserved error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway has a key role in determining the effects of DSB-inducing agents that are used to treat cancer as well as the generation of the diversity in antibodies and T cell receptors2,3. Here we applied single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to visualize two key DNA-protein complexes that are formed by human NHEJ factors. The Ku70/80 heterodimer (Ku), the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs), DNA ligase IV (LigIV), XRCC4 and XLF form a long-range synaptic complex, in which the DNA ends are held approximately 115 Å apart. Two DNA end-bound subcomplexes comprising Ku and DNA-PKcs are linked by interactions between the DNA-PKcs subunits and a scaffold comprising LigIV, XRCC4, XLF, XRCC4 and LigIV. The relative orientation of the DNA-PKcs molecules suggests a mechanism for autophosphorylation in trans, which leads to the dissociation of DNA-PKcs and the transition into the short-range synaptic complex. Within this complex, the Ku-bound DNA ends are aligned for processing and ligation by the XLF-anchored scaffold, and a single catalytic domain of LigIV is stably associated with a nick between the two Ku molecules, which suggests that the joining of both strands of a DSB involves both LigIV molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Chen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Linda Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Robson DNA Science Centre, Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tasmin Naila
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Susan Fishbain
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Annie Wang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Alan E Tomkinson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Susan P Lees-Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Robson DNA Science Centre, Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yuan He
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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16
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Meek K. Activation of DNA-PK by hairpinned DNA ends reveals a stepwise mechanism of kinase activation. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:9098-9108. [PMID: 32716029 PMCID: PMC7498359 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As its name implies, the DNA dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) requires DNA double-stranded ends for enzymatic activation. Here, I demonstrate that hairpinned DNA ends are ineffective for activating the kinase toward many of its well-studied substrates (p53, XRCC4, XLF, HSP90). However, hairpinned DNA ends robustly stimulate certain DNA-PK autophosphorylations. Specifically, autophosphorylation sites within the ABCDE cluster are robustly phosphorylated when DNA-PK is activated by hairpinned DNA ends. Of note, phosphorylation of the ABCDE sites is requisite for activation of the Artemis nuclease that associates with DNA-PK to mediate hairpin opening. This finding suggests a multi-step mechanism of kinase activation. Finally, I find that all non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) defective cells (whether deficient in components of the DNA-PK complex or components of the ligase complex) are similarly deficient in joining DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) with hairpinned termini.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katheryn Meek
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, and Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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17
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The molecular basis and disease relevance of non-homologous DNA end joining. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:765-781. [PMID: 33077885 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-00297-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) is the predominant repair mechanism of any type of DNA double-strand break (DSB) during most of the cell cycle and is essential for the development of antigen receptors. Defects in NHEJ result in sensitivity to ionizing radiation and loss of lymphocytes. The most critical step of NHEJ is synapsis, or the juxtaposition of the two DNA ends of a DSB, because all subsequent steps rely on it. Recent findings show that, like the end processing step, synapsis can be achieved through several mechanisms. In this Review, we first discuss repair pathway choice between NHEJ and other DSB repair pathways. We then integrate recent insights into the mechanisms of NHEJ synapsis with updates on other steps of NHEJ, such as DNA end processing and ligation. Finally, we discuss NHEJ-related human diseases, including inherited disorders and neoplasia, which arise from rare failures at different NHEJ steps.
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18
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Karim MF, Liu S, Laciak AR, Volk L, Koszelak-Rosenblum M, Lieber MR, Wu M, Curtis R, Huang NN, Carr G, Zhu G. Structural analysis of the catalytic domain of Artemis endonuclease/SNM1C reveals distinct structural features. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:12368-12377. [PMID: 32576658 PMCID: PMC7458816 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The endonuclease Artemis is responsible for opening DNA hairpins during V(D)J recombination and for processing a subset of pathological DNA double-strand breaks. Artemis is an attractive target for the development of therapeutics to manage various B cell and T cell tumors, because failure to open DNA hairpins and accumulation of chromosomal breaks may reduce the proliferation and viability of pre-T and pre-B cell derivatives. However, structure-based drug discovery of specific Artemis inhibitors has been hampered by a lack of crystal structures. Here, we report the structure of the catalytic domain of recombinant human Artemis. The catalytic domain displayed a polypeptide fold similar overall to those of other members in the DNA cross-link repair gene SNM1 family and in mRNA 3'-end-processing endonuclease CPSF-73, containing metallo-β-lactamase and β-CASP domains and a cluster of conserved histidine and aspartate residues capable of binding two metal atoms in the catalytic site. As in SNM1A, only one zinc ion was located in the Artemis active site. However, Artemis displayed several unique features. Unlike in other members of this enzyme class, a second zinc ion was present in the β-CASP domain that leads to structural reorientation of the putative DNA-binding surface and extends the substrate-binding pocket to a new pocket, pocket III. Moreover, the substrate-binding surface exhibited a dominant and extensive positive charge distribution compared with that in the structures of SNM1A and SNM1B, presumably because of the structurally distinct DNA substrate of Artemis. The structural features identified here may provide opportunities for designing selective Artemis inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Fazlul Karim
- Discovery Biology, Albany Molecular Research Inc., Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Discovery Biology, Albany Molecular Research Inc., Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Adrian R Laciak
- Discovery Biology, Albany Molecular Research Inc., Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Leah Volk
- Discovery Biology, Albany Molecular Research Inc., Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - Michael R Lieber
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, and the Molecular and Computational Biology Section of the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mousheng Wu
- Chemistry Department, Drug Discovery Division, Southern Research, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Rory Curtis
- Discovery Biology, Albany Molecular Research Inc., Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Nian N Huang
- Discovery Biology, Albany Molecular Research Inc., Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Grant Carr
- Discovery Biology, Albany Molecular Research Inc., Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Guangyu Zhu
- Discovery Biology, Albany Molecular Research Inc., Buffalo, New York, USA
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19
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Ubiquitylation-Mediated Fine-Tuning of DNA Double-Strand Break Repair. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061617. [PMID: 32570875 PMCID: PMC7352447 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper function of DNA repair is indispensable for eukaryotic cells since accumulation of DNA damages leads to genome instability and is a major cause of oncogenesis. Ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation play a pivotal role in the precise regulation of DNA repair pathways by coordinating the recruitment and removal of repair proteins at the damaged site. Here, we summarize the most important post-translational modifications (PTMs) involved in DNA double-strand break repair. Although we highlight the most relevant PTMs, we focus principally on ubiquitylation-related processes since these are the most robust regulatory pathways among those of DNA repair.
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20
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Serrano-Benítez A, Cortés-Ledesma F, Ruiz JF. "An End to a Means": How DNA-End Structure Shapes the Double-Strand Break Repair Process. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 6:153. [PMID: 31998749 PMCID: PMC6965357 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenously-arising DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) rarely harbor canonical 5′-phosphate, 3′-hydroxyl moieties at the ends, which are, regardless of the pathway used, ultimately required for their repair. Cells are therefore endowed with a wide variety of enzymes that can deal with these chemical and structural variations and guarantee the formation of ligatable termini. An important distinction is whether the ends are directly “unblocked” by specific enzymatic activities without affecting the integrity of the DNA molecule and its sequence, or whether they are “processed” by unspecific nucleases that remove nucleotides from the termini. DNA end structure and configuration, therefore, shape the repair process, its requirements, and, importantly, its final outcome. Thus, the molecular mechanisms that coordinate and integrate the cellular response to blocked DSBs, although still largely unexplored, can be particularly relevant for maintaining genome integrity and avoiding malignant transformation and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almudena Serrano-Benítez
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER-CSIC-University of Seville-Pablo de Olavide University), Seville, Spain
| | - Felipe Cortés-Ledesma
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER-CSIC-University of Seville-Pablo de Olavide University), Seville, Spain.,Topology and DNA breaks Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose F Ruiz
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER-CSIC-University of Seville-Pablo de Olavide University), Seville, Spain.,Department of Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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21
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Stinson BM, Moreno AT, Walter JC, Loparo JJ. A Mechanism to Minimize Errors during Non-homologous End Joining. Mol Cell 2019; 77:1080-1091.e8. [PMID: 31862156 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Enzymatic processing of DNA underlies all DNA repair, yet inappropriate DNA processing must be avoided. In vertebrates, double-strand breaks are repaired predominantly by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), which directly ligates DNA ends. NHEJ has the potential to be highly mutagenic because it uses DNA polymerases, nucleases, and other enzymes that modify incompatible DNA ends to allow their ligation. Using frog egg extracts that recapitulate NHEJ, we show that end processing requires the formation of a "short-range synaptic complex" in which DNA ends are closely aligned in a ligation-competent state. Furthermore, single-molecule imaging directly demonstrates that processing occurs within the short-range complex. This confinement of end processing to a ligation-competent complex ensures that DNA ends undergo ligation as soon as they become compatible, thereby minimizing mutagenesis. Our results illustrate how the coordination of enzymatic catalysis with higher-order structural organization of substrate maximizes the fidelity of DNA repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M Stinson
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrew T Moreno
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Johannes C Walter
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Joseph J Loparo
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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22
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Advances in genome editing through control of DNA repair pathways. Nat Cell Biol 2019; 21:1468-1478. [PMID: 31792376 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-019-0425-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells deploy overlapping repair pathways to resolve DNA damage. Advancements in genome editing take advantage of these pathways to produce permanent genetic changes. Despite recent improvements, genome editing can produce diverse outcomes that can introduce risks in clinical applications. Although homology-directed repair is attractive for its ability to encode precise edits, it is particularly difficult in human cells. Here we discuss the DNA repair pathways that underlie genome editing and strategies to favour various outcomes.
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23
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G-quadruplex Structures Contribute to Differential Radiosensitivity of the Human Genome. iScience 2019; 21:288-307. [PMID: 31678912 PMCID: PMC6838516 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA, the fundamental unit of human cell, generally exists in Watson-Crick base-paired B-DNA form. Often, DNA folds into non-B forms, such as four-stranded G-quadruplexes. It is generally believed that ionizing radiation (IR) induces DNA strand-breaks in a random manner. Here, we show that regions of DNA enriched in G-quadruplex structures are less sensitive to IR compared with B-DNA in vitro and inside cells. Planar G-quartet of G4-DNA is shielded from IR-induced free radicals, unlike single- and double-stranded DNA. Whole-genome sequence analysis and real-time PCR reveal that genomic regions abundant in G4-DNA are protected from radiation-induced breaks and can be modulated by G4 stabilizers. Thus, our results reveal that formation of G4 structures contribute toward differential radiosensitivity of the human genome. G4 DNA contributes to genome-wide radioprotection and is modulated by G4 resolvases Radiation causes minimal damage at the G4 structures at telomeres Formation of G4 DNA contributes toward differential radiosensitivity of human genome Planar quartet of G4 DNA is shielded from IR-induced free radicals and thus DNA breaks
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24
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Pannunzio NR, Lieber MR. Constitutively active Artemis nuclease recognizes structures containing single-stranded DNA configurations. DNA Repair (Amst) 2019; 83:102676. [PMID: 31377101 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2019.102676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The Artemis nuclease recognizes and endonucleolytically cleaves at single-stranded to double-stranded DNA (ss/dsDNA) boundaries. It is also a key enzyme in the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) DNA double-strand break repair pathway. Previously, a truncated form, Artemis-413, was developed that is constitutively active both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we use this constitutively active form of Artemis to detect DNA structures with ss/dsDNA boundaries that arise under topological stress. Topoisomerases prevent abnormal levels of torsional stress through modulation of positive and negative supercoiling. We show that overexpression of Artemis-413 in yeast cells carrying genetic mutations that ablate topoisomerase activity have an increased frequency of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Based on the biochemical activity of Artemis, this suggests an increase in ss/dsDNA-containing structures upon increased torsional stress, with DSBs arising due to Artemis cutting at these ss/dsDNA structures. Camptothecin targets topoisomerase IB (Top1), and cells treated with camptothecin show increased DSBs. We find that expression of Artemis-413 in camptothecin-treated cells leads to a reduction in DSBs, the opposite of what we find with topoisomerase genetic mutations. This contrast between outcomes not only confirms that topoisomerase mutation and topoisomerase poisoning have distinct effects on cells, but also demonstrates the usefulness of Artemis-413 to study changes in DNA structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Pannunzio
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
| | - Michael R Lieber
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Molecular and Computational Biology Section, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
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25
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Ray S, Breuer G, DeVeaux M, Zelterman D, Bindra R, Sweasy JB. DNA polymerase beta participates in DNA End-joining. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:242-255. [PMID: 29161447 PMCID: PMC5758893 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx1147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are one of the most deleterious lesions and if left unrepaired, they lead to cell death, genomic instability and carcinogenesis. Cells combat DSBs by two pathways: homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), wherein the two DNA ends are re-joined. Recently a back-up NHEJ pathway has been reported and is referred to as alternative NHEJ (aNHEJ), which joins ends but results in deletions and insertions. NHEJ requires processing enzymes including nucleases and polymerases, although the roles of these enzymes are poorly understood. Emerging evidence indicates that X family DNA polymerases lambda (Pol λ) and mu (Pol μ) promote DNA end-joining. Here, we show that DNA polymerase beta (Pol β), another member of the X family of DNA polymerases, plays a role in aNHEJ. In the absence of DNA Pol β, fewer small deletions are observed. In addition, depletion of Pol β results in cellular sensitivity to bleomycin and DNA protein kinase catalytic subunit inhibitors due to defective repair of DSBs. In summary, our results indicate that Pol β in functions in aNHEJ and provide mechanistic insight into its role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreerupa Ray
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
| | - Gregory Breuer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA.,Department of Pathology, School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
| | - Michelle DeVeaux
- School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
| | - Daniel Zelterman
- School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
| | - Ranjit Bindra
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA.,Department of Pathology, School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
| | - Joann B Sweasy
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA.,Department of Genetics, School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
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26
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Scully R, Panday A, Elango R, Willis NA. DNA double-strand break repair-pathway choice in somatic mammalian cells. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2019; 20:698-714. [PMID: 31263220 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-019-0152-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 750] [Impact Index Per Article: 150.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The major pathways of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair are crucial for maintaining genomic stability. However, if deployed in an inappropriate cellular context, these same repair functions can mediate chromosome rearrangements that underlie various human diseases, ranging from developmental disorders to cancer. The two major mechanisms of DSB repair in mammalian cells are non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination. In this Review, we consider DSB repair-pathway choice in somatic mammalian cells as a series of 'decision trees', and explore how defective pathway choice can lead to genomic instability. Stalled, collapsed or broken DNA replication forks present a distinctive challenge to the DSB repair system. Emerging evidence suggests that the 'rules' governing repair-pathway choice at stalled replication forks differ from those at replication-independent DSBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Scully
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Arvind Panday
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rajula Elango
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas A Willis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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27
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Toma M, Skorski T, Sliwinski T. DNA Double Strand Break Repair - Related Synthetic Lethality. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:1446-1482. [PMID: 29421999 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180201114306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease with a high degree of diversity between and within tumors. Our limited knowledge of their biology results in ineffective treatment. However, personalized approach may represent a milestone in the field of anticancer therapy. It can increase specificity of treatment against tumor initiating cancer stem cells (CSCs) and cancer progenitor cells (CPCs) with minimal effect on normal cells and tissues. Cancerous cells carry multiple genetic and epigenetic aberrations which may disrupt pathways essential for cell survival. Discovery of synthetic lethality has led a new hope of creating effective and personalized antitumor treatment. Synthetic lethality occurs when simultaneous inactivation of two genes or their products causes cell death whereas individual inactivation of either gene is not lethal. The effectiveness of numerous anti-tumor therapies depends on induction of DNA damage therefore tumor cells expressing abnormalities in genes whose products are crucial for DNA repair pathways are promising targets for synthetic lethality. Here, we discuss mechanistic aspects of synthetic lethality in the context of deficiencies in DNA double strand break repair pathways. In addition, we review clinical trials utilizing synthetic lethality interactions and discuss the mechanisms of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Toma
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Tomasz Skorski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 3400 North Broad Street, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States
| | - Tomasz Sliwinski
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
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28
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Xue R, Peng Y, Han B, Li X, Chen Y, Pei H. Metastasis suppressor NME1 promotes non-homologous end joining of DNA double-strand breaks. DNA Repair (Amst) 2019; 77:27-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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29
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Abstract
Before a deleterious DNA lesion can be replaced with its undamaged counterpart, the lesion must first be removed from the genome. This process of removing and replacing DNA lesions is accomplished by the careful coordination of several protein factors during DNA repair. One such factor is the multifunctional enzyme human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1), known best for its DNA backbone cleavage activity at AP sites during base excision repair (BER). APE1 preforms AP site incision with surgical precision and skill, by sculpting the DNA to place the cleavage site in an optimal position for nucleophilic attack within its compact protein active site. APE1, however, has demonstrated broad surgical expertise, and applies its DNA cleavage activity to a wide variety of DNA and RNA substrates. Here, we discuss what is known and unknown about APE1 cleavage mechanisms, focusing on structural and mechanistic considerations. Importantly, disruptions in the biological functions associated with APE1 are linked to numerous human maladies, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The continued elucidation of APE1 mechanisms is required for rational drug design towards novel and strategic ways to target its associated repair pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M Whitaker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Bret D Freudenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
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30
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Pannunzio NR, Lieber MR. Concept of DNA Lesion Longevity and Chromosomal Translocations. Trends Biochem Sci 2018; 43:490-498. [PMID: 29735400 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2018.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
A subset of chromosomal translocations related to B cell malignancy in human patients arises due to DNA breaks occurring within defined 20-600 base pair (bp) zones. Several factors influence the breakage rate at these sites including transcription, DNA sequence, and topological tension. These factors favor non-B DNA structures that permit formation of transient single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), making the DNA more vulnerable to agents such as the enzyme activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Certain DNA lesions created during the ssDNA state persist after the DNA resumes its normal duplex structure. We propose that factors favoring both formation of transient ssDNA and persistent DNA lesions are key in determining the DNA breakage mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Pannunzio
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Michael R Lieber
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Section of Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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31
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Pannunzio NR, Watanabe G, Lieber MR. Nonhomologous DNA end-joining for repair of DNA double-strand breaks. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:10512-10523. [PMID: 29247009 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.tm117.000374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 314] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonhomologous DNA end-joining (NHEJ) is the predominant double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway throughout the cell cycle and accounts for nearly all DSB repair outside of the S and G2 phases. NHEJ relies on Ku to thread onto DNA termini and thereby improve the affinity of the NHEJ enzymatic components consisting of polymerases (Pol μ and Pol λ), a nuclease (the Artemis·DNA-PKcs complex), and a ligase (XLF·XRCC4·Lig4 complex). Each of the enzymatic components is distinctive for its versatility in acting on diverse incompatible DNA end configurations coupled with a flexibility in loading order, resulting in many possible junctional outcomes from one DSB. DNA ends can either be directly ligated or, if the ends are incompatible, processed until a ligatable configuration is achieved that is often stabilized by up to 4 bp of terminal microhomology. Processing of DNA ends results in nucleotide loss or addition, explaining why DSBs repaired by NHEJ are rarely restored to their original DNA sequence. Thus, NHEJ is a single pathway with multiple enzymes at its disposal to repair DSBs, resulting in a diversity of repair outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Pannunzio
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Section of Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90033
| | - Go Watanabe
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Section of Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90033
| | - Michael R Lieber
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Section of Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90033
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32
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Gerodimos CA, Chang HHY, Watanabe G, Lieber MR. Effects of DNA end configuration on XRCC4-DNA ligase IV and its stimulation of Artemis activity. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:13914-13924. [PMID: 28696258 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.798850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, nonhomologous DNA end-joining (NHEJ) is the major pathway by which DNA double-strand breaks are repaired. Recognition of each broken DNA end by the DNA repair protein Ku is the first step in NHEJ, followed by the iterative binding of nucleases, DNA polymerases, and the XRCC4-DNA ligase IV (X4-LIV) complex in an order influenced by the configuration of the two DNA ends at the break site. The endonuclease Artemis improves joining efficiency by functioning in a complex with DNA-dependent protein kinase, catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) that carries out endonucleolytic cleavage of 5' and 3' overhangs. Previously, we observed that X4-LIV alone can stimulate Artemis activity on 3' overhangs, but this DNA-PKcs-independent endonuclease activity of Artemis awaited confirmation. Here, using in vitro nuclease and ligation assays, we find that stimulation of Artemis nuclease activity by X4-LIV and the efficiency of blunt-end ligation are determined by structural configurations at the DNA end. Specifically, X4-LIV stimulated Artemis to cut near the end of 3' overhangs without the involvement of other NHEJ proteins. Of note, this ligase complex is not able to stimulate Artemis activity at hairpins or at 5' overhangs. We also found that X4-LIV and DNA-PKcs interfere with one another with respect to stimulating Artemis activity at 3' overhangs, favoring the view that these NHEJ proteins are sequentially rather than concurrently recruited to DNA ends. These data suggest specific functional and positional relationships among these components that explain genetic and molecular features of NHEJ and V(D)J recombination within cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A Gerodimos
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and the Department of Biological Sciences, Section of Molecular & Computational Biology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90033
| | - Howard H Y Chang
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and the Department of Biological Sciences, Section of Molecular & Computational Biology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90033
| | - Go Watanabe
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and the Department of Biological Sciences, Section of Molecular & Computational Biology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90033
| | - Michael R Lieber
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and the Department of Biological Sciences, Section of Molecular & Computational Biology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90033.
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33
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Non-homologous DNA end joining and alternative pathways to double-strand break repair. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2017; 18:495-506. [PMID: 28512351 DOI: 10.1038/nrm.2017.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 965] [Impact Index Per Article: 137.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most dangerous type of DNA damage because they can result in the loss of large chromosomal regions. In all mammalian cells, DSBs that occur throughout the cell cycle are repaired predominantly by the non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) pathway. Defects in NHEJ result in sensitivity to ionizing radiation and the ablation of lymphocytes. The NHEJ pathway utilizes proteins that recognize, resect, polymerize and ligate the DNA ends in a flexible manner. This flexibility permits NHEJ to function on a wide range of DNA-end configurations, with the resulting repaired DNA junctions often containing mutations. In this Review, we discuss the most recent findings regarding the relative involvement of the different NHEJ proteins in the repair of various DNA-end configurations. We also discuss the shunting of DNA-end repair to the auxiliary pathways of alternative end joining (a-EJ) or single-strand annealing (SSA) and the relevance of these different pathways to human disease.
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34
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Biehs R, Steinlage M, Barton O, Juhász S, Künzel J, Spies J, Shibata A, Jeggo PA, Löbrich M. DNA Double-Strand Break Resection Occurs during Non-homologous End Joining in G1 but Is Distinct from Resection during Homologous Recombination. Mol Cell 2017; 65:671-684.e5. [PMID: 28132842 PMCID: PMC5316416 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2016.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Canonical non-homologous end joining (c-NHEJ) repairs DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in G1 cells with biphasic kinetics. We show that DSBs repaired with slow kinetics, including those localizing to heterochromatic regions or harboring additional lesions at the DSB site, undergo resection prior to repair by c-NHEJ and not alt-NHEJ. Resection-dependent c-NHEJ represents an inducible process during which Plk3 phosphorylates CtIP, mediating its interaction with Brca1 and promoting the initiation of resection. Mre11 exonuclease, EXD2, and Exo1 execute resection, and Artemis endonuclease functions to complete the process. If resection does not commence, then repair can ensue by c-NHEJ, but when executed, Artemis is essential to complete resection-dependent c-NHEJ. Additionally, Mre11 endonuclease activity is dispensable for resection in G1. Thus, resection in G1 differs from the process in G2 that leads to homologous recombination. Resection-dependent c-NHEJ significantly contributes to the formation of deletions and translocations in G1, which represent important initiating events in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronja Biehs
- Radiation Biology and DNA Repair, Darmstadt University of Technology, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Monika Steinlage
- Radiation Biology and DNA Repair, Darmstadt University of Technology, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Olivia Barton
- Radiation Biology and DNA Repair, Darmstadt University of Technology, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Szilvia Juhász
- Radiation Biology and DNA Repair, Darmstadt University of Technology, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julia Künzel
- Radiation Biology and DNA Repair, Darmstadt University of Technology, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julian Spies
- Radiation Biology and DNA Repair, Darmstadt University of Technology, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Atsushi Shibata
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK; Advanced Scientific Research Leaders Development Unit, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan.
| | - Penny A Jeggo
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
| | - Markus Löbrich
- Radiation Biology and DNA Repair, Darmstadt University of Technology, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
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35
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Chang HHY, Watanabe G, Gerodimos CA, Ochi T, Blundell TL, Jackson SP, Lieber MR. Different DNA End Configurations Dictate Which NHEJ Components Are Most Important for Joining Efficiency. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:24377-24389. [PMID: 27703001 PMCID: PMC5114395 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.752329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The nonhomologous DNA end-joining (NHEJ) pathway is a key mechanism for repairing dsDNA breaks that occur often in eukaryotic cells. In the simplest model, these breaks are first recognized by Ku, which then interacts with other NHEJ proteins to improve their affinity at DNA ends. These include DNA-PKcs and Artemis for trimming the DNA ends; DNA polymerase μ and λ to add nucleotides; and the DNA ligase IV complex to ligate the ends with the additional factors, XRCC4 (X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 4), XLF (XRCC4-like factor/Cernunos), and PAXX (paralog of XRCC4 and XLF). In vivo studies have demonstrated the degrees of importance of these NHEJ proteins in the mechanism of repair of dsDNA breaks, but interpretations can be confounded by other cellular processes. In vitro studies with NHEJ proteins have been performed to evaluate the nucleolytic resection, polymerization, and ligation steps, but a complete system has been elusive. Here we have developed a NHEJ reconstitution system that includes the nuclease, polymerase, and ligase components to evaluate relative NHEJ efficiency and analyze ligated junctional sequences for various types of DNA ends, including blunt, 5' overhangs, and 3' overhangs. We find that different dsDNA end structures have differential dependence on these enzymatic components. The dependence of some end joining on only Ku and XRCC4·DNA ligase IV allows us to formulate a physical model that incorporates nuclease and polymerase components as needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard H Y Chang
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and the Section of Molecular & Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 90033 and
| | - Go Watanabe
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and the Section of Molecular & Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 90033 and
| | - Christina A Gerodimos
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and the Section of Molecular & Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 90033 and
| | - Takashi Ochi
- the Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
| | - Tom L Blundell
- the Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen P Jackson
- the Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
| | - Michael R Lieber
- From the Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and the Section of Molecular & Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 90033 and.
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36
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Li J, Xu X. DNA double-strand break repair: a tale of pathway choices. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2016; 48:641-6. [PMID: 27217474 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmw045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Deoxyribonucleic acid double-strand breaks (DSBs) are cytotoxic lesions that must be repaired either through homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathways. DSB repair is critical for genome integrity, cellular homeostasis and also constitutes the biological foundation for radiotherapy and the majority of chemotherapy. The choice between HR and NHEJ is a complex yet not completely understood process that will entail more future efforts. Herein we review our current understandings about how the choice is made over an antagonizing balance between p53-binding protein 1 and breast cancer 1 in the context of cell cycle stages, downstream effects, and distinct chromosomal histone marks. These exciting areas of research will surely bring more mechanistic insights about DSB repair and be utilized in the clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of DNA Damage Response and College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Xingzhi Xu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of DNA Damage Response and College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
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37
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Yang K, Guo R, Xu D. Non-homologous end joining: advances and frontiers. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2016; 48:632-40. [PMID: 27217473 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmw046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most serious form of DNA damage. In human cells, non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is the major pathway for the repair of DSBs. Different types of DSBs result in different subsets of NHEJ repair strategies. These variations in NHEJ repair strategies depend on numerous elements, such as the flexible recruitment of NHEJ-related proteins, the complexity of the DSB ends, and the spatial- and temporal-ordered formation of the multi-protein complex. On the one hand, current studies of DNA DSBs repair focus on the repair pathway choices between homologous recombination and classic or alternative NHEJ. On the other hand, increasing researches have also deepened the significance and dug into the cross-links between the NHEJ pathway and the area of genome organization and aging. Although remarkable progress has been made in elucidating the underlying principles during the past decades, the detailed mechanism of action in response to different types of DSBs remains largely unknown and needs further evaluation in the future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Rong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Dongyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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38
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Chang HHY, Lieber MR. Structure-Specific nuclease activities of Artemis and the Artemis: DNA-PKcs complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:4991-7. [PMID: 27198222 PMCID: PMC4914130 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemis is a vertebrate nuclease with both endo- and exonuclease activities that acts on a wide range of nucleic acid substrates. It is the main nuclease in the non-homologous DNA end-joining pathway (NHEJ). Not only is Artemis important for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in NHEJ, it is essential in opening the DNA hairpin intermediates that are formed during V(D)J recombination. Thus, humans with Artemis deficiencies do not have T- or B-lymphocytes and are diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). While Artemis is the only vertebrate nuclease capable of opening DNA hairpins, it has also been found to act on other DNA substrates that share common structural features. Here, we discuss the key structural features that all Artemis DNA substrates have in common, thus providing a basis for understanding how this structure-specific nuclease recognizes its DNA targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard H Y Chang
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Michael R Lieber
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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