UV light-induced DNA damage and tolerance for the survival of nucleotide excision repair-deficient human cells

Selective enhancement of (6-4) photoproduct formation in dithymine dinucleotides driven by specific sugar puckering

Four dinucleotide analogs of thymidylyl(3'-5')thymidine (TpT) have been designed and synthesized with a view to increase the selectivity, with respect to CPD, of efficient UV-induced (6-4) photoproduct formation. The deoxyribose residues of these analogs have been modified to increase north and south conformer populations at 5'- and 3'-ends, respectively. Dinucleotides whose 5'-end north population exceeds ca. 60% and whose 3'-end population is almost completely south display a three-fold selective enhancement in (6-4) adduct production when exposed to UV radiation, compared to TpT. These experimental results undoubtedly provide robust foundations for studying the singular ground-state proreactive species involved in the (6-4) photoproduct formation mechanism.

Low-intensity illumination for lensless digital holographic microscopy with minimized sample interaction

Exposure to laser light alters cell culture examination via optical microscopic imaging techniques based on label-free coherent digital holography. To mitigate this detrimental feature, researchers tend to use a broader spectrum and lower intensity of illumination, which can decrease the quality of holographic imaging due to lower resolution and higher noise. We study the lensless digital holographic microscopy (LDHM) ability to operate in the low photon budget (LPB) regime to enable imaging of unimpaired live cells with minimized sample interaction. Low-cost off-the-shelf components are used, promoting the usability of such a straightforward approach. We show that recording data in the LPB regime (down to 7 µW of illumination power) does not limit the contrast or resolution of the hologram phase and amplitude reconstruction compared to regular illumination. The LPB generates hardware camera shot noise, however, to be effectively minimized via numerical denoising. The ability to obtain high-quality, high-resolution optical complex field reconstruction was confirmed using the USAF 1951 amplitude sample, phase resolution test target, and finally, live glial restricted progenitor cells (as a challenging strongly absorbing and scattering biomedical sample). The proposed approach based on severely limiting the photon budget in lensless holographic microscopy method can open new avenues in high-throughout (optimal resolution, large field-of-view, and high signal-to-noise-ratio single-hologram reconstruction) cell culture imaging with minimized sample interaction.

SN- and NS-puckered sugar conformers are precursors of the (6-4) photoproduct in thymine dinucleotide

Some amount of furanose in a southern conformation, possibly in both, but certainly in one of the two adjacent nucleotides of a dipyrimidine site, is necessary for (6-4) photoproduct formation in oligonucleotides. To explore the necessity, role, and most favorable location of each South sugar conformer in the formation of the (6-4) adduct in the thymine dinucleotide TpT, the photochemical behavior of two synthetic analogues, in which the South sugar conformation is prohibited for one of their two sugars, has been examined. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate that the presence of one sugar presenting some amount of South puckering, at any of the extremities, is sufficient to trigger (6-4) adduct formation. Nonetheless, the photochemical behavior of the dinucleotide with a South-puckered conformation at the 5'-end, mimics more closely that of TpT. In addition, using the 5' North 3' South-dilocked dinucleotide, we demonstrate that the flexibility of the South pucker at the 3'-end has little influence on the (6-4) adduct formation.

Visible light-activatable Q-dye molecular beacons for long-term mRNA monitoring in neurons

Herein, we present a new class of Q-dye molecular beacons (MBs) that can be locally activated with visible light in hippocampal neurons. Our novel architecture increases the available monitoring time for neuronal mRNA from several minutes to 14 hours, since a lower light-sampling rate is required for tracking.

Effect of therapeutic UVC on corneal DNA: Safety assessment for potential keratitis treatment

PURPOSE

Antimicrobial ultraviolet C (UVC) has proven efficacy in vitro against keratitis isolates and has potential to treat corneal infection if safety can be confirmed.

METHOD

Safety of 265 nm, 1.93 mW/cm² intensity UVC (15-300 s exposures) was investigated in vitro via cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) formation in DNA of human cultured corneal epithelial cells; ex vivo, by evaluating UVC transmissibility as a function of porcine corneal thickness; and in vivo, by evaluating CPD induction in the mouse cornea following UVC exposure.

RESULTS

A single exposure of 15 s UVC did not induce significant CPD formation (0.92 ± 1.45%) in vitro relative to untreated control (p = 0.93) whereas 300 s exposure caused extensive CPD formation (86.8 ± 13.73%; p < 0.0001). Cumulative exposure to 15 s UVC daily for 3 days induced more CPD (14.6 ± 8.2%) than a single equivalent 45 s exposure (8.3 ± 4.0%) (p < 0.001) but levels returned to baseline within 72 h (p = 0.29), indicating highly efficient DNA repair. Ex vivo, UVC transmission decreased sharply with increasing corneal thickness, confirming UVC effects are limited to the superficial corneal layers. In vivo evaluations demonstrated no detectable CPD after three consecutive daily 15 s UVC exposures, whereas a single 300 s exposure induced extensive CPD formation in superficial corneal epithelium.

CONCLUSION

Up to three daily doses of 15 s UVC, in vivo, appear safe with respect to CPD formation. Ongoing research exploring UVC as a possible treatment for microbial keratitis is warranted.

Integrating DNA damage response and autophagy signalling axis in ultraviolet-B induced skin photo-damage: a positive association in protecting cells against genotoxic stress

The skin acts as both physical as well as an immunological barrier against hazardous agents from the outside environment and protects the internal organs against damage. Skin ageing is a dynamic process caused by the influence of various external factors, including damage from ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation, which is known as photo-ageing, and due to internal chronological mechanisms. A normal ageing process requires several orchestrated defense mechanisms to diverse types of stress responses, the concomitant renewal of cellular characteristics, and the homeostasis of different cell types that directly or indirectly protect the integrity of skin. Cumulative oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses and their adverse impact on biological systems in the skin are a common mechanism of the ageing process, negatively impacting DNA by causing mutations that lead to many physiological, functional, and aesthetic changes in the skin, culminating in the development of many diseases, including photo-damage and photo-carcinogenesis. Exposure of the skin to ultraviolet-(B) elicits the activation of signal transduction pathways, including DNA damage response, autophagy, and checkpoint signal adaptations associated with clearing radiation-induced DNA damage. Recent experimental reports suggest that autophagy is involved in maintaining skin homeostasis upon encountering different stresses, notably genotoxic stress. It has also been revealed that autophagy positively regulates the recognition of DNA damage by nucleotide excision repair and that skin ageing is associated with defects in the autophagy process. Moreover, autophagy is constitutively active in the skin epithelium, imparting protection to skin cells against a diverse range of outside insults, thus increasing resistance to environmental stressors. It has also been found that the stress-induced suppression of the autophagy response in experimental settings leads to enhanced apoptosis during photo-ageing upon UV-B exposure and that the maintenance of homeostasis depends on cellular autophagy levels. More recent reports in this domain claim that relieving the oxidative-stress-mediated induction of the ER stress response upon UV-B irradiation protects skin cells from photo-damage effects. The integration of autophagy and the DNA damage response under genotoxic stress is being considered as a meaningful partnership for finding novel molecular targets and devising suitable therapeutic strategies against photo-ageing disorders. Here, we summarize and review the current understanding of the mechanisms governing the intricate interplay between autophagy and the DNA damage response and its regulation by UV-B, the roles of autophagy in regulating the cellular response to UV-B-induced photodamage, and the implications of the modulation of autophagy as a meaningful partnership in the treatment and prevention of photoaging disorders.

The 6-4 photoproduct is the trigger of UV-induced replication blockage and ATR activation

The most prevalent human carcinogen is sunlight-associated ultraviolet (UV), a physiologic dose of which generates thousands of DNA lesions per cell, mostly of two types: cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6-4 photoproducts (6-4PPs). It has not been possible, in living cells, to precisely characterize the respective contributions of these two lesion types to the signals that regulate cell cycle progression, DNA replication, and cell survival. Here we coupled multiparameter flow cytometry with lesion-specific photolyases that eliminate either CPDs or 6-4PPs and determined their respective contributions to DNA damage responses. Strikingly, only 6-4PP lesions activated the ATR-Chk1 DNA damage response pathway. Mechanistically, 6-4PPs, but not CPDs, impeded DNA replication across the genome as revealed by microfluidic-assisted replication track analysis. Furthermore, single-stranded DNA accumulated preferentially at 6-4PPs during DNA replication, indicating selective and prolonged replication blockage at 6-4PPs. These findings suggest that 6-4PPs, although eightfold fewer in number than CPDs, are the trigger for UV-induced DNA damage responses.

The Potential Regulatory Roles of lncRNAs in DNA Damage Response in Human Lymphocytes Exposed to UVC Irradiation

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that modulate gene expression, thereby participating in the regulation of various cellular processes. However, it is not clear about the expression and underlying mechanism of lncRNAs in irradiation-induced DNA damage response. In the present study, we performed integrative analysis of lncRNA-mRNA expression profile in human lymphocytes irradiated with ultraviolet-C (UVC). The results showed that exposure to UVC irradiation dose-dependently increased the fluorescence intensity of γ-H₂AX and induced cell death. Microarray analysis revealed that up-regulated lncRNAs were more common than down-regulated lncRNAs with the increase of radiation dose in UVC-radiated cells. Stem analysis demonstrated the relationship between lncRNA expression level and radiation dose. qPCR results confirmed that LOC338799 and its coexpressed genes such as LCE1F and ISCU showed the increase in expression levels with the increase of UVC radiation dose. We utilized Cytoscape to screen out 5 lncRNAs and 13 coexpressed genes linking to p53, which might participate in the regulation of DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and cell death. These findings suggest that lncRNAs might play a role in UVC-induced DNA damage response through regulating expression of genes in p53 signaling pathway.

Shining light on the response to repair intermediates in DNA of living cells

Fluorescently-tagged repair proteins have been widely used to probe recruitment to micro-irradiation-induced nuclear DNA damage in living cells. Here, we quantify APE1 dynamics after micro-irradiation. Markers of DNA damage are characterized and UV-A laser micro-irradiation energy conditions are selected for formation of oxidatively-induced DNA base damage and single strand breaks, but without detectable double strand breaks. Increased energy of laser micro-irradiation, compared with that used previously in our work, enables study of APE1 dynamics at the lesion site. APE1 shows rapid transient kinetics, with recruitment half-time of less than 1 s and dissociation half-time of less than 15 s. In cells co-transfected with APE1 and PARP1, the recruitment half-time of PARP1 was slower than that of APE1, indicating APE1 is a rapid responder to the damage site. While recruitment of APE1 is unchanged in the presence of co-transfected PARP1, APE1 dissociation is 3-fold slower, revealing PARP1 involvement in APE1 dynamics. Further, we find that APE1 dissociation kinetics are strongly modified in the absence of DNA polymerase β (pol β). After unchanged recruitment to the damage site, dissociation of APE1 became undetectable. This indicates a necessary role for pol β in APE1 release after its recruitment to the damage site. These observations represent an advance in our understanding of in vivo dynamics of base excision repair factors APE1, PARP1 and pol β.

UV-C pretreatment of fresh-cut faba beans (Vicia faba) for shelf life extension: Effects of domestic microwaving for consumption

Faba beans have a short shelf life which is even reduced after fresh-cut processing mainly due to browning and dehydration. In that sense, the effects of a UV-C treatment (3 kJ m^-2), compared with non-exposed beans (CTRL), were studied on the sensory and microbial quality, and bioactive and anti-nutritional content of fresh-cut faba beans (cv. Muchamiel) during storage at 5 ℃. The effect of a domestic microwaving (3 min, 900 W) on bioactive and anti-nutritional compounds of fresh seeds prior to consumption at each sampling time was also studied. UV-C treatment extended the fresh-cut faba bean shelf life from 7 to 10 days with browning score (the main sensory parameter adversely affected) of 8 and 1 log unit lower than CTRL at day 10. UV-C did not negatively affect the total antioxidant capacity of samples during storage. The phytic acid and raffinose contents decreased by 30/40%, respectively, after 10 days, without influence of the UV-C treatment. Microwaving reduced the phytic acid and condensed tannins contents by 30% in those samples stored for up to six days, with low microwaving effect in the last storage days. Nevertheless, UV-C improved the condensed tannins reductions through storage (≈30%) compared with non-irradiated samples.

UVR and PAR absorbing compounds of marine brown macroalgae along a latitudinal gradient of the Brazilian coast

Absorption spectra are indicative of biological sample chemical composition and can be used as a basis for the construction of descriptive and predictive models for biotechnological screening or assays. In marine algae, chemical composition can vary due to species-specific differences in biochemistry, as well as intra-specific responses to unique environmental variables. Different indices (UVCi, UVB+Ai and PARi) were proposed and calculated to evaluate how photoprotective compounds vary in 18 species of Phaeophyceae. In addition, they were correlated to abiotic factors. Through this technique, seven main peaks were detected in the absorbing spectra of marine brown algal extracts. The highest photoprotective indices values were found in species collected in tropical areas, where higher solar radiation is observed compared to the southern Brazilian coast. Considering additional abiotic factors, water temperature and nitrate concentration were negatively correlated with UV indices. PARi's indices were positively affected by nitrate. All species collected on the Brazilian coast have absorption peaks in the region of phenolic compounds and carotenoids, suggesting that tropical marine brown macroalgae may have developed an effective antioxidant defense system, suggesting adaptation to environments characterized by high solar radiation. UVR/PAR indices congregated essential information to possible future biotechnological screening, facilitating selection of high priority species or sites, fostering actions to enhance alternative sustainable management strategies of coastal environments.

Autophagy in UV Damage Response

UV radiation exposure from sunlight and artificial tanning beds is the major risk factor for the development of skin cancer and skin photoaging. UV-induced skin damage can trigger a cascade of DNA damage response signaling pathways, including cell cycle arrest, DNA repair and, if damage is irreparable, apoptosis. Compensatory proliferation replaces the apoptotic cells to maintain skin barrier integrity. Disruption of these processes can be exploited to promote carcinogenesis by allowing the survival and proliferation of damaged cells. UV radiation also induces autophagy, a catabolic process that clears unwanted or damaged proteins, lipids and organelles. The mechanisms by which autophagy is activated following UV exposure, and the functions of autophagy in UV response, are only now being clarified. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms governing autophagy regulation by UV, the roles of autophagy in regulating cellular response to UV-induced photodamage and the implications of autophagy modulation in the treatment and prevention of photoaging and skin cancer.

Combined loss of three DNA damage response pathways renders C. elegans intolerant to light

Infliction of DNA damage initiates a complex cellular reaction - the DNA damage response - that involves both signaling and DNA repair networks with many redundancies and parallel pathways. Here, we reveal the three strategies that the simple multicellular eukaryote, C. elegans, uses to deal with DNA damage induced by light. Separately inactivating repair or replicative bypass of photo-lesions results in cellular hypersensitivity towards UV-light, but impeding repair of replication associated DNA breaks does not. Yet, we observe an unprecedented synergistic relationship when these pathways are inactivated in combination. C. elegans mutants that lack nucleotide excision repair (NER), translesion synthesis (TLS) and alternative end joining (altEJ) grow undisturbed in the dark, but become sterile when grown in light. Even exposure to very low levels of normal daylight impedes animal growth. We show that NER and TLS operate to suppress the formation of lethal DNA breaks that require polymerase theta-mediated end joining (TMEJ) for their repair. Our data testifies to the enormous genotoxicity of light and to the demand of multiple layers of protection against an environmental threat that is so common.

In Vivo Spectrum of UVC-induced Mutation in Mouse Skin Epidermis May Reflect the Cytosine Deamination Propensity of Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers

Although ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has a genotoxicity for inducing skin cancers, the skin may tolerate UVC component because the epidermal layer prevents this short wavelength range from passing through. Here, UVC genotoxicity for mouse skin was evaluated in terms of DNA damage formation and mutagenicity. UVC induced UVR photolesions and mutations remarkably in the epidermis but poorly in the dermis, confirming the barrier ability of the epidermis against shorter UVR wavelengths. Moreover, the epidermis itself responded to UVC mutagenicity with mutation induction suppression, which suppressed the mutant frequencies to a remarkably low, constant level regardless of UVC dose. The mutation spectrum observed in UVC-exposed epidermis showed a predominance of UV-signature mutation, which occurred frequently in 5'-TCG-3', 5'-TCA-3' and 5'-CCA-3' contexts. Especially, for the former two contexts, the mutations recurred at several sites with more remarkable recurrences at the 5'-TCG-3' sites. Comparison of the UVC mutation spectrum with those observed in longer UVR wavelength ranges led us to a mechanism that explains why the sequence context preference of UV-signature mutation changes according to the wavelength, which is based on the difference in the mCpG preference of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) formation among UVR ranges and the sequence context-dependent cytosine deamination propensity of CPD.

DNA sequence context greatly affects the accuracy of bypass across an ultraviolet light 6-4 photoproduct in mammalian cells

Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) is a DNA damage tolerance mechanism carried out by low-fidelity DNA polymerases that bypass DNA lesions, which overcomes replication stalling. Despite the miscoding nature of most common DNA lesions, several of them are bypassed in mammalian cells in a relatively accurate manner, which plays a key role maintaining a low mutation load. Whereas it is generally agreed that TLS across the major UV and sunlight induced DNA lesion, the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD), is accurate, there were conflicting reports on whether the same is true for the thymine-thymine pyrimidine-pyrimidone(6-4) ultraviolet light photoproduct (TT6-4PP), which represents the second most common class of UV lesions. Using a TLS assay system based on gapped plasmids carrying site-specific TT6-4PP lesions in defined sequence contexts we show that the DNA sequence context markedly affected both the extent and accuracy of TLS. The sequence exhibiting higher TLS exhibited also higher error-frequency, caused primarily by semi-targeted mutations, at the nearest nucleotides flanking the lesion. Our results resolve the discrepancy reported on TLS across TT6-4PP, and suggest that TLS is more accurate in human cells than in mouse cells.

LED-controlled tuning of ZnO nanowires' wettability for biosensing applications

Background

Wettability is an important property of solid materials which can be controlled by surface energy. Dynamic control over the surface wettability is of great importance for biosensing applications. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a biocompatible material suitable for biosensors and microfluidic devices. Nanowires of ZnO tend to show a hydrophobic nature which decelerates the adhesion or adsorption of biomolecules on the surface and, therefore, limits their application.

Methods

Surface wettability of the ZnO nanowires can be tuned using light irradiation. However, the control over wettability using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and the role of wavelength in controlling the wettability of ZnO nanowires are unclear. This is the first report on LED-based wettability control of nanowires, and it includes investigations on tuning the desired wettability of ZnO nanowires using LEDs as a controlling tool.

Results

The investigations on spectral properties of the LED emission on ZnO nanowires’ wettability have shown strong dependency on the spectral overlap of LED emission on ZnO absorption spectra. Results indicate that LEDs offer an advanced control on dynamically tuning the wettability of ZnO nanowires.

Conclusion

The spectral investigations have provided significant insight into the role of irradiating wavelength of light and irradiation time on the surface wettability of ZnO nanowires. This process is suitable to realize on chip based integrated sensors and has huge potential for eco-friendly biosensing and environmental sensing applications.

A minute amount of s-puckered sugars is sufficient for (6-4) photoproduct formation at the dinucleotide level

The di-2'-α-fluoro analogue of thymidylyl(3',5')thymidine, synthesized to probe the effect of a minimum amount of S conformer on the photoreactivity of dinucleotides, is endowed with only 3% and 8% of S sugar conformation at its 5'- and 3'-end, respectively. This analogue gives rise to the (6-4) photoproduct as efficiently as the dithymine dinucleotide (74% and 66% at the 5'- and 3'-end, respectively) under 254 nm. Our results suggest that the 5'-N, 3'-S conformer gives rise to the (6-4) photoproduct.

Dynamics of polycomb proteins-mediated histone modifications during UV irradiation-induced DNA damage

Polycomb group (PcG) complexes are known to be chromatin modifiers and transcriptional repressors. In this work, we reported that the histone-modifying PcG complexes are able to participate in the repair process of ultraviolet (UV)-induced DNA lesions in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The silkworm cells with depletion of PcG genes showed hypersensitive to UV-C irradiation and increased inhibition of cell proliferation. Interestingly, an SQ site in the silkworm-human chimeric H2A protein synthesized here was phosphorylated rapidly upon UV-C exposure, which could be used as a marker for monitoring the response to DNA damage in silkworm cells. Under these UV-C irradiated conditions, we found that PRC1-mediated ubiquitylation of H2AX, but not of H2AZ, were decreased and this deubiquitylation was independent of its phosphorylation event. In contrast, UV-C irradiation induced the increase of trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3), a mark of transcriptionally silent chromatin catalyzed by another PcG subcomplex, PRC2. Collectively, we provided the first evidence on chromatin remodeling in response to UV-C lesion in silkworm and revealed another layer role for PcG complexes-mediated histone modifications in contributing to creating an open chromatin structure for the efficient repair of DNA damages.

Transfection of pseudouridine-modified mRNA encoding CPD-photolyase leads to repair of DNA damage in human keratinocytes: a new approach with future therapeutic potential

UVB irradiation induces harmful photochemical reactions, including formation of Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers (CPDs) in DNA. Accumulation of unrepaired CPD lesions causes inflammation, premature ageing and skin cancer. Photolyases are DNA repair enzymes that can rapidly restore DNA integrity in a light-dependent process called photoreactivation, but these enzymes are absent in humans. Here, we present a novel mRNA-based gene therapy method that directs synthesis of a marsupial, Potorous tridactylus, CPD-photolyase in cultured human keratinocytes. Pseudouridine was incorporated during in vitro transcription to make the mRNA non-immunogenic and highly translatable. Keratinocytes transfected with lipofectamine-complexed mRNA expressed photolyase in the nuclei for at least 2days. Exposing photolyase mRNA-transfected cells to UVB irradiation resulted in significantly less CPD in those cells that were also treated with photoreactivating light, which is required for photolyase activity. The functional photolyase also diminished other UVB-mediated effects, including induction of IL-6 and inhibition of cell proliferation. These results demonstrate that pseudouridine-containing photolyase mRNA is a powerful tool to repair UVB-induced DNA lesions. The pseudouridine-modified mRNA approach has a strong potential to discern cellular effects of CPD in UV-related cell biological studies. The mRNA-based transient expression of proteins offers a number of opportunities for future application in medicine.

The role of AKT/mTOR pathway in stress response to UV-irradiation: implication in skin carcinogenesis by regulation of apoptosis, autophagy and senescence

Induction of DNA damage by UVB and UVA radiation may generate mutations and genomic instability leading to carcinogenesis. Therefore, skin cells being repeatedly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light have acquired multilayered protective mechanisms to avoid malignant transformation. Besides extensive DNA repair mechanisms, the damaged skin cells can be eliminated by induction of apoptosis, which is mediated through the action of tumor suppressor p53. In order to prevent the excessive loss of skin cells and to maintain the skin barrier function, apoptotic pathways are counteracted by anti-apoptotic signaling including the AKT/mTOR pathway. However, AKT/mTOR not only prevents cell death, but is also active in cell cycle transition and hyper-proliferation, thereby also counteracting p53. In turn, AKT/mTOR is tuned down by the negative regulators being controlled by the p53. This inhibition of AKT/mTOR, in combination with transactivation of damage-regulated autophagy modulators, guides the p53-mediated elimination of damaged cellular components by autophagic clearance. Alternatively, p53 irreversibly blocks cell cycle progression to prevent AKT/mTOR-driven proliferation, thereby inducing premature senescence. Conclusively, AKT/mTOR via an extensive cross talk with p53 influences the UV response in the skin with no black and white scenario deciding over death or survival.

Irradiance, but not fluence, plays a crucial role in UVB-induced immature pigment cell development: new insights for efficient UVB phototherapy

Light exposure modulates development of living organisms. In the field of medicine, light has frequently been used for regenerative purposes. Excimer light (308 nm) has demonstrated superior efficacy in treating vitiligo, a condition requiring development of melanoblasts and a model for studying nerve cell regeneration, as compared to narrow-band ultraviolet B (NBUVB; 311 nm). Using mouse-derived melanoblast cells to examine the pro-differentiation effects of these two light sources, we demonstrated that at equivalent fluence, excimer light induces melanoblast differentiation, while NBUVB failed to so. Mechanistically, activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway and nuclear translocation of epidermal growth factor receptor are involved in pro-differentiation effects of excimer light. Reduction in irradiance by filter abrogated the effects of excimer light in melanoblasts, even when equivalent fluence was delivered by the same light source. As ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation is closely associated pigment cell development, future therapy employing UVB for pigmentation purposes should incorporate irradiance as a crucial specification.

XPD could suppress growth of HepG2.2.15 and down-regulate the expression of hepatitis B virus x protein through P53 pathway

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the effects of xeroderma pigmentosum D (XPD) on the growth of hepatoma cells and the expressions of P21, Bax, Bcl-2 and Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx). In addition, we examined whether XPD affected the aforementioned genes via the P53 pathway.

METHODS

Human hepatoma cells (HepG2.2.15) were transfected with XPD expression vector, followed by incubation with Pifithrin-α (P53 inhibitor). By using RT-PCR and Western blotting, the expression levels of XPD, P53, phospho-P53 (ser-15), P21, Bax, Bcl-2 and HBx were detected. The cell cycle and the apoptosis rate were examined with flow cytometry, and the cell viability was detected by MTT.

RESULTS

Over-expression of XPD up-regulated the expressions of P53, phospho-P53 (ser-15), P21 and Bax but down-regulated the expressions of Bcl-2 and HBx. XPD inhibited the viability of HepG2.2.15 and exacerbated the apoptosis. However, the inhibition of P53 by Pifithrin-α abolished the above-mentioned effects of XPD.

CONCLUSION

XPD could suppress growth of hepatoma cells, up-regulate the expressions of P21 and Bax, and down-regulate the expressions of Bcl-2 and HBx through the P53 pathway. There may be mutual influences among XPD, P53 and HBx that co-regulate hepatocarcinogenesis.

Monoubiquitinated histone H2A destabilizes photolesion-containing nucleosomes with concomitant release of UV-damaged DNA-binding protein E3 ligase

How the nucleotide excision repair (NER) machinery gains access to damaged chromatinized DNA templates and how the chromatin structure is modified to promote efficient repair of the non-transcribed genome remain poorly understood. The UV-damaged DNA-binding protein complex (UV-DDB, consisting of DDB1 and DDB2, the latter of which is mutated in xeroderma pigmentosum group E patients, is a substrate-recruiting module of the cullin 4B-based E3 ligase complex, DDB1-CUL4B^DDB2. We previously reported that the deficiency of UV-DDB E3 ligases in ubiquitinating histone H2A at UV-damaged DNA sites in the xeroderma pigmentosum group E cells contributes to the faulty NER in these skin cancer-prone patients. Here, we reveal the mechanism by which monoubiquitination of specific H2A lysine residues alters nucleosomal dynamics and subsequently initiates NER. We show that DDB1-CUL4B^DDB2 E3 ligase specifically binds to mononucleosomes assembled with human recombinant histone octamers and nucleosome-positioning DNA containing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers or 6-4 photoproducts photolesions. We demonstrate functionally that ubiquitination of H2A Lys-119/Lys-120 is necessary for destabilization of nucleosomes and concomitant release of DDB1-CUL4B^DDB2 from photolesion-containing DNA. Nucleosomes in which these lysines are replaced with arginines are resistant to such structural changes, and arginine mutants prevent the eviction of H2A and dissociation of polyubiquitinated DDB2 from UV-damaged nucleosomes. The partial eviction of H3 from the nucleosomes is dependent on ubiquitinated H2A Lys-119/Lys-120. Our results provide mechanistic insight into how post-translational modification of H2A at the site of a photolesion initiates the repair process and directly affects the stability of the human genome.

Irradiation of skin with visible light induces reactive oxygen species and matrix-degrading enzymes

Daily skin exposure to solar radiation causes cells to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are a primary factor in skin damage. Although the contribution of the UV component to skin damage has been established, few studies have examined the effects of non-UV solar radiation on skin physiology. Solar radiation comprises <10% of UV, and thus the purpose of this study was to examine the physiological response of skin to visible light (400-700 nm). Irradiation of human skin equivalents with visible light induced production of ROS, proinflammatory cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression. Commercially available sunscreens were found to have minimal effects on reducing visible light-induced ROS, suggesting that UVA/UVB sunscreens do not protect the skin from visible light-induced responses. Using clinical models to assess the generation of free radicals from oxidative stress, higher levels of free radical activity were found after visible light exposure. Pretreatment with a photostable UVA/UVB sunscreen containing an antioxidant combination significantly reduced the production of ROS, cytokines, and MMP expression in vitro, and decreased oxidative stress in human subjects after visible light irradiation. Taken together, these findings suggest that other portions of the solar spectrum aside from UV, particularly visible light, may also contribute to signs of premature photoaging in skin.

Photoprotection against the UVB-induced oxidative stress and epidermal damage in mice using leaves of three different varieties of Lepidium meyenii (maca)

BACKGROUND

Skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) B radiation leads to epidermal damage and generation of reactive oxygen species. The photoprotective effect of extracts of three varieties of leaves (red, yellow, and black) from maca (Lepidium meyenii), a plant from the Peruvian highlands, was assessed in mouse skin exposed to UVB radiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The hydroalcoholic extracts of three varieties of maca leaves were applied topically to the dorsal skin of young-adult male mice prior to exposition to UVB radiation.

RESULTS

The three varieties had UVA/UVB absorptive properties and presented antioxidant activity, being highest with red maca, followed by black and yellow maca. The three varieties of maca leaves prevented the development of sunburn cells, epidermal hyperplasia, leukocytic infiltration, and other alterations produced by UVB radiation. Mice treated with black maca showed the highest superoxide dismutase levels, and mice treated with black and yellow maca showed higher catalase levels in skin, whereas red maca protected the skin and liver against significant increases in the lipid peroxidation activity observed in the unprotected animals.

CONCLUSION

The presence of significant antioxidant activity and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation suggest that the observed protection could be partly attributable to this mechanism.

Theoretical studies on photoisomerizations of (6-4) and Dewar photolesions in DNA

The (6-4) photoproduct ((6-4) PP) is one of the main lesions in UV-induced DNA damage. The (6-4) PP and its valence isomer Dewar photoproduct (Dewar PP) can have a great threat of mutation and cancer but gained much less attention to date. In this study, with density functional theory (DFT) and the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) methods, the photoisomerization processes between the (6-4) PP and the Dewar PP in the gas phase, the aqueous solution, and the photolyase have been carefully examined. Noticeably, the solvent effect is treated with the CASPT2//CASSCF/Amber (QM/MM) method. Our calculations show that the conical intersection (CI) points play a crucial role in the photoisomerization reaction between the (6-4) PP and the Dewar PP in the gas and the aqueous solution. The ultrafast internal conversion between the S(2) ((1)ππ*) and the S(0) states via a distorted intersection point is found to be responsible for the formation of the Dewar PP lesion at 313 nm, as observed experimentally. For the reversed isomeric process, two channels involving the "dark" excited states have been identified. In addition to the above passages, in the photolyase, a new electron-injection isomerization process as an efficient way for the photorepair of the Dewar PP is revealed.

The role of XPD in cell apoptosis and viability and its relationship with p53 and cdk2 in hepatoma cells

We investigated the role of XPD in cell apoptosis of hepatoma and its relationship with p53 during the regulation of hepatoma bio-behavior. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of XPD, p53, c-myc, and cdk2. The cell apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed with flow cytometry. Compared with the control cells, XPD-transfected cells displayed a lower viability and higher apoptosis rate. A decreased expression of p53 gene was detected in XPD-transfected cells. In contrast, both c-myc and cdk2 showed increased expressions of mRNAs and proteins in the transfected cells. Our results indicate that XPD may play an important role in cell apoptosis of hepatoma by inducing an over-expression of p53, but suppressing expressions of c-myc and cdk2.

The mechanisms of UV mutagenesis

Ultraviolet (UV) light induces specific mutations in the cellular and skin genome such as UV-signature and triplet mutations, the mechanism of which has been thought to involve translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) over UV-induced DNA base damage. Two models have been proposed: "error-free" bypass of deaminated cytosine-containing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) by DNA polymerase η, and error-prone bypass of CPDs and other UV-induced photolesions by combinations of TLS and replicative DNA polymerases--the latter model has also been known as the two-step model, in which the cooperation of two (or more) DNA polymerases as misinserters and (mis)extenders is assumed. Daylight UV induces a characteristic UV-specific mutation, a UV-signature mutation occurring preferentially at methyl-CpG sites, which is also observed frequently after exposure to either UVB or UVA, but not to UVC. The wavelengths relevant to the mutation are so consistent with the composition of daylight UV that the mutation is called solar-UV signature, highlighting the importance of this type of mutation for creatures with the cytosine-methylated genome that are exposed to the sun in the natural environment. UVA has also been suggested to induce oxidative types of mutation, which would be caused by oxidative DNA damage produced through the oxidative stress after the irradiation. Indeed, UVA produces oxidative DNA damage not only in cells but also in skin, which, however, does not seem sufficient to induce mutations in the normal skin genome. In contrast, it has been demonstrated that UVA exclusively induces the solar-UV signature mutations in vivo through CPD formation.

The StrataTest® human skin model, a consistent in vitro alternative for toxicological testing

Three-dimensional in vitro skin models provide an alternative to animal testing for assessing tissue damage caused by chemical or physical agents and for the identification and characterization of agents formulated to mitigate this damage. The StrataTest® human skin model made with pathogen-free NIKS® keratinocyte progenitors is a fully-stratified tissue containing epidermal and dermal components that possesses barrier function as determined by measurements of electrical impedance. Independent batches of skin tissues responded consistently to known chemical irritants even after refrigerated storage for up to 7 days. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected after exposure of skin tissues to ozone, cigarette smoke or ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Pretreatment with the antioxidant parthenolide-depleted (PD)-Feverfew extract prevented cigarette smoke-induced or UV irradiation-mediated increases in ROS. Interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) secretion increased in a dose dependent manner following UV irradiation but cytokine release was abrogated by pretreatment with a UVA/UVB sunscreen. Similarly, immunohistochemical detection showed increased thymidine dimer formation in UV-irradiated skin tissue that was prevented with sunscreen pretreatment. These results demonstrate that the StrataTest® human skin model is broadly applicable to a wide range of in vitro toxicological assays.

Photoreactivation is the main repair pathway for UV-induced DNA damage in coral planulae

The larvae of most coral species spend some time in the plankton, floating just below the surface and hence exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The high levels of UVR are potentially stressful and damaging to DNA and other cellular components, such as proteins, reducing survivorship. Consequently, mechanisms to either shade (prevent) or repair damage potentially play an important role. In this study, the role of photoreactivation in the survival of coral planulae was examined. Photoreactivation is a light-stimulated response to UV-damaged DNA in which photolyase proteins repair damaged DNA. Photoreactivation rates, as well as the localization of photolyase, were explored in planulae under conditions where photoreactivation was or was not inhibited. The results indicate that photoreactivation is the main DNA repair pathway in coral planulae, repairing UV-induced DNA damage swiftly (K=1.75 h–1 and a half-life of repair of 23 min), with no evidence of any light-independent DNA repair mechanisms, such as nucleotide excision repair (NER), at work. Photolyase mRNA was localized to both the ectoderm and endoderm of the larvae. The amount of cell death in the coral planulae increased significantly when photoreactivation was inhibited, by blocking photoreactivating light. We found that photoreactivation, along with additional UV shielding in the form of five mycosporine-like amino acids, are sufficient for survival in surface tropical waters and that planulae do not accumulate DNA damage despite being exposed to high UVR.

DNA polymerase zeta cooperates with polymerases kappa and iota in translesion DNA synthesis across pyrimidine photodimers in cells from XPV patients

Human cells tolerate UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) by translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), carried out by DNA polymerase eta, the POLH gene product. A deficiency in DNA polymerase eta due to germ-line mutations in POLH causes the hereditary disease xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XPV), which is characterized by sunlight sensitivity and extreme predisposition to sunlight-induced skin cancer. XPV cells are UV hypermutable due to the activity of mutagenic TLS across CPD, which explains the cancer predisposition of the patients. However, the identity of the backup polymerase that carries out this mutagenic TLS was unclear. Here, we show that DNA polymerase zeta cooperates with DNA polymerases kappa and iota to carry out error-prone TLS across a TT CPD. Moreover, DNA polymerases zeta and kappa, but not iota, protect XPV cells against UV cytotoxicity, independently of nucleotide excision repair. This presents an extreme example of benefit-risk balance in the activity of TLS polymerases, which provide protection against UV cytotoxicity at the cost of increased mutagenic load.

Regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen ubiquitination in mammalian cells

After exposure to DNA-damaging agents that block the progress of the replication fork, monoubiquitination of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) mediates the switch from replicative to translesion synthesis DNA polymerases. We show that in human cells, PCNA is monoubiquitinated in response to methyl methanesulfonate and mitomycin C, as well as UV light, albeit with different kinetics, but not in response to bleomycin or camptothecin. Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers are responsible for most of the PCNA ubiquitination events after UV-irradiation. Failure to ubiquitinate PCNA results in substantial sensitivity to UV and methyl methanesulfonate, but not to camptothecin or bleomycin. PCNA ubiquitination depends on Replication Protein A (RPA), but is independent of ATR-mediated checkpoint activation. After UV-irradiation, there is a temporal correlation between the disappearance of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP1 and the presence of PCNA ubiquitination, but this correlation was not found after chemical mutagen treatment. By using cells expressing photolyases, we are able to remove the UV lesions, and we show that PCNA ubiquitination persists for many hours after the damage has been removed. We present a model of translesion synthesis behind the replication fork to explain the persistence of ubiquitinated PCNA.

How DNA lesions are turned into powerful killing structures: insights from UV-induced apoptosis

Mammalian cells treated with ultraviolet (UV) light provide one of the best-known experimental systems for depicting the biological consequences of DNA damage. UV irradiation induces the formation of DNA photoproducts, mainly cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (6-4) pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts [(6-4)PPs], that drastically impairs DNA metabolism, culminating in the induction of cell death by apoptosis. While CPDs are the most important apoptosis-inducing lesions in DNA repair proficient cells, recent data indicates that (6-4)PPs also signals for apoptosis in DNA repair deficient cells. The toxic effects of these unrepaired DNA lesions are commonly associated with transcription blockage, but there is increasing evidence supporting a role for replication blockage as an apoptosis-inducing signal. This is supported by the observations that DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) arise at the sites of stalled replication forks, that these DSBs are potent inducers of apoptosis and that inhibition of S phase progression diminishes the apoptotic response. Reactive oxygen species, generated after exposure of mammalian cells to longer UV wavelengths, may also induce apoptotic responses. In this regard, emphasis is given to the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OxoG), but indirect induced lesions such as lipoperoxide DNA adducts also deserve attention. ATR is the main established sensor molecule for UV-induced DNA damage. However, there is evidence that ATM as well as the MAPK pathway also play a role in the UV response by activating either the death receptor or the mitochondrial damage pathway. Adding more complexity to the subject, cells under stress suffer other types of processes that may result in cell death. Autophagy is one of these processes, with extensive cross-talks with apoptosis. No matter the mechanisms, cell death avoids cells to perpetuate mutations induced by genotoxic lesions. The understanding of such death responses may provide the means for the development of strategies for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Reduced efficiency and increased mutagenicity of translesion DNA synthesis across a TT cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer, but not a TT 6-4 photoproduct, in human cells lacking DNA polymerase eta

Xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XPV) patients carry germ-line mutations in DNA polymerase eta (poleta), a major translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) polymerase, and exhibit severe sunlight sensitivity and high predisposition to skin cancer. Using a quantitative TLS assay system based on gapped plasmids we analyzed TLS across a site-specific TT CPD (thymine-thymine cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer) or TT 6-4 PP (thymine-thymine 6-4 photoproduct) in three pairs of poleta-proficient and deficient human cells. TLS across the TT CPD lesion was reduced by 2.6-4.4-fold in cells lacking poleta, and exhibited a strong 6-17-fold increase in mutation frequency at the TT CPD. All targeted mutations (74%) in poleta-deficient cells were opposite the 3'T of the CPD, however, a significant fraction (23%) were semi-targeted to the nearest nucleotides flanking the CPD. Deletions and insertions were observed at a low frequency, which increased in the absence of poleta, consistent with the formation of double strand breaks due to defective TLS. TLS across TT 6-4 PP was about twofold lower than across CPD, and was marginally reduced in poleta-deficient cells. TLS across TT 6-4 PP was highly mutagenic (27-63%), with multiple mutations types, and no significant difference between cells with or without poleta. Approximately 50% of the mutations formed were semi-targeted, of which 84-93% were due to the insertion of an A opposite the template G 5' to the 6-4 PP. These results, which are consistent with the UV hyper-mutability of XPV cells, highlight the critical role of poleta in error-free TLS across CPD in human cells, and suggest a potential involvement, although minor, of poleta in TLS across 6-4 PP under some conditions.

Resistance to ultraviolet-induced apoptosis in DNA repair deficient growth arrested human fibroblasts is not related to recovery from RNA transcription blockage

The impact of ultraviolet (UV-C) photoproducts on apoptosis induction was investigated in growth arrested (confluent) and proliferating human primary fibroblasts. Confluent fibroblasts were more resistant to UV-C-induced apoptosis than proliferating cells, and this was observed for normal human cells and for cells from patients with Cockayne and trichothiodystrophy syndromes, deficient in transcription coupled repair. This resistance was sustained for at least seven days and was not due to DNA repair efficiency, as the removal of CPDs in the genome was similar under both growth conditions. There was no correlation between reduced apoptosis and RNA synthesis recovery. Following UV-C treatment, proliferating and confluent fibroblasts showed a similar level of RNA synthesis inhibition and recovery from transcription blockage. These results support the hypothesis that the decrease of DNA replication, in growth arrested cells, protects cell from UV-C-induced apoptosis, even in the presence of DNA lesions.

CPDs and 6-4PPs play different roles in UV-induced cell death in normal and NER-deficient human cells

Ultraviolet (UV) light generates two major DNA lesions: cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine-(6-4)-pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs), but the specific participation of these two lesions in the deleterious effects of UV is a longstanding question. In order to discriminate the precise role of unrepaired CPDs and 6-4PPs in UV-induced responses triggering cell death, human fibroblasts were transduced by recombinant adenoviruses carrying the CPD-photolyase or 6-4PP-photolyase cDNAs. Both photolyases were able to prevent UV-induced apoptosis in cells deficient for nucleotide excision repair (NER) to a similar extent, while in NER-proficient cells UV-induced apoptosis was prevented only by CPD-photolyase, with no effects observed when 6-4PPs were removed by the specific photolyase. These results strongly suggest that both CPDs and 6-4PPs contribute to UV-induced apoptosis in NER-deficient cells, while in NER-proficient cells, CPDs are the only lesions responsible for UV-killing, probably due to the rapid repair of 6-4PPs by NER. As a consequence, the difference in skin photosensitivity, including carcinogenesis, of most of the xeroderma pigmentosum patients and of normal people is probably not only a quantitative aspect, but depends on the type of DNA damage induced by sunlight and its rate of repair.

Exploring DNA damage responses in human cells with recombinant adenoviral vectors

Recombinant adenoviral vectors provide efficient means for gene transduction in mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo. We are currently using these vectors to transduce DNA repair genes into repair deficient cells, derived from xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients. XP is an autosomal syndrome characterized by a high frequency of skin tumors, especially in areas exposed to sunlight, and, occasionally, developmental and neurological abnormalities. XP cells are deficient in nucleotide excision repair (affecting one of the seven known XP genes, xpa to xpg) or in DNA replication of DNA lesions (affecting DNA polymerase eta, xpv). The adenovirus approach allows the investigation of different consequences of DNA lesions in cell genomes. Adenoviral vectors carrying several xp and photolyases genes have been constructed and successfully tested in cell culture systems and in vivo directly in the skin of knockout model mice. This review summarizes these recent data and proposes the use of recombinant adenoviruses as tools to investigate the mechanisms that provide protection against DNA damage in human cells, as well as to better understand the higher predisposition of XP patients to cancer.

A model for triplet mutation formation based on error-prone translesional DNA synthesis opposite UV photolesions

A triplet mutation is defined as multiple base substitutions or frameshifts within a three-nucleotide sequence which includes a dipyrimidine sequence. Triplet mutations have recently been identified as a new type of UV-specific mutation, although the mechanism of their formation is unknown. A total of 163 triplet mutations were identified through an extensive search of previously published data on UV-induced mutations, including mutations from skin, skin cancer, and cultured mammalian cells. Seven common patterns of sequence changes were found: Type I, NTC-->TTT; Type IIa, NCC-->PyTT or PyCT (Py, pyrimidine); Type IIb, TCC-->PuTT or PuCT (Pu, purine); Type III, NCC-->NAT or NTA; Type IV, NTT-->AAT; Type Va, NCT-->NTX; and Type Vb, PuCT-->XTT (N and X, independent anonymous bases). Furthermore, it is suggested that the type of UV lesion responsible for each of these triplet mutation classes are (a) pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone photoproducts for Types I, IIb, III, IV and Vb, (b) cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers for Type Va, and (c) Dewar valence isomers for Types IIa and IIb. These estimations are based primarily on results from previous studies using photolyases specific for each type of UV lesion. A model is proposed to explain the formation of each type of triplet mutation, based on error-prone translesional DNA synthesis opposite UV-specific photolesions. The model is largely consistent with the 'A-rule', and predicts error-prone insertions not only opposite photolesions but also opposite the undamaged template base one-nucleotide downstream from the lesions.

Tagging of avidin immobilized beads with biotinylated YAG:Ce3+ nanocrystal phosphor

YAG:Ce3+ nanoparticles 9.5+/-1.2 nm in diameter have been synthesized from aluminium isopropoxide and acetates of yttrium and cerium in 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) by autoclave treatment at 300 degrees C for 2 h. After replacing 1,4-BD by ultrapure water, NH2 groups were introduced on the surface of YAG:Ce3+ nanoparticles by addition of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane then biotinylation with sulfo-NHS-LC-biotin. We demonstrated that avidin immobilized beads are tagged by biotinylated YAG:Ce3+ nanoparticles by the selective avidin-biotin interaction, furnishing a green fluorescent image on excitation with blue light. This result indicates that YAG:Ce3+ nanoparticle phosphors have much potential in biological applications.

Adenovirus mediated transduction of the human DNA polymerase eta cDNA

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an autosomal recessive photosensitive disorder with an extremely high incidence of skin cancers. Seven complementation groups, corresponding to seven proteins involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER), are associated with this syndrome. However, in XP variant patients, the disorder is caused by defects in DNA polymerase eta; this error prone polymerase, encoded by POLH, is involved in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) on DNA templates damaged by ultraviolet light (UV). We constructed a recombinant adenovirus carrying the human POLH cDNA linked to the EGFP reporter gene (AdXPV-EGFP) and infected skin fibroblasts from both XPV and XPA patients. Twenty-four hours after infection, the DNA polymerase eta-EGFP fusion protein was detected by Western blot analysis, demonstrating successful transduction by the adenoviral vector. Protein expression was accompanied by reduction in the high sensitivity of XPV cells to UV, as determined by cell survival and apoptosis-induction assays. Moreover, the pronounced UV-induced inhibition of DNA synthesis in XPV cells and their arrest in S phase were attenuated in AdXPV-EGFP infected cells, confirming that the transduced polymerase was functional. However, over-expression of polymerase eta mediated by AdXPV-EGFP infection did not result in enhancement of cell survival, prevention of apoptosis, or higher rate of nascent DNA strand growth in irradiated XPA cells. These results suggest that TLS by DNA polymerase eta is not a limiting factor for recovery from cellular responses induced by UV in excision-repair deficient fibroblasts.

Translesion synthesis in mammalian cells

DNA damage blocks the progression of the replication fork. In order to circumvent the damaged bases, cells employ specialized low stringency DNA polymerases, which are able to carry out translesion synthesis (TLS) past different types of damage. The five polymerases used in TLS in human cells have different substrate specificities, enabling them to deal with many different types of damaged bases. PCNA plays a central role in recruiting the TLS polymerases and effecting the polymerase switch from replicative to TLS polymerase. When the fork is blocked PCNA gets ubiquitinated. This increases its affinity for the TLS polymerases, which all have novel ubiquitin-binding motifs, thereby facilitating their engagement at the stalled fork to effect TLS.

Differential effects of NF-kappaB on apoptosis induced by DNA-damaging agents: the type of DNA damage determines the final outcome

The transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) is generally regarded as an antiapoptotic factor. Accordingly, NF-kappaB activation inhibits death ligand-induced apoptosis. In contrast, ultraviolet light B (UVB)-induced apoptosis is not inhibited but even enhanced upon NF-kappaB activation by interleukin-1 (IL-1). This study was performed to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying this switch of NF-kappaB. Enhancement of UVB-induced apoptosis was always associated with increased release of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which was dependent on NF-kappaB activation. The same was observed when UVA and cisplatin were used, which like UVB induce base modifications. In contrast, apoptosis caused by DNA strand breaks was not enhanced by IL-1, indicating that the type of DNA damage is critical for switching the effect of NF-kappaB on apoptosis. Surprisingly, activated NF-kappaB induced TNF-alpha mRNA expression in the presence of all DNA damage-inducing agents. However, in the presence of DNA strand breaks, there was no release of the TNF-alpha protein, which is so crucial for enhancing apoptosis. Together, this indicates that induction of DNA damage may have a significant impact on biological effects but it is the type of DNA damage that determines the final outcome. This may have implications for the role of NF-kappaB in carcinogenesis and for the application of NF-kappaB inhibitors in anticancer therapy.