Contributions of the RAD51 N-terminal domain to BRCA2-RAD51 interaction

The human Shu complex promotes RAD51 activity by modulating RPA dynamics on ssDNA

Templated DNA repair that occurs during homologous recombination and replication stress relies on RAD51. RAD51 activity is positively regulated by BRCA2 and the RAD51 paralogs. The Shu complex is a RAD51 paralog-containing complex consisting of SWSAP1 and SWS1. We demonstrate that SWSAP1-SWS1 binds RAD51, maintains RAD51 filament stability, and enables strand exchange. Using single molecule confocal fluorescence microscopy combined with optical tweezers, we show that SWSAP1-SWS1 decorates RAD51 filaments proficient for homologous recombination. We also find SWSAP1-SWS1 enhances RPA diffusion on ssDNA. Importantly, we show human sgSWSAP1 and sgSWS1 knockout cells are sensitive to pharmacological inhibition of PARP and APE1. Lastly, we identify cancer variants in SWSAP1 that alter SWS1 complex formation. Together, we show that SWSAP1-SWS1 stimulates RAD51-dependent high-fidelity repair and may be an important new cancer therapeutic target.

Isolation and Characterization of Monomeric Human RAD51: A Novel Tool for Investigating Homologous Recombination in Cancer

DNA repair protein RAD51 is a key player in the homologous recombination pathway. Upon DNA damage, RAD51 is transported into the nucleus by BRCA2, where it can repair DNA double-strand breaks. Due to the structural complexity and dynamics, researchers have not yet clarified the mechanistic details of every step of RAD51 recruitment and DNA repair. RAD51 possesses an intrinsic tendency to form oligomeric structures, which make it challenging to conduct biochemical and biophysical investigations. Here, for the first time, we report on the isolation and characterization of a human monomeric RAD51 recombinant form, obtained through a double mutation, which preserves the protein's integrity and functionality. We investigated different buffers to identify the most suitable condition needed to definitively stabilize the monomer. The monomer of human RAD51 provides the community with a unique biological tool for investigating RAD51-mediated homologous recombination, and paves the way for more reliable structural, mechanistic, and drug discovery studies.

Human RAD52 double-ring remodels replication forks restricting fork reversal

Human RAD52 1,2 is a multifunctional DNA repair protein involved in several cellular events that support genome stability including protection of stalled DNA replication forks from excessive degradation 3-7 . In its gatekeeper role, RAD52 binds to and stabilizes stalled replication forks during replication stress protecting them from reversal by SMARCAL1 5 . The structural and molecular mechanism of the RAD52-mediated fork protection remains elusive. Here, using P1 nuclease sensitivity, biochemical and single-molecule analyses we show that RAD52 dynamically remodels replication forks through its strand exchange activity. The presence of the ssDNA binding protein RPA at the fork modulates the kinetics of the strand exchange without impeding the reaction outcome. Mass photometry and single-particle cryo-electron microscopy show that the replication fork promotes a unique nucleoprotein structure containing head-to-head arrangement of two undecameric RAD52 rings with an extended positively charged surface that accommodates all three arms of the replication fork. We propose that the formation and continuity of this surface is important for the strand exchange reaction and for competition with SMARCAL1.

Natural variation of codon repeats in COLD11 endows rice with chilling resilience

Abnormal temperature caused by global climate change threatens the rice production. Defense signaling network for chilling has been uncovered in plants. However, less is known about repairing DNA damage produced from overwhelmed defense and its evolution during domestication. Here, we genetically identified a major QTL, COLD11, using the data-merging genome-wide association study based on an algorithm combining polarized data from two subspecies, indica and japonica, into one system. Rice loss-of-function mutations of COLD11 caused reduced chilling tolerance. Genome evolution analysis of representative rice germplasms suggested that numbers of GCG sequence repeats in the first exon of COLD11 were subjected to strong domestication selection during the northern expansion of rice planting. The repeat numbers affected the biochemical activity of DNA repair protein COLD11/RAD51A1 in renovating DNA damage under chilling stress. Our findings highlight a potential way to finely manipulate key genes in rice genome and effectively improve chilling tolerance through molecular designing.

Redox regulation of RAD51 Cys319 and homologous recombination by peroxiredoxin 1

RAD51 is a critical recombinase that functions in concert with auxiliary mediator proteins to direct the homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair pathway. We show that Cys319 RAD51 possesses nucleophilic characteristics and is important for irradiation-induced RAD51 foci formation and resistance to inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). We have previously identified that cysteine (Cys) oxidation of proteins can be important for activity and modulated via binding to peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1). PRDX1 reduces peroxides and coordinates the signaling actions of protein binding partners. Loss of PRDX1 inhibits irradiation-induced RAD51 foci formation and represses HR DNA repair. PRDX1-deficient human breast cancer cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts display disrupted RAD51 foci formation and decreased HR, resulting in increased DNA damage and sensitization of cells to irradiation. Following irradiation cells deficient in PRDX1 had increased incorporation of the sulfenylation probe DAz-2 in RAD51 Cys319, a functionally-significant, thiol that PRDX1 is critical for maintaining in a reduced state. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of dT-DNA bound to a non-oxidized RAD51 protein showed tight binding throughout the simulation, while dT-DNA dissociated from an oxidized Cys319 RAD51 filament. These novel data establish RAD51 Cys319 as a functionally-significant site for the redox regulation of HR and cellular responses to IR.

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A functionally-significant Cys319 was identified in RAD51 that possesses nucleophilic characteristics.

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RAD51 Cys319 plays a central role in RAD51-mediated repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSB).

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Loss of peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) impairs DNA DSB repair by homologous recombination and results in DNA damage.

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PRDX1 is critical for maintaining RAD51 Cys319 in a reduced state.

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Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations suggest ssDNA to dissociate from sulfenylated and not reduced RAD51 Cys319.

BRCA1/2 variants of unknown significance in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome: looking for the hidden meaning

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome is caused by germline mutations in BRCA1/2 genes. These genes are very large and their mutations are heterogeneous and scattered throughout the coding sequence. In addition to the above-mentioned mutations, variants of uncertain/unknown significance (VUSs) have been identified in BRCA genes, which make more difficult the clinical management of the patient and risk assessment. In the last decades, several laboratories have developed different databases that contain more than 2000 variants for the two genes and integrated strategies which include multifactorial prediction models based on direct and indirect genetic evidence, to classify the VUS and attribute them a clinical significance associated with a deleterious, high-low or neutral risk. This review provides a comprehensive overview of literature studies concerning the VUSs, in order to assess their impact on the population and provide new insight for the appropriate patient management in clinical practice.

Improved RAD51 binders through motif shuffling based on the modularity of BRC repeats

Exchanges of protein sequence modules support leaps in function unavailable through point mutations during evolution. Here we study the role of the two RAD51-interacting modules within the eight binding BRC repeats of BRCA2. We created 64 chimeric repeats by shuffling these modules and measured their binding to RAD51. We found that certain shuffled module combinations were stronger binders than any of the module combinations in the natural repeats. Surprisingly, the contribution from the two modules was poorly correlated with affinities of natural repeats, with a weak BRC8 repeat containing the most effective N-terminal module. The binding of the strongest chimera, BRC8-2, to RAD51 was improved by -2.4 kCal/mol compared to the strongest natural repeat, BRC4. A crystal structure of RAD51:BRC8-2 complex shows an improved interface fit and an extended β-hairpin in this repeat. BRC8-2 was shown to function in human cells, preventing the formation of nuclear RAD51 foci after ionizing radiation.

Inhibiting homologous recombination by targeting RAD51 protein

Homologous recombination (HR) is involved in repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), the most harmful for the cell. Regulating HR is essential for maintaining genomic stability. In many forms of cancer, overactivation of HR increases tumor resistance to DNA-damaging treatments. RAD51, HR's core protein, is very often over-expressed in these cancers and plays a critical role in cancer cell development and survival. Targeting RAD51 directly to reduce its activity and its expression is therefore one strategy to sensitize and overcome resistance cancer cells to existing DNA-damaging therapies which remains the limiting factor for the success of targeted therapy. This review describes the structure and biological roles of RAD51, summarizes the different targeted sites of RAD51 and its inhibitory compounds discovered and described in the last decade.

Identification and analysis of genes associated with epithelial ovarian cancer by integrated bioinformatics methods

Background

Though considerable efforts have been made to improve the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the prognosis of patients has remained poor. Identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in EOC progression and exploiting them as novel biomarkers or therapeutic targets is of great value.

Methods

Overlapping DEGs were screened out from three independent gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets and were subjected to Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. The protein-protein interactions (PPI) network of DEGs was constructed based on the STRING database. The expression of hub genes was validated in GEPIA and GEO. The relationship of hub genes expression with tumor stage and overall survival and progression-free survival of EOC patients was investigated using the cancer genome atlas data.

Results

A total of 306 DEGs were identified, including 265 up-regulated and 41 down-regulated. Through PPI network analysis, the top 20 genes were screened out, among which 4 hub genes, which were not researched in depth so far, were selected after literature retrieval, including CDC45, CDCA5, KIF4A, ESPL1. The four genes were up-regulated in EOC tissues compared with normal tissues, but their expression decreased gradually with the continuous progression of EOC. Survival curves illustrated that patients with a lower level of CDCA5 and ESPL1 had better overall survival and progression-free survival statistically.

Conclusion

Two hub genes, CDCA5 and ESPL1, identified as probably playing tumor-promotive roles, have great potential to be utilized as novel therapeutic targets for EOC treatment.

RADX condenses single-stranded DNA to antagonize RAD51 loading

RADX is a mammalian single-stranded DNA-binding protein that stabilizes telomeres and stalled replication forks. Cellular biology studies have shown that the balance between RADX and Replication Protein A (RPA) is critical for DNA replication integrity. RADX is also a negative regulator of RAD51-mediated homologous recombination at stalled forks. However, the mechanism of RADX acting on DNA and its interactions with RPA and RAD51 are enigmatic. Using single-molecule imaging of the key proteins in vitro, we reveal that RADX condenses ssDNA filaments, even when the ssDNA is coated with RPA at physiological protein ratios. RADX compacts RPA-coated ssDNA filaments via higher-order assemblies that can capture ssDNA in trans. Furthermore, RADX blocks RPA displacement by RAD51 and prevents RAD51 loading on ssDNA. Our results indicate that RADX is an ssDNA condensation protein that inhibits RAD51 filament formation and may antagonize other ssDNA-binding proteins on RPA-coated ssDNA.

Design of BRC analogous peptides based on the complex BRC8-RAD51 and the preliminary study on the peptide structures

BRCA2 is an important tumor suppressor gene that plays a critical role in preserving the stability of cellular genetic information, participating in DNA repair by engaging in binding interactions with RAD51 proteins. However, the lack of structural data on BRCA2 and RAD51 makes the study of their interaction mechanism still a great challenge. We characterize the structure of the BRC8-RAD51 complex using ZDOCK protein docking software and identify the potential non-conserved active site of BRC8 via virtual alanine scanning, utilizing the obtained results to synthesize BRC8, its six analogous peptides (BRC8-1 to BRC8-6), and critical peptide fragment of RAD51 (RAD51(231-260)) by Fmoc solid-phase synthesis. The analogous peptides are found to exhibit a secondary structure significantly different from that of BRC8 by circular dichroism spectroscopy, which indicates that mutation sites determined by computer-aided simulation correspond to key amino acid residues substantially affecting polypeptide structure. On the other hand, the secondary structure of RAD51(231-260) was also considerably influenced by its interaction with BRC8 and analogs, e.g., the fraction of the α-helical structure in RAD51(231-260) increased to 23.6, 15.1, and 13.5% upon interaction with BRC8-1, BRC8-3, and BRC8-6, respectively. The results show that the properties of C-terminal amino acid residues significantly influence peptide-peptide interactions, in agreement with the results of virtual alanine scanning. Therefore, computer-aided simulation was confirmed to be a technique that is useful for narrowing down the range of sites responsible for interactions between peptides or proteins, and provides new inspirations for the design of peptides with strong interactions.

Structural basis of homologous recombination

Homologous recombination (HR) is a pathway to faithfully repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). At the core of this pathway is a DNA recombinase, which, as a nucleoprotein filament on ssDNA, pairs with homologous DNA as a template to repair the damaged site. In eukaryotes Rad51 is the recombinase capable of carrying out essential steps including strand invasion, homology search on the sister chromatid and strand exchange. Importantly, a tightly regulated process involving many protein factors has evolved to ensure proper localisation of this DNA repair machinery and its correct timing within the cell cycle. Dysregulation of any of the proteins involved can result in unchecked DNA damage, leading to uncontrolled cell division and cancer. Indeed, many are tumour suppressors and are key targets in the development of new cancer therapies. Over the past 40 years, our structural and mechanistic understanding of homologous recombination has steadily increased with notable recent advancements due to the advances in single particle cryo electron microscopy. These have resulted in higher resolution structural models of the signalling proteins ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated), and ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein), along with various structures of Rad51. However, structural information of the other major players involved, such as BRCA1 (breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein) and BRCA2 (breast cancer type 2 susceptibility protein), has been limited to crystal structures of isolated domains and low-resolution electron microscopy reconstructions of the full-length proteins. Here we summarise the current structural understanding of homologous recombination, focusing on key proteins in recruitment and signalling events as well as the mediators for the Rad51 recombinase.

A novel UCHL3 inhibitor, perifosine, enhances PARP inhibitor cytotoxicity through inhibition of homologous recombination-mediated DNA double strand break repair

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment remains a great challenge for clinical practice and novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. UCHL3 is a deubiquitinase that is overexpressed in TNBC and correlates with poor prognosis. UCHL3 deubiquitinates RAD51 thereby promoting the recruitment of RAD51 to DNA damage sites and augmenting DNA repair. Therefore, UCHL3 overexpression can render cancer cells resistant to DNA damage inducing chemo and radiotherapy, and targeting UCHL3 can sensitize TNBC to radiation and chemotherapy. However, small molecule inhibitors of UCHL3 are yet to be identified. Here we report that perifosine, a previously reported Akt inhibitor, can inhibit UCHL3 in vitro and in vivo. We found low dose (50 nM) perifosine inhibited UCHL3 deubiquitination activity without affecting Akt activity. Furthermore, perifosine enhanced Olaparib-induced growth inhibition in TNBC cells. Mechanistically, perifosine induced RAD51 ubiquitination and blocked the RAD51-BRCA2 interaction, which in turn decreased ionizing radiation-induced foci (IRIF) of Rad51 and, thereby, homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA double strand break repair. In addition, combination of perifosine and Olaparib showed synergistic antitumor activity in vivo in TNBC xenograft model. Thus, our present study provides a novel therapeutic approach to optimize PARP inhibitor treatment efficiency.

Structural insights into the anti-cancer activity of quercetin on G-tetrad, mixed G-tetrad, and G-quadruplex DNA using quantum chemical and molecular dynamics simulations

Human telomerase referred as 'terminal transferase' is a nucleoprotein enzyme which inhibits the disintegration of telomere length and act as a drug target for the anticancer therapy. The tandem repeating structure of telomere sequence forms the guanine-rich quadruplex structures that stabilize stacked tetrads. In our present work, we have investigated the interaction of quercetin with DNA tetrads using DFT. Geometrical analysis revealed that the influence of quercetin drug induces the structural changes into the DNA tetrads. Among DNA tetrads, the quercetin stacked with GCGC tetrad has the highest interaction energy of -88.08 kcal/mol. The binding mode and the structural stability are verified by the absorption spectroscopy method. The longer wavelength was found at 380 nm and it exhibits bathochromic shift. The findings help us to understand the binding nature of quercetin drug with DNA tetrads and it also inhibits the telomerase activity. Further, the quercetin drug interacted with G-quadruplex DNA by using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies for 100 ns simulation at different temperatures and different pH levels (T = 298 K, 320 K and pH = 7.4, 5.4). The structural stability of the quercetin with G-quadruplex structure is confirmed by RMSD. For the acidic condition (pH = 5.4), the binding affinity is higher toward G-quadruplex DNA, this result resembles that the quercetin drug is well interacted with G-quadruplex DNA at acidic condition (pH = 7.4) than the neutral condition. The obtained results show that quercetin drug stabilizes the G-quadruplex DNA, which regulates telomerase enzyme and it potentially acts as a novel anti-cancer agent.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Variation in RAD51 details a hub of functions: opportunities to advance cancer diagnosis and therapy

Loss of genome stability is one of the hallmarks of the enabling characteristics of cancer development. Homologous recombination is a DNA repair process that often breaks down as a prelude to developing cancer. Conversely, homologous recombination can be the Achilles’ heel in common anti-cancer therapies, which are effective by inducing irreparable DNA damage. Here, we review recent structural and functional studies of RAD51, the protein that catalyzes the defining step of homologous recombination: homology recognition and DNA strand exchange. Specific mutations can be linked to structural changes and known essential functions. Additional RAD51 interactions and functions may be revealed. The identification of viable mutations in this essential protein may help define the range of activity and interactions needed. All of this information provides opportunities to fine-tune existing therapies based on homologous recombination status, guide diagnosis, and hopefully develop new clinical tools.

Variation in RAD51 details a hub of functions: opportunities to advance cancer diagnosis and therapy

Loss of genome stability is one of the hallmarks of the enabling characteristics of cancer development. Homologous recombination is a DNA repair process that often breaks down as a prelude to developing cancer. Conversely, homologous recombination can be the Achilles' heel in common anti-cancer therapies, which are effective by inducing irreparable DNA damage. Here, we review recent structural and functional studies of RAD51, the protein that catalyzes the defining step of homologous recombination: homology recognition and DNA strand exchange. Specific mutations can be linked to structural changes and known essential functions. Additional RAD51 interactions and functions may be revealed. The identification of viable mutations in this essential protein may help define the range of activity and interactions needed. All of this information provides opportunities to fine-tune existing therapies based on homologous recombination status, guide diagnosis, and hopefully develop new clinical tools.

Determinants of human glucokinase activation and implications for small molecule allosteric control

Glucokinase (GK) is an enzyme that catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of glucose to form glucose-6-phosphate, and it is a tightly regulated checkpoint in glucose homeostasis. GK is known to undergo substantial conformational changes upon glucose binding. The monomeric enzyme possesses a highly exotic kinetic activity profile with an unusual sigmoidal dependence on glucose concentration. In this interdisciplinary study, which draws on small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) integrated with 250 ns of atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experimental glucose binding thermodynamics, we reveal that the critical regulation of this glucose sensor is due to a solvent controlled "switch". We demonstrate that the "solvent switch" is driven by specific protein structural dynamics, which leads to an enzyme structure that has a much more favorable solvation energy than most of the protein ensemble. These findings uncover the physical workings of an agile and flexible protein scaffold, which derives its long-range allosteric control through specific regions with favorable solvation energy. The physiological framework presented herein provides insights that have direct implications for the design of small molecule GK activators as anti-diabetes therapeutics as well as for understanding how proteins can be designed to have built-in regulatory functions via solvation energy dynamics.

Integrating Experimental and In Silico HTS in the Discovery of Inhibitors of Protein-Nucleic Acid Interactions

Discovery of novel tool compounds and drug leads against a range of unorthodox protein targets has pushed both experimental screening methodologies as well as the field of structure-based design to the limit in recent years. Increasingly, it has been recognized that some of the most desirable targets for the development of small-molecule effectors are actually protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions. There are numerous nontrivial challenges to pursuing small-molecule lead compounds directed toward PPIs and PNIs: relatively shallow cavities, large surface areas that are natively complexed to macromolecules, complex patterns of interstitial waters, a paucity of "hot spots," large conformational changes upon ligand binding, etc. Although there have been some notable successes targeting PPIs in the last decade, there has been distinctly less success in the realm of targeting PNIs. This chapter focuses on an approach, successfully applied by our group to address the challenge of gaining traction on the PPI target RAD52, which is a protein that binds both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA, and is an anticancer target for certain types of cancer. There are many approaches to tackling the difficult problems of finding effective small molecules that disrupt PPIs and PNIs, but the methods presented here offer a series of elegant solutions, which integrate experimental HTS, biophysical methods, docking, and molecular dynamics in a powerful way. Additionally, the structural knowledge gained from these studies provides a means for rationally understanding what features lead to ligand affinity in these fascinating and highly unorthodox pockets.

Expression, Purification, and Biochemical Evaluation of Human RAD51 Protein

The RAD51 DNA strand exchange protein plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the human genome. It promotes homology-directed DNA repair by exchanging strands between the damaged and the intact DNA molecules. It also plays an important role in stabilizing distressed DNA replication forks. When overexpressed or misregulated, however, RAD51 contributes to "rogue," genome destabilizing events that can lead to cancer, cell death, and to acquisition of chemotherapy resistance by cancerous cells. Human RAD51 is, therefore, an important and highly coveted anticancer drug target. Biochemical, biophysical, and structural studies of the human RAD51 and establishment of its structure-activity relationship require purification of large quantities of protein. In this chapter we describe a robust method for expression and purification of human RAD51 and the methods for assessing its activity based on the single-strand DNA-binding stoichiometry and its capacity to carry out the DNA strand exchange reaction.

Observation and Analysis of RAD51 Nucleation Dynamics at Single-Monomer Resolution

Human RAD51 promotes accurate DNA repair by homologous recombination and is involved in protection and repair of damaged DNA replication forks. The active species of RAD51 and related recombinases in all organisms is a nucleoprotein filament assembled on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The formation of a nucleoprotein filament competent for the recombination reaction, or for DNA replication support, is a delicate and strictly regulated process, which occurs through filament nucleation followed by filament extension. The rates of these two phases of filament formation define the capacity of RAD51 to compete with the ssDNA-binding protein RPA, as well as the lengths of the resulting filament segments. Single-molecule approaches can provide a wealth of quantitative information on the kinetics of RAD51 nucleoprotein filament assembly, internal dynamics, and disassembly. In this chapter, we describe how to set up a single-molecule total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy experiment to monitor the initial steps of RAD51 nucleoprotein filament formation in real-time and at single-monomer resolution. This approach is based on the unique, stretched-ssDNA conformation within the recombinase nucleoprotein filament and follows the efficiency of Förster resonance energy transfer (E_FRET) between two DNA-conjugated fluorophores. We will discuss the practical aspects of the experimental setup, extraction of the FRET trajectories, and how to analyze and interpret the data to obtain information on RAD51 nucleation kinetics, the mechanism of nucleation, and the oligomeric species involved in filament formation.

Small-Molecule Inhibitors Targeting DNA Repair and DNA Repair Deficiency in Research and Cancer Therapy

To maintain stable genomes and to avoid cancer and aging, cells need to repair a multitude of deleterious DNA lesions, which arise constantly in every cell. Processes that support genome integrity in normal cells, however, allow cancer cells to develop resistance to radiation and DNA-damaging chemotherapeutics. Chemical inhibition of the key DNA repair proteins and pharmacologically induced synthetic lethality have become instrumental in both dissecting the complex DNA repair networks and as promising anticancer agents. The difficulty in capitalizing on synthetically lethal interactions in cancer cells is that many potential targets do not possess well-defined small-molecule binding determinates. In this review, we discuss several successful campaigns to identify and leverage small-molecule inhibitors of the DNA repair proteins, from PARP1, a paradigm case for clinically successful small-molecule inhibitors, to coveted new targets, such as RAD51 recombinase, RAD52 DNA repair protein, MRE11 nuclease, and WRN DNA helicase.

Potential Strategies to Target Protein-Protein Interactions in the DNA Damage Response and Repair Pathways

This review article discusses some insights about generating novel mechanistic inhibitors of the DNA damage response and repair (DDR) pathways by focusing on protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of the key DDR components. General requirements for PPI strategies, such as selecting the target PPI site on the basis of its functionality, are discussed first. Next, on the basis of functional rationale and biochemical feasibility to identify a PPI inhibitor, 26 PPIs in DDR pathways (BER, MMR, NER, NHEJ, HR, TLS, and ICL repair) are specifically discussed for inhibitor discovery to benefit cancer therapies using a DNA-damaging agent.

Towards mastering CRISPR-induced gene knock-in in plants: Survey of key features and focus on the model Physcomitrella patens

Beyond its predominant role in human and animal therapy, the CRISPR-Cas9 system has also become an essential tool for plant research and plant breeding. Agronomic applications rely on the mastery of gene inactivation and gene modification. However, if the knock-out of genes by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ)-mediated repair of the targeted double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by the CRISPR-Cas9 system is rather well mastered, the knock-in of genes by homology-driven repair or end-joining remains difficult to perform efficiently in higher plants. In this review, we describe the different approaches that can be tested to improve the efficiency of CRISPR-induced gene modification in plants, which include the use of optimal transformation and regeneration protocols, the design of appropriate guide RNAs and donor templates and the choice of nucleases and means of delivery. We also present what can be done to orient DNA repair pathways in the target cells, and we show how the moss Physcomitrella patens can be used as a model plant to better understand what DNA repair mechanisms are involved, and how this knowledge could eventually be used to define more performant strategies of CRISPR-induced gene knock-in.

A phosphorylation-deubiquitination cascade regulates the BRCA2-RAD51 axis in homologous recombination

Homologous recombination (HR) is one of the major DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways in mammalian cells. Defects in HR trigger genomic instability and result in cancer predisposition. The defining step of HR is homologous strand exchange directed by the protein RAD51, which is recruited to DSBs by BRCA2. However, the regulation of the BRCA2-RAD51 axis remains unclear. Here we report that ubiquitination of RAD51 hinders RAD51-BRCA2 interaction, while deubiquitination of RAD51 facilitates RAD51-BRCA2 binding and RAD51 recruitment and thus is critical for proper HR. Mechanistically, in response to DNA damage, the deubiquitinase UCHL3 is phosphorylated and activated by ATM. UCHL3, in turn, deubiquitinates RAD51 and promotes the binding between RAD51 and BRCA2. Overexpression of UCHL3 renders breast cancer cells resistant to radiation and chemotherapy, while depletion of UCHL3 sensitizes cells to these treatments, suggesting a determinant role of UCHL3 in cancer therapy. Overall, we identify UCHL3 as a novel regulator of DNA repair and reveal a model in which a phosphorylation-deubiquitination cascade dynamically regulates the BRCA2-RAD51 pathway.

Venkitaraman A, Skidmore J, Abell C, Hyvönen M. Engineering Archeal Surrogate Systems for the Development of Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitors against Human RAD51

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are increasingly important targets for drug discovery. Efficient fragment-based drug discovery approaches to tackle PPIs are often stymied by difficulties in the production of stable, unliganded target proteins. Here, we report an approach that exploits protein engineering to "humanise" thermophilic archeal surrogate proteins as targets for small-molecule inhibitor discovery and to exemplify this approach in the development of inhibitors against the PPI between the recombinase RAD51 and tumour suppressor BRCA2. As human RAD51 has proved impossible to produce in a form that is compatible with the requirements of fragment-based drug discovery, we have developed a surrogate protein system using RadA from Pyrococcus furiosus. Using a monomerised RadA as our starting point, we have adopted two parallel and mutually instructive approaches to mimic the human enzyme: firstly by mutating RadA to increase sequence identity with RAD51 in the BRC repeat binding sites, and secondly by generating a chimeric archaeal human protein. Both approaches generate proteins that interact with a fourth BRC repeat with affinity and stoichiometry comparable to human RAD51. Stepwise humanisation has also allowed us to elucidate the determinants of RAD51 binding to BRC repeats and the contributions of key interacting residues to this interaction. These surrogate proteins have enabled the development of biochemical and biophysical assays in our ongoing fragment-based small-molecule inhibitor programme and they have allowed us to determine hundreds of liganded structures in support of our structure-guided design process, demonstrating the feasibility and advantages of using archeal surrogates to overcome difficulties in handling human proteins.

Tyrosine phosphorylation stimulates activity of human RAD51 recombinase through altered nucleoprotein filament dynamics

The DNA strand exchange protein RAD51 facilitates the central step in homologous recombination, a process fundamentally important for accurate repair of damaged chromosomes, restart of collapsed replication forks, and telomere maintenance. The active form of RAD51 is a nucleoprotein filament that assembles on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) at the sites of DNA damage. The c-Abl tyrosine kinase and its oncogenic counterpart BCR-ABL fusion kinase phosphorylate human RAD51 on tyrosine residues 54 and 315. We combined biochemical reconstitutions of the DNA strand exchange reactions with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to determine how the two phosphorylation events affect the biochemical activities of human RAD51 and properties of the RAD51 nucleoprotein filament. By mimicking RAD51 tyrosine phosphorylation with a nonnatural amino acid, p-carboxymethyl-l-phenylalanine (pCMF), we demonstrated that Y54 phosphorylation enhances the RAD51 recombinase activity by at least two different mechanisms, modifies the RAD51 nucleoprotein filament formation, and allows RAD51 to compete efficiently with ssDNA binding protein RPA. In contrast, Y315 phosphorylation has little effect on the RAD51 activities. Based on our work and previous cellular studies, we propose a mechanism underlying RAD51 activation by c-Abl/BCR-ABL kinases.

High-resolution structure of the presynaptic RAD51 filament on single-stranded DNA by electron cryo-microscopy

Homologous DNA recombination (HR) by the RAD51 recombinase enables error-free DNA break repair. To execute HR, RAD51 first forms a presynaptic filament on single-stranded (ss) DNA, which catalyses pairing with homologous double-stranded (ds) DNA. Here, we report a structure for the presynaptic human RAD51 filament at 3.5–5.0Å resolution using electron cryo-microscopy. RAD51 encases ssDNA in a helical filament of 103Å pitch, comprising 6.4 protomers per turn, with a rise of 16.1Å and a twist of 56.2°. Inter-protomer distance correlates with rotation of an α-helical region in the core catalytic domain that is juxtaposed to ssDNA, suggesting how the RAD51–DNA interaction modulates protomer spacing and filament pitch. We map Fanconi anaemia-like disease-associated RAD51 mutations, clarifying potential phenotypes. We predict binding sites on the presynaptic filament for two modules present in each BRC repeat of the BRCA2 tumour suppressor, a critical HR mediator. Structural modelling suggests that changes in filament pitch mask or expose one binding site with filament-inhibitory potential, rationalizing the paradoxical ability of the BRC repeats to either stabilize or inhibit filament formation at different steps during HR. Collectively, our findings provide fresh insight into the structural mechanism of HR and its dysregulation in human disease.

Dynamic binding of replication protein a is required for DNA repair

Replication protein A (RPA), the major eukaryotic single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein, is essential for replication, repair and recombination. High-affinity ssDNA-binding by RPA depends on two DNA binding domains in the large subunit of RPA. Mutation of the evolutionarily conserved aromatic residues in these two domains results in a separation-of-function phenotype: aromatic residue mutants support DNA replication but are defective in DNA repair. We used biochemical and single-molecule analyses, and Brownian Dynamics simulations to determine the molecular basis of this phenotype. Our studies demonstrated that RPA binds to ssDNA in at least two modes characterized by different dissociation kinetics. We also showed that the aromatic residues contribute to the formation of the longer-lived state, are required for stable binding to short ssDNA regions and are needed for RPA melting of partially duplex DNA structures. We conclude that stable binding and/or the melting of secondary DNA structures by RPA is required for DNA repair, including RAD51 mediated DNA strand exchange, but is dispensable for DNA replication. It is likely that the binding modes are in equilibrium and reflect dynamics in the RPA-DNA complex. This suggests that dynamic binding of RPA to DNA is necessary for different cellular functions.

The Polycomb Group Protein EZH2 Impairs DNA Damage Repair Gene Expression in Human Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign, smooth muscle tumors that occur in approximately 70%-80% of women by age 50 yr. The cellular and molecular mechanism(s) by which uterine fibroids (UFs) develop are not fully understood. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that several genetic abnormalities, including deletions, rearrangements, translocations, as well as mutations, have been found in UFs. These genetic anomalies suggest that low DNA damage repair capacity may be involved in UF formation. The objective of this study was to determine whether expression levels of DNA damage repair-related genes were altered, and how they were regulated in the pathogenesis of UFs. Expression levels of DNA repair-related genes RAD51 and BRCA1 were deregulated in fibroid tissues as compared to adjacent myometrial tissues. Expression levels of chromatin protein enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) were higher in a subset of fibroids as compared to adjacent myometrial tissues by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Treatment with an inhibitor of EZH2 markedly increased expression levels of RAD51 and BRCA1 in fibroid cells and inhibited cell proliferation paired with cell cycle arrest. Restoring the expression of RAD51 and BRCA1 by treatment with EZH2 inhibitor was dependent on reducing the enrichment of trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 27 epigenetic mark in their promoter regions. This study reveals the important role of EZH2-regulated DNA damage-repair genes via histone methylation in fibroid biology, and may provide novel therapeutic targets for the medical treatment of women with symptomatic UFs.

FBH1 influences DNA replication fork stability and homologous recombination through ubiquitylation of RAD51

Unscheduled homologous recombination (HR) can lead to genomic instability, which greatly increases the threat of neoplastic transformation in humans. The F-box DNA helicase 1 (FBH1) is a 3'-5' DNA helicase with a putative function as a negative regulator of HR. It is the only known DNA helicase to contain an F-box, suggesting that one of its functions is to act as a ubiquitin ligase as part of an SCF (SKP1, CUL1 and F-box) complex. Here we report that the central player in HR, RAD51, is ubiquitylated by the SCF(FBH1) complex. Expression of an ubiquitylation-resistant form of RAD51 in human cells leads to hyperrecombination, as well as several phenotypes indicative of an altered response to DNA replication stress. These effects are likely to be mediated by the enhanced nuclear matrix association of the ubiquitylation-resistant RAD51. These data are consistent with FBH1 acting as a negative regulator of RAD51 function in human cells.

Horizontal gene transfer and functional diversification of plant cell wall degrading polygalacturonases: Key events in the evolution of herbivory in beetles

Plant cell walls are the largest reservoir of organic carbon on earth. To breach and utilize this carbohydrate-rich protective barrier, microbes secrete plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) targeting pectin, cellulose and hemicelluloses. There is a growing body of evidence that genomes of some herbivorous insects also encode PCWDEs, raising questions about their evolutionary origins and functions. Among herbivorous beetles, pectin-degrading polygalacturonases (PGs) are found in the diverse superfamilies Chrysomeloidea (leaf beetles, long-horn beetles) and Curculionoidea (weevils). Here our aim was to test whether these arose from a common ancestor of beetles or via horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and whether PGs kept their ancestral function in degrading pectin or evolved novel functions. Transcriptome data derived from 10 beetle species were screened for PG-encoding sequences and used for phylogenetic comparisons with their bacterial, fungal and plant counterparts. These analyses revealed a large family of PG-encoding genes of Chrysomeloidea and Curculionoidea sharing a common ancestor, most similar to PG genes of ascomycete fungi. In addition, 50 PGs from beetle digestive systems were heterologously expressed and functionally characterized, showing a set of lineage-specific consecutively pectin-degrading enzymes, as well as conserved but enzymatically inactive PG proteins. The evidence indicates that a PG gene was horizontally transferred ∼200 million years ago from an ascomycete fungus to a common ancestor of Chrysomeloidea and Curculionoidea. This has been followed by independent duplications in these two lineages, as well as independent replacement in two sublineages of Chrysomeloidea by two other subsequent HGTs. This origin, leading to subsequent functional diversification of the PG gene family within its new hosts, was a key event promoting the evolution of herbivory in these beetles.