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Xu Y, Jiao Y, Liu C, Miao R, Liu C, Wang Y, Ma C, Liu J. R-loop and diseases: the cell cycle matters. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:84. [PMID: 38678239 PMCID: PMC11055327 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02000-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The cell cycle is a crucial biological process that is involved in cell growth, development, and reproduction. It can be divided into G1, S, G2, and M phases, and each period is closely regulated to ensure the production of two similar daughter cells with the same genetic material. However, many obstacles influence the cell cycle, including the R-loop that is formed throughout this process. R-loop is a triple-stranded structure, composed of an RNA: DNA hybrid and a single DNA strand, which is ubiquitous in organisms from bacteria to mammals. The existence of the R-loop has important significance for the regulation of various physiological processes. However, aberrant accumulation of R-loop due to its limited resolving ability will be detrimental for cells. For example, DNA damage and genomic instability, caused by the R-loop, can activate checkpoints in the cell cycle, which in turn induce cell cycle arrest and cell death. At present, a growing number of factors have been proven to prevent or eliminate the accumulation of R-loop thereby avoiding DNA damage and mutations. Therefore, we need to gain detailed insight into the R-loop resolution factors at different stages of the cell cycle. In this review, we review the current knowledge of factors that play a role in resolving the R-loop at different stages of the cell cycle, as well as how mutations of these factors lead to the onset and progression of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Xu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Yue Jiao
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Chengbin Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Rui Miao
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Yilong Wang
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Chunming Ma
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Jiao Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China.
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2
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Piguet B, Houseley J. Transcription as source of genetic heterogeneity in budding yeast. Yeast 2024; 41:171-185. [PMID: 38196235 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcription presents challenges to genome stability both directly, by altering genome topology and exposing single-stranded DNA to chemical insults and nucleases, and indirectly by introducing obstacles to the DNA replication machinery. Such obstacles include the RNA polymerase holoenzyme itself, DNA-bound regulatory factors, G-quadruplexes and RNA-DNA hybrid structures known as R-loops. Here, we review the detrimental impacts of transcription on genome stability in budding yeast, as well as the mitigating effects of transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair and of systems that maintain DNA replication fork processivity and integrity. Interactions between DNA replication and transcription have particular potential to induce mutation and structural variation, but we conclude that such interactions must have only minor effects on DNA replication by the replisome with little if any direct mutagenic outcome. However, transcription can significantly impair the fidelity of replication fork rescue mechanisms, particularly Break Induced Replication, which is used to restart collapsed replication forks when other means fail. This leads to de novo mutations, structural variation and extrachromosomal circular DNA formation that contribute to genetic heterogeneity, but only under particular conditions and in particular genetic contexts, ensuring that the bulk of the genome remains extremely stable despite the seemingly frequent interactions between transcription and DNA replication.
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3
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Valenzisi P, Marabitti V, Pichierri P, Franchitto A. WRNIP1 prevents transcription-associated genomic instability. eLife 2024; 12:RP89981. [PMID: 38488661 PMCID: PMC10942783 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
R-loops are non-canonical DNA structures that form during transcription and play diverse roles in various physiological processes. Disruption of R-loop homeostasis can lead to genomic instability and replication impairment, contributing to several human diseases, including cancer. Although the molecular mechanisms that protect cells against such events are not fully understood, recent research has identified fork protection factors and DNA damage response proteins as regulators of R-loop dynamics. In this study, we identify the Werner helicase-interacting protein 1 (WRNIP1) as a novel factor that counteracts transcription-associated DNA damage upon replication perturbation. Loss of WRNIP1 leads to R-loop accumulation, resulting in collisions between the replisome and transcription machinery. We observe co-localization of WRNIP1 with transcription/replication complexes and R-loops after replication perturbation, suggesting its involvement in resolving transcription-replication conflicts. Moreover, WRNIP1-deficient cells show impaired replication restart from transcription-induced fork stalling. Notably, transcription inhibition and RNase H1 overexpression rescue all the defects caused by loss of WRNIP1. Importantly, our findings highlight the critical role of WRNIP1 ubiquitin-binding zinc finger (UBZ) domain in preventing pathological persistence of R-loops and limiting DNA damage, thereby safeguarding genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Valenzisi
- Section of Mechanisms Biomarkers and Models, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di SanitaRomeItaly
| | - Veronica Marabitti
- Section of Mechanisms Biomarkers and Models, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di SanitaRomeItaly
| | - Pietro Pichierri
- Section of Mechanisms Biomarkers and Models, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di SanitaRomeItaly
| | - Annapaola Franchitto
- Section of Mechanisms Biomarkers and Models, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di SanitaRomeItaly
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4
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Kumar C, Remus D. Looping out of control: R-loops in transcription-replication conflict. Chromosoma 2024; 133:37-56. [PMID: 37419963 PMCID: PMC10771546 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-023-00804-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Transcription-replication conflict is a major cause of replication stress that arises when replication forks collide with the transcription machinery. Replication fork stalling at sites of transcription compromises chromosome replication fidelity and can induce DNA damage with potentially deleterious consequences for genome stability and organismal health. The block to DNA replication by the transcription machinery is complex and can involve stalled or elongating RNA polymerases, promoter-bound transcription factor complexes, or DNA topology constraints. In addition, studies over the past two decades have identified co-transcriptional R-loops as a major source for impairment of DNA replication forks at active genes. However, how R-loops impede DNA replication at the molecular level is incompletely understood. Current evidence suggests that RNA:DNA hybrids, DNA secondary structures, stalled RNA polymerases, and condensed chromatin states associated with R-loops contribute to the of fork progression. Moreover, since both R-loops and replication forks are intrinsically asymmetric structures, the outcome of R-loop-replisome collisions is influenced by collision orientation. Collectively, the data suggest that the impact of R-loops on DNA replication is highly dependent on their specific structural composition. Here, we will summarize our current understanding of the molecular basis for R-loop-induced replication fork progression defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charanya Kumar
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065, USA
| | - Dirk Remus
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065, USA.
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5
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Abstract
Transcription and replication both require large macromolecular complexes to act on a DNA template, yet these machineries cannot simultaneously act on the same DNA sequence. Conflicts between the replication and transcription machineries (transcription-replication conflicts, or TRCs) are widespread in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and have the capacity to both cause DNA damage and compromise complete, faithful replication of the genome. This review will highlight recent studies investigating the genomic locations of TRCs and the mechanisms by which they may be prevented, mitigated, or resolved. We address work from both model organisms and mammalian systems but predominantly focus on multicellular eukaryotes owing to the additional complexities inherent in the coordination of replication and transcription in the context of cell type-specific gene expression and higher-order chromatin organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Goehring
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA;
| | - Tony T Huang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA;
| | - Duncan J Smith
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA;
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6
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Li F, Zafar A, Luo L, Denning AM, Gu J, Bennett A, Yuan F, Zhang Y. R-Loops in Genome Instability and Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4986. [PMID: 37894353 PMCID: PMC10605827 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops are unique, three-stranded nucleic acid structures that primarily form when an RNA molecule displaces one DNA strand and anneals to the complementary DNA strand in a double-stranded DNA molecule. R-loop formation can occur during natural processes, such as transcription, in which the nascent RNA molecule remains hybridized with the template DNA strand, while the non-template DNA strand is displaced. However, R-loops can also arise due to many non-natural processes, including DNA damage, dysregulation of RNA degradation pathways, and defects in RNA processing. Despite their prevalence throughout the whole genome, R-loops are predominantly found in actively transcribed gene regions, enabling R-loops to serve seemingly controversial roles. On one hand, the pathological accumulation of R-loops contributes to genome instability, a hallmark of cancer development that plays a role in tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and therapeutic resistance. On the other hand, R-loops play critical roles in regulating essential processes, such as gene expression, chromatin organization, class-switch recombination, mitochondrial DNA replication, and DNA repair. In this review, we summarize discoveries related to the formation, suppression, and removal of R-loops and their influence on genome instability, DNA repair, and oncogenic events. We have also discussed therapeutical opportunities by targeting pathological R-loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Alyan Zafar
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Liang Luo
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ariana Maria Denning
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jun Gu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ansley Bennett
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Fenghua Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Yanbin Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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7
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Fernandes RV, Lingner J. The THO complex counteracts TERRA R-loop-mediated telomere fragility in telomerase+ cells and telomeric recombination in ALT+ cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:6702-6722. [PMID: 37246640 PMCID: PMC10359610 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are the nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear chromosomes. Telomeres are transcribed into long non-coding Telomeric Repeat-Containing RNA (TERRA), whose functions rely on its ability to associate with telomeric chromatin. The conserved THO complex (THOC) was previously identified at human telomeres. It links transcription with RNA processing, decreasing the accumulation of co-transcriptional DNA:RNA hybrids throughout the genome. Here, we explore the role of THOC at human telomeres, as a regulator of TERRA localization to chromosome ends. We show that THOC counteracts TERRA association with telomeres via R-loops formed co-transcriptionally and also post-transcriptionally, in trans. We demonstrate that THOC binds nucleoplasmic TERRA, and that RNaseH1 loss, which increases telomeric R-loops, promotes THOC occupancy at telomeres. Additionally, we show that THOC counteracts lagging and mainly leading strand telomere fragility, suggesting that TERRA R-loops can interfere with replication fork progression. Finally, we observed that THOC suppresses telomeric sister-chromatid exchange and C-circle accumulation in ALT cancer cells, which maintain telomeres by recombination. Altogether, our findings reveal crucial roles of THOC in telomeric homeostasis through the co- and post-transcriptional regulation of TERRA R-loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Valador Fernandes
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Lingner
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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8
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Saha S, Pommier Y. R-loops, type I topoisomerases and cancer. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad013. [PMID: 37600974 PMCID: PMC9984992 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops are abundant and dynamic structures ubiquitously present in human cells both in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. They form in cis in the wake of transcription complexes and in trans apart from transcription complexes. In this review, we focus on the relationship between R-loops and topoisomerases, and cancer genomics and therapies. We summarize the topological parameters associated with the formation and resolution of R-loops, which absorb and release high levels of genomic negative supercoiling (Sc-). We review the deleterious consequences of excessive R-loops and rationalize how human type IA (TOP3B) and type IB (TOP1) topoisomerases regulate and resolve R-loops in coordination with helicase and RNase H enzymes. We also review the drugs (topoisomerase inhibitors, splicing inhibitors, G4 stabilizing ligands) and cancer predisposing genes (BRCA1/2, transcription, and splicing genes) known to induce R-loops, and whether stabilizing R-loops and thereby inducing genomic damage can be viewed as a strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Saha
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch & Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yves Pommier
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch & Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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9
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Brown RE, Su XA, Fair S, Wu K, Verra L, Jong R, Andrykovich K, Freudenreich CH. The RNA export and RNA decay complexes THO and TRAMP prevent transcription-replication conflicts, DNA breaks, and CAG repeat contractions. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001940. [PMID: 36574440 PMCID: PMC9829180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion of structure-forming CAG/CTG repetitive sequences is the cause of several neurodegenerative disorders and deletion of repeats is a potential therapeutic strategy. Transcription-associated mechanisms are known to cause CAG repeat instability. In this study, we discovered that Thp2, an RNA export factor and member of the THO (suppressors of transcriptional defects of hpr1Δ by overexpression) complex, and Trf4, a key component of the TRAMP (Trf4/5-Air1/2-Mtr4 polyadenylation) complex involved in nuclear RNA polyadenylation and degradation, are necessary to prevent CAG fragility and repeat contractions in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model system. Depletion of both Thp2 and Trf4 proteins causes a highly synergistic increase in CAG repeat fragility, indicating a complementary role of the THO and TRAMP complexes in preventing genome instability. Loss of either Thp2 or Trf4 causes an increase in RNA polymerase stalling at the CAG repeats and other genomic loci, as well as genome-wide transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs), implicating TRCs as a cause of CAG fragility and instability in their absence. Analysis of the effect of RNase H1 overexpression on CAG fragility, RNAPII stalling, and TRCs suggests that RNAPII stalling with associated R-loops are the main cause of CAG fragility in the thp2Δ mutants. In contrast, CAG fragility and TRCs in the trf4Δ mutant can be compensated for by RPA overexpression, suggesting that excess unprocessed RNA in TRAMP4 mutants leads to reduced RPA availability and high levels of TRCs. Our results show the importance of RNA surveillance pathways in preventing RNAPII stalling, TRCs, and DNA breaks, and show that RNA export and RNA decay factors work collaboratively to maintain genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Brown
- Program in Genetics, Tufts University School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Xiaofeng A. Su
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stacey Fair
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Katherine Wu
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lauren Verra
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Robyn Jong
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kristin Andrykovich
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Catherine H. Freudenreich
- Program in Genetics, Tufts University School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Guh CY, Shen HJ, Chen LW, Chiu PC, Liao IH, Lo CC, Chen Y, Hsieh YH, Chang TC, Yen CP, Chen YY, Chen TWW, Chen LY, Wu CS, Egly JM, Chu HPC. XPF activates break-induced telomere synthesis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5781. [PMID: 36184605 PMCID: PMC9527253 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33428-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) utilizes a recombination mechanism and break-induced DNA synthesis to maintain telomere length without telomerase, but it is unclear how cells initiate ALT. TERRA, telomeric repeat-containing RNA, forms RNA:DNA hybrids (R-loops) at ALT telomeres. We show that depleting TERRA using an RNA-targeting Cas9 system reduces ALT-associated PML bodies, telomere clustering, and telomere lengthening. TERRA interactome reveals that TERRA interacts with an extensive subset of DNA repair proteins in ALT cells. One of TERRA interacting proteins, the endonuclease XPF, is highly enriched at ALT telomeres and recruited by telomeric R-loops to induce DNA damage response (DDR) independent of CSB and SLX4, and thus triggers break-induced telomere synthesis and lengthening. The attraction of BRCA1 and RAD51 at telomeres requires XPF in FANCM-deficient cells that accumulate telomeric R-loops. Our results suggest that telomeric R-loops activate DDR via XPF to promote homologous recombination and telomere replication to drive ALT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Guh
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Jhih Shen
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liv WeiChien Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chen Chiu
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Hsin Liao
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chia Lo
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yunfei Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hung Hsieh
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Chia Chang
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ping Yen
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Yun Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tom Wei-Wu Chen
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital and Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liuh-Yow Chen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Shyi Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jean-Marc Egly
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, IGBMC, CNRS/INSERM/University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Ping Catherine Chu
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Sec. 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
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11
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Brickner JR, Garzon JL, Cimprich KA. Walking a tightrope: The complex balancing act of R-loops in genome stability. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2267-2297. [PMID: 35508167 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although transcription is an essential cellular process, it is paradoxically also a well-recognized cause of genomic instability. R-loops, non-B DNA structures formed when nascent RNA hybridizes to DNA to displace the non-template strand as single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), are partially responsible for this instability. Yet, recent work has begun to elucidate regulatory roles for R-loops in maintaining the genome. In this review, we discuss the cellular contexts in which R-loops contribute to genomic instability, particularly during DNA replication and double-strand break (DSB) repair. We also summarize the evidence that R-loops participate as an intermediate during repair and may influence pathway choice to preserve genomic integrity. Finally, we discuss the immunogenic potential of R-loops and highlight their links to disease should they become pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R Brickner
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jada L Garzon
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karlene A Cimprich
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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12
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Marabitti V, Valenzisi P, Lillo G, Malacaria E, Palermo V, Pichierri P, Franchitto A. R-Loop-Associated Genomic Instability and Implication of WRN and WRNIP1. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031547. [PMID: 35163467 PMCID: PMC8836129 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of genome stability is crucial for cell survival and relies on accurate DNA replication. However, replication fork progression is under constant attack from different exogenous and endogenous factors that can give rise to replication stress, a source of genomic instability and a notable hallmark of pre-cancerous and cancerous cells. Notably, one of the major natural threats for DNA replication is transcription. Encounters or conflicts between replication and transcription are unavoidable, as they compete for the same DNA template, so that collisions occur quite frequently. The main harmful transcription-associated structures are R-loops. These are DNA structures consisting of a DNA–RNA hybrid and a displaced single-stranded DNA, which play important physiological roles. However, if their homeostasis is altered, they become a potent source of replication stress and genome instability giving rise to several human diseases, including cancer. To combat the deleterious consequences of pathological R-loop persistence, cells have evolved multiple mechanisms, and an ever growing number of replication fork protection factors have been implicated in preventing/removing these harmful structures; however, many others are perhaps still unknown. In this review, we report the current knowledge on how aberrant R-loops affect genome integrity and how they are handled, and we discuss our recent findings on the role played by two fork protection factors, the Werner syndrome protein (WRN) and the Werner helicase-interacting protein 1 (WRNIP1) in response to R-loop-induced genome instability.
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13
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Whale AJ, King M, Hull RM, Krueger F, Houseley J. Stimulation of adaptive gene amplification by origin firing under replication fork constraint. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:915-936. [PMID: 35018465 PMCID: PMC8789084 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptive mutations can cause drug resistance in cancers and pathogens, and increase the tolerance of agricultural pests and diseases to chemical treatment. When and how adaptive mutations form is often hard to discern, but we have shown that adaptive copy number amplification of the copper resistance gene CUP1 occurs in response to environmental copper due to CUP1 transcriptional activation. Here we dissect the mechanism by which CUP1 transcription in budding yeast stimulates copy number variation (CNV). We show that transcriptionally stimulated CNV requires TREX-2 and Mediator, such that cells lacking TREX-2 or Mediator respond normally to copper but cannot acquire increased resistance. Mediator and TREX-2 can cause replication stress by tethering transcribed loci to nuclear pores, a process known as gene gating, and transcription at the CUP1 locus causes a TREX-2-dependent accumulation of replication forks indicative of replication fork stalling. TREX-2-dependent CUP1 gene amplification occurs by a Rad52 and Rad51-mediated homologous recombination mechanism that is enhanced by histone H3K56 acetylation and repressed by Pol32 and Pif1. CUP1 amplification is also critically dependent on late-firing replication origins present in the CUP1 repeats, and mutations that remove or inactivate these origins strongly suppress the acquisition of copper resistance. We propose that replicative stress imposed by nuclear pore association causes replication bubbles from these origins to collapse soon after activation, leaving a tract of H3K56-acetylated chromatin that promotes secondary recombination events during elongation after replication fork re-start events. The capacity for inefficient replication origins to promote copy number variation renders certain genomic regions more fragile than others, and therefore more likely to undergo adaptive evolution through de novo gene amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J Whale
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michelle King
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ryan M Hull
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Felix Krueger
- Babraham Bioinformatics, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
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14
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Zheleva A, Camino LP, Fernández-Fernández N, García-Rubio M, Askjaer P, García-Muse T, Aguilera A. THSC/TREX-2 deficiency causes replication stress and genome instability in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs258435. [PMID: 34553761 PMCID: PMC10658913 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription is an essential process of DNA metabolism, yet it makes DNA more susceptible to DNA damage. THSC/TREX-2 is a conserved eukaryotic protein complex with a key role in mRNP biogenesis and maturation that prevents genome instability. One source of such instability is linked to transcription, as shown in yeast and human cells, but the underlying mechanism and whether this link is universal is still unclear. To obtain further insight into the putative role of the THSC/TREX-2 complex in genome integrity, we have used Caenorhabditis elegans mutants of the thp-1 and dss-1 components of THSC/TREX-2. These mutants show similar defective meiosis, DNA damage accumulation and activation of the DNA damage checkpoint. However, they differ from each other regarding replication defects, as determined by measuring dUTP incorporation in the germline. Interestingly, this specific thp-1 mutant phenotype can be partially rescued by overexpression of RNase H. Furthermore, both mutants show a mild increase in phosphorylation of histone H3 at Ser10 (H3S10P), a mark previously shown to be linked to DNA-RNA hybrid-mediated genome instability. These data support the view that both THSC/TREX-2 factors prevent transcription-associated DNA damage derived from DNA-RNA hybrid accumulation by separate means.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Zheleva
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Lola P. Camino
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Nuria Fernández-Fernández
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - María García-Rubio
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Peter Askjaer
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Tatiana García-Muse
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
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15
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Kumar C, Batra S, Griffith JD, Remus D. The interplay of RNA:DNA hybrid structure and G-quadruplexes determines the outcome of R-loop-replisome collisions. eLife 2021; 10:72286. [PMID: 34494544 PMCID: PMC8479836 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loops are a major source of genome instability associated with transcription-induced replication stress. However, how R-loops inherently impact replication fork progression is not understood. Here, we characterize R-loop-replisome collisions using a fully reconstituted eukaryotic DNA replication system. We find that RNA:DNA hybrids and G-quadruplexes at both co-directional and head-on R-loops can impact fork progression by inducing fork stalling, uncoupling of leading strand synthesis from replisome progression, and nascent strand gaps. RNase H1 and Pif1 suppress replication defects by resolving RNA:DNA hybrids and G-quadruplexes, respectively. We also identify an intrinsic capacity of replisomes to maintain fork progression at certain R-loops by unwinding RNA:DNA hybrids, repriming leading strand synthesis downstream of G-quadruplexes, or utilizing R-loop transcripts to prime leading strand restart during co-directional R-loop-replisome collisions. Collectively, the data demonstrates that the outcome of R-loop-replisome collisions is modulated by R-loop structure, providing a mechanistic basis for the distinction of deleterious from non-deleterious R-loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charanya Kumar
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Sahil Batra
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Jack D Griffith
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, and Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Dirk Remus
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
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16
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Bowry A, Kelly RDW, Petermann E. Hypertranscription and replication stress in cancer. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:863-877. [PMID: 34052137 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Replication stress results from obstacles to replication fork progression, including ongoing transcription, which can cause transcription-replication conflicts. Oncogenic signaling can promote global increases in transcription activity, also termed hypertranscription. Despite the widely accepted importance of oncogene-induced hypertranscription, its study remains neglected compared with other causes of replication stress and genomic instability in cancer. A growing number of recent studies are reporting that oncogenes, such as RAS, and targeted cancer treatments, such as bromodomain and extraterminal motif (BET) bromodomain inhibitors, increase global transcription, leading to R-loop accumulation, transcription-replication conflicts, and the activation of replication stress responses. Here we discuss our mechanistic understanding of hypertranscription-induced replication stress and the resulting cellular responses, in the context of oncogenes and targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Bowry
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Richard D W Kelly
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Eva Petermann
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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17
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Kemiha S, Poli J, Lin YL, Lengronne A, Pasero P. Toxic R-loops: Cause or consequence of replication stress? DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 107:103199. [PMID: 34399314 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs) represent a potential source of endogenous replication stress (RS) and genomic instability in eukaryotic cells but the mechanisms that underlie this instability remain poorly understood. Part of the problem could come from non-B DNA structures called R-loops, which are formed of a RNA:DNA hybrid and a displaced ssDNA loop. In this review, we discuss different scenarios in which R-loops directly or indirectly interfere with DNA replication. We also present other types of TRCs that may not depend on R-loops to impede fork progression. Finally, we discuss alternative models in which toxic RNA:DNA hybrids form at stalled forks as a consequence - but not a cause - of replication stress and interfere with replication resumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Kemiha
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Poli
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Yea-Lih Lin
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Armelle Lengronne
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Pasero
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France.
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18
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San Martin-Alonso M, Soler-Oliva ME, García-Rubio M, García-Muse T, Aguilera A. Harmful R-loops are prevented via different cell cycle-specific mechanisms. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4451. [PMID: 34294712 PMCID: PMC8298424 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24737-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying how R-loops are generated is crucial to know how transcription compromises genome integrity. We show by genome-wide analysis of conditional yeast mutants that the THO transcription complex, prevents R-loop formation in G1 and S-phase, whereas the Sen1 DNA-RNA helicase prevents them only in S-phase. Interestingly, damage accumulates asymmetrically downstream of the replication fork in sen1 cells but symmetrically in the hpr1 THO mutant. Our results indicate that: R-loops form co-transcriptionally independently of DNA replication; that THO is a general and cell-cycle independent safeguard against R-loops, and that Sen1, in contrast to previously believed, is an S-phase-specific R-loop resolvase. These conclusions have important implications for the mechanism of R-loop formation and the role of other factors reported to affect on R-loop homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta San Martin-Alonso
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-UPO, Seville, Spain
| | - María E Soler-Oliva
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-UPO, Seville, Spain
| | - María García-Rubio
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-UPO, Seville, Spain
| | - Tatiana García-Muse
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-UPO, Seville, Spain.
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-UPO, Seville, Spain.
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19
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Brüning JG, Marians KJ. Replisome bypass of transcription complexes and R-loops. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:10353-10367. [PMID: 32926139 PMCID: PMC7544221 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The vast majority of the genome is transcribed by RNA polymerases. G+C-rich regions of the chromosomes and negative superhelicity can promote the invasion of the DNA by RNA to form R-loops, which have been shown to block DNA replication and promote genome instability. However, it is unclear whether the R-loops themselves are sufficient to cause this instability or if additional factors are required. We have investigated replisome collisions with transcription complexes and R-loops using a reconstituted bacterial DNA replication system. RNA polymerase transcription complexes co-directionally oriented with the replication fork were transient blockages, whereas those oriented head-on were severe, stable blockages. On the other hand, replisomes easily bypassed R-loops on either template strand. Replication encounters with R-loops on the leading-strand template (co-directional) resulted in gaps in the nascent leading strand, whereas lagging-strand template R-loops (head-on) had little impact on replication fork progression. We conclude that whereas R-loops alone can act as transient replication blocks, most genome-destabilizing replication fork stalling likely occurs because of proteins bound to the R-loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Gert Brüning
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kenneth J Marians
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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20
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Abstract
Physiological and pathological roles for R-loop structures continue to be discovered, and studies suggest that R-loops could contribute to human disease. R-loops are nucleic acid structures characterized by a DNA:RNA hybrid and displaced single-stranded DNA that occur in connection with transcription. R-loops form naturally and have been shown to be important for a number of physiological processes such as mitochondrial replication initiation, class switch recombination, DNA repair, modulating DNA topology, and regulation of gene expression. However, subsets of R-loops or persistent R-loops lead to DNA breaks, chromosome rearrangement, and genome instability. In addition, R-loops have been linked to human diseases, specifically neurological disorders and cancer. Of the large amount of research produced recently on R-loops, this review covers evidence for R-loop involvement in normal cellular physiology and pathophysiology, as well as describing factors that contribute to R-loop regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Patrick Mackay
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Qinqin Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Paul M Weinberger
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
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21
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Tsirkas I, Dovrat D, Lei Y, Kalyva A, Lotysh D, Li Q, Aharoni A. Cac1 WHD and PIP domains have distinct roles in replisome progression and genomic stability. Curr Genet 2020; 67:129-139. [PMID: 33025160 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-020-01113-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Replication-coupled (RC) nucleosome assembly is an essential process in eukaryotic cells to maintain chromatin structure during DNA replication. The deposition of newly-synthesized H3/H4 histones during DNA replication is facilitated by specialized histone chaperones. CAF-1 is an important histone chaperone complex and its main subunit, Cac1p, contains a PIP and WHD domain for interaction with PCNA and the DNA, respectively. While Cac1p subunit was extensively studied in different systems much less is known regarding the importance of the PIP and WHD domains in replication fork progression and genome stability. By exploiting a time-lapse microscopy system for monitoring DNA replication in individual live cells, we examined how mutations in these Cac1p domains affect replication fork progression and post-replication characteristics. Our experiments revealed that mutations in the Cac1p WHD domain, which abolished the CAF-1-DNA interaction, slows down replication fork progression. In contrast, mutations in Cac1p PIP domain, abolishing Cac1p-PCNA interaction, lead to extended late-S/Anaphase duration, elevated number of RPA foci and increased spontaneous mutation rate. Our research shows that Cac1p WHD and PIP domains have distinct roles in high replisome progression and maintaining genome stability during cell cycle progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Tsirkas
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Daniel Dovrat
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Yang Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences and Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Angeliki Kalyva
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Diana Lotysh
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences and Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Amir Aharoni
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
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22
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Depletion of the MFAP1/SPP381 Splicing Factor Causes R-Loop-Independent Genome Instability. Cell Rep 2020; 28:1551-1563.e7. [PMID: 31390568 PMCID: PMC6693559 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
THO/TREX is a conserved complex with a role in messenger ribonucleoprotein biogenesis that links gene expression and genome instability. Here, we show that human THO interacts with MFAP1 (microfibrillar-associated protein 1), a spliceosome-associated factor. Interestingly, MFAP1 depletion impairs cell proliferation and genome integrity, increasing γH2AX foci and DNA breaks. This phenotype is not dependent on either transcription or RNA-DNA hybrids. Mutations in the yeast orthologous gene SPP381 cause similar transcription-independent genome instability, supporting a conserved role. MFAP1 depletion has a wide effect on splicing and gene expression in human cells, determined by transcriptome analyses. MFAP1 depletion affects a number of DNA damage response (DDR) genes, which supports an indirect role of MFAP1 on genome integrity. Our work defines a functional interaction between THO and RNA processing and argues that splicing factors may contribute to genome integrity indirectly by regulating the expression of DDR genes rather than by a direct role.
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23
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Lam FC, Kong YW, Huang Q, Vu Han TL, Maffa AD, Kasper EM, Yaffe MB. BRD4 prevents the accumulation of R-loops and protects against transcription-replication collision events and DNA damage. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4083. [PMID: 32796829 PMCID: PMC7428008 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17503-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper chromatin function and maintenance of genomic stability depends on spatiotemporal coordination between the transcription and replication machinery. Loss of this coordination can lead to DNA damage from increased transcription-replication collision events. We report that deregulated transcription following BRD4 loss in cancer cells leads to the accumulation of RNA:DNA hybrids (R-loops) and collisions with the replication machinery causing replication stress and DNA damage. Whole genome BRD4 and γH2AX ChIP-Seq with R-loop IP qPCR reveals that BRD4 inhibition leads to accumulation of R-loops and DNA damage at a subset of known BDR4, JMJD6, and CHD4 co-regulated genes. Interference with BRD4 function causes transcriptional downregulation of the DNA damage response protein TopBP1, resulting in failure to activate the ATR-Chk1 pathway despite increased replication stress, leading to apoptotic cell death in S-phase and mitotic catastrophe. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of BRD4 induces transcription-replication conflicts, DNA damage, and cell death in oncogenic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred C Lam
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, Hamilton General Hospital, McMaster University, 237 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON, L8L 2X2, Canada.
| | - Yi Wen Kong
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Qiuying Huang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Tu-Lan Vu Han
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Amanda D Maffa
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ekkehard M Kasper
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, Hamilton General Hospital, McMaster University, 237 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON, L8L 2X2, Canada
| | - Michael B Yaffe
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Departments of Biology and Bioengineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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24
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Promonet A, Padioleau I, Liu Y, Sanz L, Biernacka A, Schmitz AL, Skrzypczak M, Sarrazin A, Mettling C, Rowicka M, Ginalski K, Chedin F, Chen CL, Lin YL, Pasero P. Topoisomerase 1 prevents replication stress at R-loop-enriched transcription termination sites. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3940. [PMID: 32769985 PMCID: PMC7414224 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17858-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loops have both positive and negative impacts on chromosome functions. To identify toxic R-loops in the human genome, here, we map RNA:DNA hybrids, replication stress markers and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in cells depleted for Topoisomerase I (Top1), an enzyme that relaxes DNA supercoiling and prevents R-loop formation. RNA:DNA hybrids are found at both promoters (TSS) and terminators (TTS) of highly expressed genes. In contrast, the phosphorylation of RPA by ATR is only detected at TTS, which are preferentially replicated in a head-on orientation relative to the direction of transcription. In Top1-depleted cells, DSBs also accumulate at TTS, leading to persistent checkpoint activation, spreading of γ-H2AX on chromatin and global replication fork slowdown. These data indicate that fork pausing at the TTS of highly expressed genes containing R-loops prevents head-on conflicts between replication and transcription and maintains genome integrity in a Top1-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexy Promonet
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Ismaël Padioleau
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France
- Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Yaqun Liu
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3244, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Lionel Sanz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Anna Biernacka
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anne-Lyne Schmitz
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Magdalena Skrzypczak
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Amélie Sarrazin
- BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Clément Mettling
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Maga Rowicka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Krzysztof Ginalski
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Frédéric Chedin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Chun-Long Chen
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3244, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
| | - Yea-Lih Lin
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France.
| | - Philippe Pasero
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS et Université de Montpellier, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Montpellier, France.
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25
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Lafuente-Barquero J, García-Rubio ML, Martin-Alonso MS, Gómez-González B, Aguilera A. Harmful DNA:RNA hybrids are formed in cis and in a Rad51-independent manner. eLife 2020; 9:56674. [PMID: 32749214 PMCID: PMC7431130 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA:RNA hybrids constitute a well-known source of recombinogenic DNA damage. The current literature is in agreement with DNA:RNA hybrids being produced co-transcriptionally by the invasion of the nascent RNA molecule produced in cis with its DNA template. However, it has also been suggested that recombinogenic DNA:RNA hybrids could be facilitated by the invasion of RNA molecules produced in trans in a Rad51-mediated reaction. Here, we tested the possibility that such DNA:RNA hybrids constitute a source of recombinogenic DNA damage taking advantage of Rad51-independent single-strand annealing (SSA) assays in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. For this, we used new constructs designed to induce expression of mRNA transcripts in trans with respect to the SSA system. We show that unscheduled and recombinogenic DNA:RNA hybrids that trigger the SSA event are formed in cis during transcription and in a Rad51-independent manner. We found no evidence that such hybrids form in trans and in a Rad51-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Lafuente-Barquero
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Maria Luisa García-Rubio
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Marta San Martin-Alonso
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Belén Gómez-González
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
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26
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Cai S, Bai Y, Wang H, Zhao Z, Ding X, Zhang H, Zhang X, Liu Y, Jia Y, Li Y, Chen S, Zhou H, Liu H, Yang C, Sun T. Knockdown of THOC1 reduces the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma and increases the sensitivity to cisplatin. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:135. [PMID: 32669125 PMCID: PMC7362638 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01634-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant cancers with poor prognosis and high incidence. The clinical data analysis of liver hepatocellular carcinoma samples downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas reveals that the THO Complex 1 (THOC1) is remarkable upregulated in HCC and associated with poor prognosis. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. We hypothesize that THOC1 can promote the proliferation of HCC. The present study aims to identify THOC1 as the target for HCC treatment and broaden our sights into therapeutic strategy for this disease. Methods Quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to measure gene and protein expression. Colony formation and cell cycle analysis were performed to evaluate the proliferation. The gene set enrichment analysis were performed to identify the function which THOC1 was involved in. The effects of THOC1 on the malignant phenotypes of hepatocellular cells were examined in vitro and in vivo. Results The gene set enrichment analysis reveals that THOC1 can promote the proliferation and G2/M cell cycle transition of HCC. Similarly, experimental results demonstrate that THOC1 promotes HCC cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. The knockdown of THOC1 leads to R-loop formation and DNA damage and confers sensitivity to cisplatin. In addition, in vivo data demonstrate that THOC1 can enhance tumorigenesis by increasing tumor cell proliferation. Furthermore, virtual screening predicts that THOC1 as a direct target of luteolin. Luteolin can induce DNA damage and suppress the proliferation of HCC by targeting THOC1. Furthermore, the inhibition of THOC1 activity by luteolin enhances the chemosensitivity of HCC tumor cells to cisplatin. Conclusions THOC1 was identified as a predictive biomarker vital for HCC-targeted treatments and improvement of clinical prognosis. Luteolin combined with cisplatin can effectively suppress HCC tumor growth, indicating a potential and effective therapeutic strategy that uses luteolin in combination with conventional cytotoxic agents for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijiao Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Yunpeng Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Huan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Zihan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiujuan Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Yantao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yinan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Honggang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China. .,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China.
| | - Huijuan Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China. .,College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Cheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China. .,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China.
| | - Tao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38, Tongyan Road, Tianjin, 300350, China. .,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China.
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27
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Protective Mechanisms Against DNA Replication Stress in the Nervous System. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11070730. [PMID: 32630049 PMCID: PMC7397197 DOI: 10.3390/genes11070730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The precise replication of DNA and the successful segregation of chromosomes are essential for the faithful transmission of genetic information during the cell cycle. Alterations in the dynamics of genome replication, also referred to as DNA replication stress, may lead to DNA damage and, consequently, mutations and chromosomal rearrangements. Extensive research has revealed that DNA replication stress drives genome instability during tumorigenesis. Over decades, genetic studies of inherited syndromes have established a connection between the mutations in genes required for proper DNA repair/DNA damage responses and neurological diseases. It is becoming clear that both the prevention and the responses to replication stress are particularly important for nervous system development and function. The accurate regulation of cell proliferation is key for the expansion of progenitor pools during central nervous system (CNS) development, adult neurogenesis, and regeneration. Moreover, DNA replication stress in glial cells regulates CNS tumorigenesis and plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as ataxia telangiectasia (A-T). Here, we review how replication stress generation and replication stress response (RSR) contribute to the CNS development, homeostasis, and disease. Both cell-autonomous mechanisms, as well as the evidence of RSR-mediated alterations of the cellular microenvironment in the nervous system, were discussed.
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28
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Luna R, Rondón AG, Pérez-Calero C, Salas-Armenteros I, Aguilera A. The THO Complex as a Paradigm for the Prevention of Cotranscriptional R-Loops. COLD SPRING HARBOR SYMPOSIA ON QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY 2020; 84:105-114. [PMID: 32493765 DOI: 10.1101/sqb.2019.84.039594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Different proteins associate with the nascent RNA and the RNA polymerase (RNAP) to catalyze the transcription cycle and RNA export. If these processes are not properly controlled, the nascent RNA can thread back and hybridize to the DNA template forming R-loops capable of stalling replication, leading to DNA breaks. Given the transcriptional promiscuity of the genome, which leads to large amounts of RNAs from mRNAs to different types of ncRNAs, these can become a major threat to genome integrity if they form R-loops. Consequently, cells have evolved nuclear factors to prevent this phenomenon that includes THO, a conserved eukaryotic complex acting in transcription elongation and RNA processing and export that upon inactivation causes genome instability linked to R-loop accumulation. We revise and discuss here the biological relevance of THO and a number of RNA helicases, including the THO partner UAP56/DDX39B, as a paradigm of the cellular mechanisms of cotranscriptional R-loop prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Luna
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Ana G Rondón
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Carmen Pérez-Calero
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Irene Salas-Armenteros
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
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29
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Pérez-Calero C, Bayona-Feliu A, Xue X, Barroso SI, Muñoz S, González-Basallote VM, Sung P, Aguilera A. UAP56/DDX39B is a major cotranscriptional RNA-DNA helicase that unwinds harmful R loops genome-wide. Genes Dev 2020; 34:898-912. [PMID: 32439635 PMCID: PMC7328515 DOI: 10.1101/gad.336024.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, Pérez-Calero et al. set out to investigate the role of UAP56/DDX39B in R-loop removal. Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, the authors demonstrate that UAP56 functions as a DNA–RNA helicase required to eliminate harmful cotranscriptional RNA structures that otherwise would block transcription and replication. Nonscheduled R loops represent a major source of DNA damage and replication stress. Cells have different ways to prevent R-loop accumulation. One mechanism relies on the conserved THO complex in association with cotranscriptional RNA processing factors including the RNA-dependent ATPase UAP56/DDX39B and histone modifiers such as the SIN3 deacetylase in humans. We investigated the function of UAP56/DDX39B in R-loop removal. We show that UAP56 depletion causes R-loop accumulation, R-loop-mediated genome instability, and replication fork stalling. We demonstrate an RNA–DNA helicase activity in UAP56 and show that its overexpression suppresses R loops and genome instability induced by depleting five different unrelated factors. UAP56/DDX39B localizes to active chromatin and prevents the accumulation of RNA–DNA hybrids over the entire genome. We propose that, in addition to its RNA processing role, UAP56/DDX39B is a key helicase required to eliminate harmful cotranscriptional RNA structures that otherwise would block transcription and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Pérez-Calero
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER) Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla 41092, Spain
| | - Aleix Bayona-Feliu
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER) Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla 41092, Spain
| | - Xiaoyu Xue
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Yale, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas 78666, USA
| | - Sonia I Barroso
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER) Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla 41092, Spain
| | - Sergio Muñoz
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER) Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla 41092, Spain
| | - Víctor M González-Basallote
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER) Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla 41092, Spain
| | - Patrick Sung
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Yale, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER) Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla 41092, Spain
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30
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Ortega P, García-Pichardo D, San Martin-Alonso M, Rondón AG, Gómez-González B, Aguilera A. Histone H3E73Q and H4E53A mutations cause recombinogenic DNA damage. MICROBIAL CELL 2020; 7:190-198. [PMID: 32656258 PMCID: PMC7328676 DOI: 10.15698/mic2020.07.723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The stability and function of eukaryotic genomes is closely linked to histones and to chromatin structure. The state of the chromatin not only affects the probability of DNA to undergo damage but also DNA repair. DNA damage can result in genetic alterations and subsequent development of cancer and other genetic diseases. Here, we identified two mutations in conserved residues of histone H3 and histone H4 (H3E73Q and H4E53A) that increase recombinogenic DNA damage. Our results suggest that the accumulation of DNA damage in these histone mutants is largely independent on transcription and might arise as a consequence of problems occurring during DNA replication. This study uncovers the relevance of H3E73 and H4E53 residues in the protection of genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Ortega
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Desiré García-Pichardo
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Marta San Martin-Alonso
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Ana G Rondón
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Belén Gómez-González
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
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31
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Gómez-González B, Barroso S, Herrera-Moyano E, Aguilera A. Spontaneous DNA-RNA hybrids: differential impacts throughout the cell cycle. Cell Cycle 2020; 19:525-531. [PMID: 32065022 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2020.1728015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A large body of research supports that transcription plays a major role among the many sources of replicative stress contributing to genome instability. It is therefore not surprising that the DNA damage response has a role in the prevention of transcription-induced threatening events such as the formation of DNA-RNA hybrids, as we have recently found through an siRNA screening. Three major DDR pathways were defined to participate in the protection against DNA-RNA hybrids: ATM/CHK2, ATR/CHK1 and Postreplication Repair (PRR). Based on these observations, we envision different scenarios of DNA-RNA hybridization and their consequent DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Gómez-González
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Sonia Barroso
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Emilia Herrera-Moyano
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
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32
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Marabitti V, Lillo G, Malacaria E, Palermo V, Pichierri P, Franchitto A. Checkpoint Defects Elicit a WRNIP1-Mediated Response to Counteract R-Loop-Associated Genomic Instability. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020389. [PMID: 32046194 PMCID: PMC7072626 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Conflicts between replication and transcription are a common source of genomic instability, a characteristic of almost all human cancers. Aberrant R-loops can cause a block to replication fork progression. A growing number of factors are involved in the resolution of these harmful structures and many perhaps are still unknown. Here, we reveal that the Werner interacting protein 1 (WRNIP1)-mediated response is implicated in counteracting aberrant R-loop accumulation. Using human cellular models with compromised Ataxia-Telangiectasia and Rad3-Related (ATR)-dependent checkpoint activation, we show that WRNIP1 is stabilized in chromatin and is needed for maintaining genome integrity by mediating the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM)-dependent phosphorylation of Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1). Furthermore, we demonstrated that loss of Werner Syndrome protein (WRN) or ATR signaling leads to formation of R-loop-dependent parental ssDNA upon mild replication stress, which is covered by Radiorestistance protein 51 (RAD51). We prove that Werner helicase-interacting protein 1 (WRNIP1) chromatin retention is also required to stabilize the association of RAD51 with ssDNA in proximity of R-loops. Therefore, in these pathological contexts, ATM inhibition or WRNIP1 abrogation is accompanied by increased levels of genomic instability. Overall, our findings suggest a novel function for WRNIP1 in preventing R-loop-driven genome instability, providing new clues to understand the way replication–transcription conflicts are handled.
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33
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R Loops: From Physiological to Pathological Roles. Cell 2019; 179:604-618. [PMID: 31607512 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 340] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
DNA-RNA hybrids play a physiological role in cellular processes, but often, they represent non-scheduled co-transcriptional structures with a negative impact on transcription, replication and DNA repair. Accumulating evidence suggests that they constitute a source of replication stress, DNA breaks and genome instability. Reciprocally, DNA breaks facilitate DNA-RNA hybrid formation by releasing the double helix torsional conformation. Cells avoid DNA-RNA accumulation by either preventing or removing hybrids directly or by DNA repair-coupled mechanisms. Given the R-loop impact on chromatin and genome organization and its potential relation with genetic diseases, we review R-loop homeostasis as well as their physiological and pathological roles.
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34
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Kuznetsov VA, Bondarenko V, Wongsurawat T, Yenamandra SP, Jenjaroenpun P. Toward predictive R-loop computational biology: genome-scale prediction of R-loops reveals their association with complex promoter structures, G-quadruplexes and transcriptionally active enhancers. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:7566-7585. [PMID: 29945198 PMCID: PMC6125637 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loops are three-stranded RNA:DNA hybrid structures essential for many normal and pathobiological processes. Previously, we generated a quantitative R-loop forming sequence (RLFS) model, quantitative model of R-loop-forming sequences (QmRLFS) and predicted ∼660 000 RLFSs; most of them located in genes and gene-flanking regions, G-rich regions and disease-associated genomic loci in the human genome. Here, we conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis of these RLFSs using experimental data and demonstrated the high performance of QmRLFS predictions on the nucleotide and genome scales. The preferential co-localization of RLFS with promoters, U1 splice sites, gene ends, enhancers and non-B DNA structures, such as G-quadruplexes, provides evidence for the mechanical linkage between DNA tertiary structures, transcription initiation and R-loops in critical regulatory genome regions. We introduced and characterized an abundant class of reverse-forward RLFS clusters highly enriched in non-B DNA structures, which localized to promoters, gene ends and enhancers. The RLFS co-localization with promoters and transcriptionally active enhancers suggested new models for in cis and in trans regulation by RNA:DNA hybrids of transcription initiation and formation of 3D-chromatin loops. Overall, this study provides a rationale for the discovery and characterization of the non-B DNA regulatory structures involved in the formation of the RNA:DNA interactome as the basis for an emerging quantitative R-loop biology and pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir A Kuznetsov
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore.,Department of Urology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Vladyslav Bondarenko
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Thidathip Wongsurawat
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore.,Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Surya P Yenamandra
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Piroon Jenjaroenpun
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore.,Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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35
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Barroso S, Herrera-Moyano E, Muñoz S, García-Rubio M, Gómez-González B, Aguilera A. The DNA damage response acts as a safeguard against harmful DNA-RNA hybrids of different origins. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e47250. [PMID: 31338941 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201847250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite playing physiological roles in specific situations, DNA-RNA hybrids threat genome integrity. To investigate how cells do counteract spontaneous DNA-RNA hybrids, here we screen an siRNA library covering 240 human DNA damage response (DDR) genes and select siRNAs causing DNA-RNA hybrid accumulation and a significant increase in hybrid-dependent DNA breakage. We identify post-replicative repair and DNA damage checkpoint factors, including those of the ATM/CHK2 and ATR/CHK1 pathways. Thus, spontaneous DNA-RNA hybrids are likely a major source of replication stress, but they can also accumulate and menace genome integrity as a consequence of unrepaired DSBs and post-replicative ssDNA gaps in normal cells. We show that DNA-RNA hybrid accumulation correlates with increased DNA damage and chromatin compaction marks. Our results suggest that different mechanisms can lead to DNA-RNA hybrids with distinct consequences for replication and DNA dynamics at each cell cycle stage and support the conclusion that DNA-RNA hybrids are a common source of spontaneous DNA damage that remains unsolved under a deficient DDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Barroso
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Emilia Herrera-Moyano
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Sergio Muñoz
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - María García-Rubio
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Belén Gómez-González
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
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36
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Ragheb M, Merrikh H. The enigmatic role of Mfd in replication-transcription conflicts in bacteria. DNA Repair (Amst) 2019; 81:102659. [PMID: 31311770 PMCID: PMC6892258 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2019.102659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Conflicts between replication and transcription can have life-threatening consequences. RNA polymerase (RNAP) is the major impediment to replication progression, and its efficient removal from DNA should mitigate the consequences of collisions with replication. Cells have various proteins that can resolve conflicts by removing stalled (or actively translocating) RNAP from DNA. It would therefore seem logical that RNAP-associated factors, such as the bacterial DNA translocase Mfd, would minimize the effects of conflicts. Despite seemingly conclusive statements in most textbooks, the role of Mfd in conflicts remains an enigma. In this review, we will discuss the different physical states of RNAP during transcription, and how each distinct state can influence conflict severity and potentially trigger the involvement of Mfd. We propose models to explain the contradictory conclusions from published studies on the potential role of Mfd in resolving conflicts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Ragheb
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program and Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Houra Merrikh
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37205, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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37
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Abstract
Genome replication involves dealing with obstacles that can result from DNA damage but also from chromatin alterations, topological stress, tightly bound proteins or non-B DNA structures such as R loops. Experimental evidence reveals that an engaged transcription machinery at the DNA can either enhance such obstacles or be an obstacle itself. Thus, transcription can become a potentially hazardous process promoting localized replication fork hindrance and stress, which would ultimately cause genome instability, a hallmark of cancer cells. Understanding the causes behind transcription-replication conflicts as well as how the cell resolves them to sustain genome integrity is the aim of this review.
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Crossley MP, Bocek M, Cimprich KA. R-Loops as Cellular Regulators and Genomic Threats. Mol Cell 2019; 73:398-411. [PMID: 30735654 PMCID: PMC6402819 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 413] [Impact Index Per Article: 82.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
During transcription, the nascent RNA strand can base pair with its template DNA, displacing the non-template strand as ssDNA and forming a structure called an R-loop. R-loops are common across many domains of life and cause DNA damage in certain contexts. In this review, we summarize recent results implicating R-loops as important regulators of cellular processes such as transcription termination, gene regulation, and DNA repair. We also highlight recent work suggesting that R-loops can be problematic to cells as blocks to efficient transcription and replication that trigger the DNA damage response. Finally, we discuss how R-loops may contribute to cancer, neurodegeneration, and inflammatory diseases and compare the available next-generation sequencing-based approaches to map R-loops genome wide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madzia P Crossley
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5441, USA
| | - Michael Bocek
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5441, USA
| | - Karlene A Cimprich
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5441, USA.
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Tumini E, Herrera-Moyano E, San Martín-Alonso M, Barroso S, Galmarini CM, Aguilera A. The Antitumor Drugs Trabectedin and Lurbinectedin Induce Transcription-Dependent Replication Stress and Genome Instability. Mol Cancer Res 2018; 17:773-782. [PMID: 30552231 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-18-0575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
R-loops are a major source of replication stress, DNA damage, and genome instability, which are major hallmarks of cancer cells. Accordingly, growing evidence suggests that R-loops may also be related to cancer. Here we show that R-loops play an important role in the cellular response to trabectedin (ET743), an anticancer drug from marine origin and its derivative lurbinectedin (PM01183). Trabectedin and lurbinectedin induced RNA-DNA hybrid-dependent DNA damage in HeLa cells, causing replication impairment and genome instability. We also show that high levels of R-loops increase cell sensitivity to trabectedin. In addition, trabectedin led to transcription-dependent FANCD2 foci accumulation, which was suppressed by RNase H1 overexpression. In yeast, trabectedin and lurbinectedin increased the presence of Rad52 foci, a marker of DNA damage, in an R-loop-dependent manner. In addition to providing new insights into the mechanisms of action of these drugs, our study reveals that R-loops could be targeted by anticancer agents. Given the increasing evidence that R-loops occur all over the genome, the ability of lurbinectedin and trabectedin to act on them may contribute to enhance their efficacy, opening the possibility that R-loops might be a feature shared by specific cancers. IMPLICATIONS: The data presented in this study provide the new concept that R-loops are important cellular factors that contribute to trabectedin and lurbinectedin anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Tumini
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Emilia Herrera-Moyano
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Marta San Martín-Alonso
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Sonia Barroso
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.
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Chakraborty P, Huang JTJ, Hiom K. DHX9 helicase promotes R-loop formation in cells with impaired RNA splicing. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4346. [PMID: 30341290 PMCID: PMC6195550 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06677-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops are stable nucleic acid structures that have important physiological functions, but which also pose a significant threat to genomic stability. Increased R-loops cause replication stress and chromosome fragility and have been associated with diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer. Although excessive R-loops are a feature of cells that are defective in RNA processing, what causes them to form is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that DHX9 (RNA helicase A) promotes the formation of pathological and non-pathological R-loops. In the absence of splicing factors, formation of R-loops correlates with the prolonged association of DHX9 with RNA Polymerase II (RNA Pol II). This leads to the production of DNA–RNA hybrid, which traps RNA Pol II on chromatin with the potential to block DNA replication. Our data provide a molecular mechanism for the formation of R-loops that is relevant to neurodegenerative diseases and cancers in which deregulated RNA processing is a feature. Unresolved R-loops can represent a threat to genome stability. Here the authors reveal that DHX9 helicase can promote R-loop formation in the absence of splicing factors SFPQ and SF3B3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasun Chakraborty
- Division of Cellular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Jeffrey T J Huang
- Biomarker and Drug Analysis Core Facility, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Kevin Hiom
- Division of Cellular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK.
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41
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Owiti N, Wei S, Bhagwat AS, Kim N. Unscheduled DNA synthesis leads to elevated uracil residues at highly transcribed genomic loci in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007516. [PMID: 30016327 PMCID: PMC6063437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombination and mutagenesis are elevated by active transcription. The correlation between transcription and genome instability is largely explained by the topological and structural changes in DNA and the associated physical obstacles generated by the transcription machinery. However, such explanation does not directly account for the unique types of mutations originating from the non-canonical residues, uracil or ribonucleotide, which are also elevated at highly transcribed regions. Based on the previous findings that abasic (AP) lesions derived from the uracil residues incorporated into DNA in place of thymine constitute a major component of the transcription-associated mutations in yeast, we formed the hypothesis that DNA synthesis ensuing from the repair of the transcription-induced DNA damage provide the opportunity for uracil-incorporation. In support of this hypothesis, we show here the positive correlation between the level of transcription and the density of uracil residues in the yeast genome indirectly through the mutations generated by the glycosylase that excise undamaged cytosine as well as uracil. The higher uracil-density at actively transcribed regions is confirmed by the long-amplicon PCR analysis. We also show that the uracil-associated mutations at a highly transcribed region are elevated by the induced DNA damage and reduced by the overexpression of a dUTP-catalyzing enzyme Dut1 in G1- or G2-phases of the cell cycle. Overall, our results show that the DNA composition can be modified to include higher uracil-content through the non-replicative, repair-associated DNA synthesis. Uracil in DNA, a major source of spontaneous mutations, can occur through the deamination of cytosine residues or through the direct incorporation of dUTP by DNA polymerases. Recent studies in yeast have shown that the uracil-associated mutations occur more frequently at highly transcribed regions. Because the reduction in dUTP pool decreased these mutations, it was postulated that the extent of uracil-incorporation into DNA is significantly affected by the local transcription activity. We show here that the higher transcription rate does correlate with the higher uracil-density in the yeast genome. We further provide multiple lines of evidence supporting a model of uracil-incorporation into DNA that is dependent on the repair synthesis of transcription-associated DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah Owiti
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX United States of America
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX United States of America
| | - Shanqiao Wei
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI United States of America
| | - Ashok S. Bhagwat
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, Immunology and Microbiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI United States of America
| | - Nayun Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX United States of America
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX United States of America
- * E-mail:
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42
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Abstract
Supercoiling is a fundamental property of DNA, generated by polymerases and other DNA-binding proteins as a consequence of separating/bending the DNA double helix. DNA supercoiling plays a key role in gene expression and genome organization, but has proved difficult to study in eukaryotes because of the large, complex and chromatinized genomes. Key approaches to study DNA supercoiling in eukaryotes are (1) centrifugation-based or electrophoresis-based techniques in which supercoiled plasmids extracted from eukaryotic cells form a compacted writhed structure that migrates at a rate proportional to the level of DNA supercoiling; (2) in vivo approaches based on the preferential intercalation of psoralen molecules into under-wound DNA. Here, we outline the principles behind these techniques and discuss key discoveries, which have confirmed the presence and functional potential of unconstrained DNA supercoiling in eukaryotic genomes.
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García-Rubio M, Aguilera P, Lafuente-Barquero J, Ruiz JF, Simon MN, Geli V, Rondón AG, Aguilera A. Yra1-bound RNA-DNA hybrids cause orientation-independent transcription-replication collisions and telomere instability. Genes Dev 2018; 32:965-977. [PMID: 29954833 PMCID: PMC6075034 DOI: 10.1101/gad.311274.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
R loops are an important source of genome instability, largely due to their negative impact on replication progression. Yra1/ALY is an abundant RNA-binding factor conserved from yeast to humans and required for mRNA export, but its excess causes lethality and genome instability. Here, we show that, in addition to ssDNA and ssRNA, Yra1 binds RNA-DNA hybrids in vitro and, when artificially overexpressed, can be recruited to chromatin in an RNA-DNA hybrid-dependent manner, stabilizing R loops and converting them into replication obstacles in vivo. Importantly, an excess of Yra1 increases R-loop-mediated genome instability caused by transcription-replication collisions regardless of whether they are codirectional or head-on. It also induces telomere shortening in telomerase-negative cells and accelerates senescence, consistent with a defect in telomere replication. Our results indicate that RNA-DNA hybrids form transiently in cells regardless of replication and, after stabilization by excess Yra1, compromise genome integrity, in agreement with a two-step model of R-loop-mediated genome instability. This work opens new perspectives to understand transcription-associated genome instability in repair-deficient cells, including tumoral cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- María García-Rubio
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Paula Aguilera
- Marseille Cancer Research Center (CRCM), U1068, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), UMR7258, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Aix Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Equipe Labellisée Ligue, 13273 Marseille, France
| | - Juan Lafuente-Barquero
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - José F Ruiz
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Marie-Noelle Simon
- Marseille Cancer Research Center (CRCM), U1068, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), UMR7258, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Aix Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Equipe Labellisée Ligue, 13273 Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Geli
- Marseille Cancer Research Center (CRCM), U1068, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), UMR7258, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Aix Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Equipe Labellisée Ligue, 13273 Marseille, France
| | - Ana G Rondón
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Andalusian Center of Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
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44
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Lang KS, Merrikh H. The Clash of Macromolecular Titans: Replication-Transcription Conflicts in Bacteria. Annu Rev Microbiol 2018; 72:71-88. [PMID: 29856930 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-090817-062514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Within the last decade, it has become clear that DNA replication and transcription are routinely in conflict with each other in growing cells. Much of the seminal work on this topic has been carried out in bacteria, specifically, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis; therefore, studies of conflicts in these species deserve special attention. Collectively, the recent findings on conflicts have fundamentally changed the way we think about DNA replication in vivo. Furthermore, new insights on this topic have revealed that the conflicts between replication and transcription significantly influence many key parameters of cellular function, including genome organization, mutagenesis, and evolution of stress response and virulence genes. In this review, we discuss the consequences of replication-transcription conflicts on the life of bacteria and describe some key strategies cells use to resolve them. We put special emphasis on two critical aspects of these encounters: ( a) the consequences of conflicts on replisome stability and dynamics, and ( b) the resulting increase in spontaneous mutagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S Lang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA;
| | - Houra Merrikh
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA; .,Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, USA
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45
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Tan CSH, Go KD, Bisteau X, Dai L, Yong CH, Prabhu N, Ozturk MB, Lim YT, Sreekumar L, Lengqvist J, Tergaonkar V, Kaldis P, Sobota RM, Nordlund P. Thermal proximity coaggregation for system-wide profiling of protein complex dynamics in cells. Science 2018; 359:1170-1177. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aan0346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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46
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Abstract
Topoisomerase I (Top1) resolves torsional stress that accumulates during transcription, replication and chromatin remodeling by introducing a transient single-strand break in DNA. The cleavage activity of Top1 has opposing roles, either promoting or destabilizing genome integrity depending on the context. Resolution of transcription-associated negative supercoils, for example, prevents pairing of the nascent RNA with the DNA template (R-loops) as well as DNA secondary structure formation. Reduced Top1 levels thus enhance CAG repeat contraction, somatic hypermutation, and class switch recombination. Actively transcribed ribosomal DNA is also destabilized in the absence of Top1, reflecting the importance of Top1 in ensuring efficient transcription. In terms of promoting genome instability, an aborted Top1 catalytic cycle stimulates deletions at short tandem repeats and the enzyme's transesterification activity supports illegitimate recombination. Finally, Top1 incision at ribonucleotides embedded in DNA generates deletions in tandem repeats, and induces gross chromosomal rearrangements and mitotic recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jang-Eun Cho
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, CARL 384, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Sue Jinks-Robertson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, CARL 384, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
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Boulianne B, Feldhahn N. Transcribing malignancy: transcription-associated genomic instability in cancer. Oncogene 2017; 37:971-981. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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48
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Salas-Armenteros I, Pérez-Calero C, Bayona-Feliu A, Tumini E, Luna R, Aguilera A. Human THO-Sin3A interaction reveals new mechanisms to prevent R-loops that cause genome instability. EMBO J 2017; 36:3532-3547. [PMID: 29074626 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201797208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loops, formed by co-transcriptional DNA-RNA hybrids and a displaced DNA single strand (ssDNA), fulfill certain positive regulatory roles but are also a source of genomic instability. One key cellular mechanism to prevent R-loop accumulation centers on the conserved THO/TREX complex, an RNA-binding factor involved in transcription elongation and RNA export that contributes to messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) assembly, but whose precise function is still unclear. To understand how THO restrains harmful R-loops, we searched for new THO-interacting factors. We found that human THO interacts with the Sin3A histone deacetylase complex to suppress co-transcriptional R-loops, DNA damage, and replication impairment. Functional analyses show that histone hypo-acetylation prevents accumulation of harmful R-loops and RNA-mediated genomic instability. Diminished histone deacetylase activity in THO- and Sin3A-depleted cell lines correlates with increased R-loop formation, genomic instability, and replication fork stalling. Our study thus uncovers physical and functional crosstalk between RNA-binding factors and chromatin modifiers with a major role in preventing R-loop formation and RNA-mediated genome instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Salas-Armenteros
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Carmen Pérez-Calero
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Aleix Bayona-Feliu
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Emanuela Tumini
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Rosa Luna
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Pablo de Olavide-Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
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Sakasai R, Isono M, Wakasugi M, Hashimoto M, Sunatani Y, Matsui T, Shibata A, Matsunaga T, Iwabuchi K. Aquarius is required for proper CtIP expression and homologous recombination repair. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13808. [PMID: 29061988 PMCID: PMC5653829 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13695-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that transcription is closely related to DNA damage formation and that the loss of RNA biogenesis factors causes genome instability. However, whether such factors are involved in DNA damage responses remains unclear. We focus here on the RNA helicase Aquarius (AQR), a known R-loop processing factor, and show that its depletion in human cells results in the accumulation of DNA damage during S phase, mediated by R-loop formation. We investigated the involvement of Aquarius in DNA damage responses and found that AQR knockdown decreased DNA damage-induced foci formation of Rad51 and replication protein A, suggesting that Aquarius contributes to homologous recombination (HR)-mediated repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Interestingly, the protein level of CtIP, a DSB processing factor, was decreased in AQR-knockdown cells. Exogenous expression of Aquarius partially restored CtIP protein level; however, CtIP overproduction did not rescue defective HR in AQR-knockdown cells. In accordance with these data, Aquarius depletion sensitized cells to genotoxic agents. We propose that Aquarius contributes to the maintenance of genomic stability via regulation of HR by CtIP-dependent and -independent pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Sakasai
- Department of Biochemistry I, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Mayu Isono
- Education and Research Support Center, Gunma University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Wakasugi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | | | - Yumi Sunatani
- Department of Biochemistry I, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tadashi Matsui
- Department of Biochemistry I, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shibata
- Education and Research Support Center, Gunma University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Matsunaga
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kuniyoshi Iwabuchi
- Department of Biochemistry I, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan.
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50
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D'Alessandro G, d'Adda di Fagagna F. Transcription and DNA Damage: Holding Hands or Crossing Swords? J Mol Biol 2017; 429:3215-3229. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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